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Our History

Always growing thanks to dedicated volunteers, generous donors and committed staff

1974

The very first Ronald McDonald House opens on October 15, 1974 in Philadelphia with the help of Dr. Audrey Evans, a pediatric oncologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

February 13, 1985

With eight bedrooms and a staff of one, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas opens its doors and begins providing lodging and services to families with critically ill and injured children.

1989

The Ronald McDonald House moves to 15th Street and Trinity and expands to 13 rooms.
bandana ball flyer closeup

1989

RMHC Austin hosts the first Bandana Ball at the Austin Opera House. Organized as one of the biggest country western parties in Austin, the Bandana Ball put a new twist on fundraisers by encouraging guests to wear their best cowboy outfits. Over 500 people attended the inaugural event and $68,000 was raised to support RMHC Austin’s program.
historic photo of very first Ronald mcdonald house

1974

The very first Ronald McDonald House opens on October 15, 1974 in Philadelphia with the help of Dr. Audrey Evans, a pediatric oncologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
historic photo of original ronald mcdonald house charities of austin and central texas

February 13, 1985

With eight bedrooms and a staff of one, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas opens its doors and begins providing lodging and services to families with critically ill and injured children.
historic photo of second location of RMHC central texas

1989

The Ronald McDonald House moves to 15th Street and Trinity and expands to 13 rooms.
bandana ball flyer closeup

1989

RMHC Austin hosts the first Bandana Ball at the Austin Opera House. Organized as one of the biggest country western parties in Austin, the Bandana Ball put a new twist on fundraisers by encouraging guests to wear their best cowboy outfits. Over 500 people attended the inaugural event and $68,000 was raised to support RMHC Austin’s program.

1993

RMHC Austin begins helping families who have lost children through the Healing Hearts program.
lights of love 5k flyer closeup

2007

RMHC Austin hosts the first annual Lights of Love 5K in the Mueller neighborhood. Organized to kick-off the season, the Lights of Love 5K brought family, friends and our community together in a fun-holiday inspired event that supported our families.

2007

In December, the new Ronald McDonald House opens next door to Dell Children’s Medical Center and more than doubled in capacity. The new 30,000 square foot building features 30 guest suites, and is the first Platinum LEED RMH in the world.
friends of the house two young professionals and members of friends of the house organization

2008

Friends of the House, a network of passionate young professionals dedicated to helping families served by RMHC Austin, is formed. Through networking, fundraising and volunteerism, Friends of the House is raising the bar for young professional philanthropy in Austin.

May 2009

The first Ronald McDonald Family Room in Austin opens at St. David’s Women’s Center of Texas.

September 2011

The second Ronald McDonald Family Room opens at Dell Children’s Medical Center with two sleep rooms.

July 2012

Austin’s third Ronald McDonald Family Room with four sleep rooms opens at St. David’s Medical Center.
young sibling sisters smiling together

2013

A record 1,700 families are cared for through the Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Rooms and Healing Hearts program. Over 8,100 room nights were provided to families and over 31,000 visits were made to the three Family Rooms. The Healing Hearts program provided burial assistance to 143 families.

2014

RMHC Austin officially becomes Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas.
RMHC CTX wins eBay Small Business Challenge and teams with a group of eBay professionals to redesign the website.

June 2014

RMHC CTX wins eBay Small Business Challenge and teams with a group of eBay professionals to redesign the website. The Small Business Challenge gives employees at eBay an opportunity to give back to their community and partner with nonprofits to identify issues, solve challenges and improve processes.

October 2014

JE Dunn Construction, CasaBella Architects, 360 Electrical, Dynamic Systems, Texas Fixtures and a generous supporter of RMHC CTX all came together to help us install kitchenettes in two guest suites. These enhanced guest suites will provide additional privacy and comfort to families who have children in long-term treatment.

February 2015

Complete with birthday cake, balloons, family fun and music, RMHC CTX celebrated its 30th birthday on February 22 at the Ronald McDonald House. Community friends, partners, volunteers and former families joined the celebration as we honored our heritage and three decades of caring for families with hospitalized children.

May 2015

The Ronald McDonald Family Room at Seton Medical Center is the fourth Family Room to open in Central Texas and has four sleep rooms.
RMHC CTX officially announces expansion of our services in the Brazos Valley.

May 2015

RMHC CTX officially announces expansion of our services in the Brazos Valley.

March 2016

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas celebrates the opening of its fifth Ronald McDonald Family Room at CHI St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital with two sleep rooms.
RMHC CTX launches the Healing Hearts program in Brazos Valley and unveils the Healing Hearts memorial garden at St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

July 2016

RMHC CTX launches the Healing Hearts program in Brazos Valley and unveils the Healing Hearts memorial garden at St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

August 2016

The Ronald McDonald Family Room expands at St. David’s Women Center of Texas by adding four sleep rooms.

January 2018

A second Ronald McDonald Family Room opens at College Station Medical Center in the Brazos Valley with two sleep rooms.