Ronald McDonald House®

The Ronald McDonald House® of Southwest Florida is a “home-away-from-home” for families of seriously ill or injured children, receiving medical treatment at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida or other local medical facilities.


The Ronald McDonald House helps loved ones remain together as a family in an environment of comfort, compassion, strength, and support. Serving families who must travel far from home, the House is much more than a room to stay in. It provides support and resources for families with sick children just steps from the hospital. The Ronald McDonald House offers a place to call home at little or no cost so families can stay together. Since 1996, thousands of families have stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in Fort Myers. Our 24/7 facility has private bedroom suites with bath, fully stocked kitchen, dining room, living room, and laundry room.

We are conveniently located adjacent to Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida on the Lee Memorial Health System’s HealthPark campus in South Fort Myers (off of Bass Road). We are staffed with a full time Executive Director, Marketing Director, Administrative Manager, Volunteer Manager and House Manager. A Weekend Manager serves from 5:00 pm each Friday through 5:00 pm Sunday. We also have an ever-growing army of amazing volunteers.

Families are asked for a modest donation of $10 per day to cover a small portion of the actual cost of the stay. However, no one is ever turned away because of an inability to pay.

Take a virtual tour of our House! 

 

 

 


What else does the House have to offer?

  • Information Board: Residents are kept up-to-date with the daily postings of House activities.
  • Food/Meals: We have a kitchen and pantry, both well-stocked with donated and purchased food for our families. We make an effort to provide a hot meal every evening. (On evenings a meal is not prepared, residents are encouraged to make use of our kitchen facilities and make themselves something.)
  • Transportation: Golisano Children’s Hospital provides a courtesy shuttle service which runs continuously Monday thru Friday.
  • Security: Cameras monitor the House 24 hours a day. The House is staffed daily from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. The House/Resident Manager (or Weekend Manager) remains on-site and on-call from 9:00 pm to 9:00 am, seven days a week.
  • Telephone: Each resident room has a telephone equipped with voicemail.
  • Entertainment: Cable TV is provided in the dining room and cable TV and a DVD player are provided in the living room.
  • Internet Access: For those with their own computer, wireless internet is available free of charge.
  • Laundry: Residents have free use of our washers and dryers. There is access to the laundry room from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm. Residents are expected to launder their bed linens and towels during their stay. Laundry soap and dryer sheets are provided.
  • Living Room: Cable TV and a DVD player are provided in the living room. There is space available for puzzles, reading and more.

Research shows that RMHC and the Ronald McDonald House program:

  • Supports a family’s psychological well-being by keeping them close together and providing emotional and physical comfort and support.
  • Enhances the hospital experience for the child and the family.
  • Helps alleviate the financial stress of accommodation needs.
  • Results in better sleep quality for parents which gives them the rest they need to make critical decisions related to their child’s care.
  • Helps families cope better and focus on the needs of their sick child when they have support from family members and other families.
  • Gives families who stay at a Ronald McDonald House are a better perceived quality of life.

If you think you may need the Ronald McDonald House, please click here to see how to stay!


Come Visit and Help Out! 

Please take a look at the many ways you may support us including VolunteeringWish List, Donations, and Family Meal Program. We need you. Your support is vital and appreciated by all those who enter our House.

The Ronald McDonald House is open daily from 9:00 am until 9:00 pm. If you are interested in having a tour of the House, you may schedule it in advance by contacting us at 239-437-0202. RMHC of Southwest Florida asks that all visitors and volunteers who demonstrate symptoms of illness reschedule their visit until they are symptom free.