The Ronald McDonald House® in Springfield, Illinois, opened its doors
on February 15, 1986. In 2014, the House underwent the "Labor of Love"
expansion and renovation project and reopened in October 2014.
Located in the heart of Springfield’s medical community, we help families stay close to their children while they receive medical care.
We're here to offer a good night's sleep, a hot meal, and everything
needed to keep the lives of the parents as simple and stress-free as
possible while they tend to the important task at hand - devoting all
their love, support, and energy to helping their child get well.
We have a fully equipped kitchen, comfortable living and dining
common areas, a laundry room, 14 bedrooms each with a private bath, and
many other amenities. A large pantry is always stocked with food
available to all families at no charge, and guests have access to their own food storage.
Ronald McDonald House Central Illinois is a local nonprofit organization supported by a dedicated staff and a volunteer Board of Directors made up of local healthcare professionals, McDonald’s Owner/Operators, and community business and civic leaders.
Milestones:
1981 - Research shows that an average of 45 children
from outside the Springfield, IL area are being admitted each day to
Springfield hospitals.
1982 - The Junior League of Springfield begins working with local citizens to establish a Ronald McDonald House in Springfield.
1984 - A capital fundraising campaign begins for a Ronald McDonald House in Springfield.
1985 - $550,000 is raised in a capital campaign,
land is leased from St. John's Hospital, and groundbreaking for a 6,500
square foot building with eight guest rooms occurs.
1986 - Ronald McDonald House in Springfield opens in February.
1993 - The "Springfield Ronald McDonald House"
officially becomes "Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois" and starts offering grants to non-profits whose programs
directly improve the health and well-being of children.
2001 - The Springfield House undergoes a remodel with a 4,470-square-foot addition, adding four bedrooms and bathrooms, expanding the kitchen, dining area, and lower level, and adding an elevator.
2006 - The Board of Directors votes to waive the fee for families to stay at the House.
2011 - Celebrates 25 years of serving families.
2012 - An outdoor area at the Springfield House is created as a playground for children of all abilities and dedicated to Tess Drainer. The organization also adopts its first strategic plan, outlining goals for the next three years to expand programs and serve more families.
2014 - First-ever complete remodel of the 28-year-old house. Two bedrooms are added, bringing the total to 14 bedrooms, and major
updates are given to the kitchen and common areas.