WASHINGTON, June 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Greater Washington, DC (RMHCDC) is proud to celebrate 45 years of providing comfort, compassion, and critical resources to families with children facing serious medical conditions. Since opening its doors in 1980, RMHCDC has helped remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing through no-cost housing, meals, family-centered care programs, and access to local medical support.

Founded by Carey and Don Randall in honor of their son Rick, the Washington, DC chapter became the 16th Ronald McDonald House in the nation. What began as a modest effort to provide a “home-away-from-home” has grown into a lifeline for thousands of families navigating pediatric medical crises.

Timeline of RMHCDC Milestones:

• 1978: Ronald McDonald House of Washington, DC is incorporated as a nonprofit with support from the Greater Washington Advertising Cooperative of the McDonald’s Corporation.
• June 6, 1980: The original Ronald McDonald House of Washington, DC opens its doors, becoming the 16th House nationwide. The day is proclaimed “Ronald McDonald House Day“.
• 1995: The organization merges with Ronald McDonald House Charities to become Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Greater Washington, DC (RMHCDC).
• 1998: RMHCDC opens the Ronald McDonald House of Northern Virginia on the Inova Fairfax Hospital campus to meet growing regional demand.
• 2006: A capital campaign is launched to relocate the DC House program to a larger building near the Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC.
• 2010: The Red Shoe 5K is introduced as RMHCDC’s signature annual fundraising event.
• 2011: The Ronald McDonald House of Washington, DC relocates to a new location featuring 25 rooms—including four isolation suites for immunocompromised patients—and is certified LEED Gold for sustainable design.
• 2020–2021: RMHCDC completes renovations to increase capacity, expanding the DC House to 32 rooms and the Northern Virginia House to 24 rooms.

Today, RMHCDC operates two Ronald McDonald House programs—one in Washington, DC, and one in Northern Virginia—providing a supportive and healing environment for families at no cost during their child’s treatment.

To learn more or support RMHCDC’s mission, visit www.rmhcdc.org.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, D.C. 

Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Greater Washington, DC (RMHCDC), a non-profit, 501 (C) (3), EIN #52-1132262, provides essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare. Through two Ronald McDonald House® programs, RMHCDC keeps families with sick children together and close to the medical care their child needs at leading local hospitals. RMHCDC programs provide access to quality health care and enable family-centered care, ensuring families are fully supported and actively involved in their children’s care. For more information, visit rmhcdc.org. 

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Facebook.com/RMHCofDC – X.com/RMHCDC – Instagram.com/RMHCDC

CONTACTS:   Omar Linton – RMHCDC – 202-529-8204, [email protected]

SOURCE Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, DC