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Frequently Asked Questions

Who can stay at the Ronald McDonald House?
The immediate family (mother, father, siblings), living a minimum of 15 miles from the hospital, of any seriously ill or injured child (21 or younger), is eligible to request to become one of our residents.
We request a modest donation of $10.00 per night to cover a small portion of the actual cost of your stay. No one is ever turned away because of inability to pay.
We are located on the campus of Golisano Children’s Hospital at HealthPark. It’s a short walk to the hospital but there is a shuttle service offered for your convenience.
Eligible families will typically live a minimum of 15 miles away from HealthPark Hospital.
No, family income is not a qualification for admission.
We always do our best to accommodate as many families as possible. All of our room assignments begin with a doctor, nurse or medical social worker referral. However, we frequently receive more referrals than we have rooms available. Families are notified when (if) a room becomes available for them. We do not accept reservations.
Families are required to complete our check-in process. During check-in they will review our House rules and responsibilities, discuss check-out procedures, become familiar with House staff and be given the story/fact sheet of Ronald McDonald House. A House tour will be given and they will be given a key to their private room. Once check-in is completed, families are able to return to the hospital, relax in their room, enjoy a meal in the dining room, or spend time in any of the common areas within the House.
A family is eligible to stay at our House as long as their child is receiving medical treatment. Depending on the child’s illness and treatment, stays may last from a few days to several months and in extreme cases extend to a year or more.
The Ronald McDonald House provides a “home-away-from-home” for families in a clean, affordable, comfortable and supportive environment while keeping them near their hospitalized child.
We have a large, communal kitchen and pantry, both well stocked with food for our residents. Families share a refrigerator for their personal items and each family has a cupboard where their personal food may be stored. A meal is provided most nights, but, not guaranteed. Weather permitting, Golisano Children’s Hospital provides a courtesy shuttle service that runs continuously Monday through Friday from 8:30 am until 3:30 pm.
No. However, we encourage families to relax and enjoy the large screen televisions in our living room and dining room.
Yes, each room has a full, private bathroom.
Each room may accommodate up to four immediate (mother, father, siblings) family members.
No, we are a children’s charity and we are not permitted to accommodate the families of those with children (or other family members) over the age of 21.
To stay at our House, a family must be referred by their doctor, nurse or hospital social worker. We prefer the family speak to their social worker/medical personnel, who will then contact us should they feel the family qualifies to stay here. To find the specific social worker assigned to the patient, please contact the hospital directly.
Visitors are welcome seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the common areas of the House. The children living at Ronald McDonald House are medically fragile and highly susceptible to infections. Any person who has a physical condition that would endanger the health of our other guests (cold, flu, chicken pox, stomach virus, fever, etc.) should not visit our House.

No need! Fresh bed linens and towels are provided for all families through our linen service, so you can focus on your loved one.

No. All families are expected, on a daily basis, to keep their rooms clean. Families are also asked to thoroughly clean their room before leaving the House and returning home. Residents are also expected to help keep the communal areas of our House clean and well maintained.
No. Any child under the age of 18 must be supervised by their parent (or legal guardian) at all times. Your child may not be left alone in the House, with another parent staying at our House or with siblings or other family and friends.

Each room has two queen size beds, nightstand, dresser, desk and chair, full private bathroom and closet space.

Smoking is not permitted anywhere in our House or on our grounds.
The House is open 24 hours a day for families staying here to come and go. Quiet hours are between 9:00 pm and 9:00 am.
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