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Keeping families near to each other and the care they need, when they need it most.

A Note From the CEO

Dear Friends,

This year is a big one for us at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois as we celebrate our 40th anniversary! Since opening our doors, we’ve been here for families facing some of the toughest times in their lives. Thanks to your generosity and support, we’ve built something truly special—a legacy of compassion, comfort, and care.

But our story doesn’t stop here. The next chapter of RMHC-EIWI is already in motion. We are committed to finding new and better ways to care for families, today, tomorrow and well into the future. With your continued support, we’ll grow our impact, evolve our services, and keep the heart of our mission alive.

From our family to yours, thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to 40 years of love and to the many years to come.

With gratitude,

Shannon Greene Chief Executive Officer

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois

Family Spotlight

The

Weiss Family

When Jesse Weiss was just six years old, his family left their home in New Jersey and traveled hundreds of miles to Iowa, searching for hope. Jesse had been diagnosed with Basilar Invagination, a rare and serious condition where the top of the spine presses into the base of the skull. Few hospitals in the country could manage such a complex case, but the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics offered a path forward.

After undergoing surgery, Jesse and his family faced two long months away from home. That’s when the Ronald McDonald House of Iowa City became their refuge. For Jesse, it was more than a place to stay. He remembers laughter, board games, and staff members who stayed late just to play with him, helping him feel like a kid again during a very uncertain time.

Twelve years later, Jesse returned, not as a patient, but as University of Iowa student, determined to give back to RMHC-EIWI. First as a volunteer and then as a staff member, he offered the same comfort and compassion his family had once received. In a powerful fullcircle moment, Jesse even reunited with the surgeon who had given him his future.

Today, Jesse is married, thriving in the medical field, and living a life shaped by compassion, gratitude, and purpose.

This is the power of your generosity. Because of supporters like you, families like Jesse’s find more than shelter, they

A Mission Born from a Simple Idea

The Ronald McDonald House story began in Philadelphia in 1973, when Fred Hill of the Philadelphia Eagles and his wife learned their daughter was battling leukemia. During her treatment, they recognized how difficult it was for families to stay close to their hospitalized children. With the support of the Eagles, doctors, and the local McDonald’s franchise, the first “Ronald McDonald House” was created as a comforting place where families could find rest, meals, and community while focusing on what mattered most—their child’s healing.

That single idea sparked a movement. Today, there are more than 300 Ronald McDonald Houses worldwide, each operates as a private 501(c)3 united under one mission: supporting families with sick and injured children.

Celebrating our History

In 1985, that mission took root in Eastern Iowa. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois (RMHC-EIWI) opened its doors in Iowa City with a “home-away-fromhome” for families with sick children.

Nestled on the University of Iowa campus, the House quickly became more than just a place to sleep. Families were welcomed with homecooked meals, cozy spaces to relax, play areas for children and most important a community of others who understood the emotional journey of caring for a seriously ill child.

From One House to a Regional Lifeline

The Story of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois

As the needs of families evolved, so did RMHC-EIWI. We recognized the importance of supporting families not only near the hospital, but within it. This insight led to the creation of Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, welcoming spaces inside hospitals where parents can rest and recharge, just steps away from their child’s bedside.

Today, RMHC-EIWI operates Family Rooms at UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids and University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital in Iowa City. Our hospital based “Snacks on the House” program distributes over 40,000 snacks each year to families throughout the pediatric floors. Over the past four decades, RMHC-EIWI has grown from a single House in Iowa City into a regional network of support, making sure families never feel alone during a child’s treatment.

The image below shows the first Ronald McDonald House, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, near the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

Like many nonprofits, RMHC-EIWI faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person fundraising events and volunteer programs were paused, but our mission never wavered.

Today, that commitment is stronger than ever. The Ronald McDonald House of Iowa City continues to offer a warm, welcoming space with overnight accommodation, meals, play areas and communal spaces. Meanwhile, our in-hospital Ronald McDonald Family Rooms

Looking Ahead

As RMHC-EIWI marks 40 years of impact, our focus is firmly on the future, growing our programs, strengthening relationships with donors and partners, and ensuring every family has a place to find comfort and support. From our modest start in 1985 to today’s multiple locations, the story is one of resilience, generosity, and power of community.

At the heart of it all is a simple truth: when a child is sick or injured, a child heals best with

Volunteer Spotlight Jeff and Audrey Knox

For Jeff and Audrey Knox, volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House has become more than just a way to give back, it’s a shared joy. Jeff was the first to get involved after chatting with friends about their own experiences helping families at the House. When Audrey saw how much he enjoyed it, she decided to tag along one day, and the rest is history.

“We thoroughly enjoyed doing this together,” they shared. “We’d both volunteered in the community before, but this was something we could experience side by side. Meeting families from all over the world and hearing their stories has been so meaningful.”

Over time, volunteering together has given them a new shared focus and deepened their connection not only to each other, but also to the RMHC-EIWI community. “We started noticing things the other person missed, and we’ve made wonderful friends among other volunteers and staff,” they said. “It continues to be a great experience for us.”

Their advice for new volunteers?

“Get the lay of the land! Observe, be friendly, take a tour, and see what’s expected. It’s a wonderful sense of family and a lot of fun!”

Both retired teachers, Jeff and Audrey love traveling, visiting friends and family, playing cards, and taking walks, but their favorite shared pastime just might be spending time together at the Ronald McDonald House, where every shift is a chance to make someone’s day a little brighter.

2024 Mission Impact

434 families welcomed for residential hospitality

Incalculable cups of coffee & loads of laundry

11,739 cost-free nights of care for families

1,094 meals served to children & families

26,069 family room visits 739 volunteers & 5,219 hours of service

The invaluable support of our community of care

$2.9M cost savings to families for meals & lodging alone

Guest family hometowns 74 Iowa Counties, 7 Illinois Counties, 20 U.S. States, and 5 Countries

Constance Mithelman Chief Operations

Officer

For Constance Mithelman, service isn’t just a job, it’s her calling. With family and friends who had turned to Ronald McDonald House Charities during challenging times, she saw firsthand the comfort and care the organization provides. “How couldn’t you be inspired to join?” she reflects.

As part of the RMHC-EIWI team, Constance focuses on ensuring the Ronald McDonald House and Family Rooms are places of rest and comfort. From making sure facilities run smoothly to stepping in when unexpected challenges arise, her goal is to minimize stress for families already facing so much. “They already have so much on their plate,” she says. “I want RMHC to be a restful environment so they can pour everything into getting their kiddos home.”

Every day brings a reminder of how meaningful her work is. On her drive in, Constance often thinks about the families she’ll encounter, some celebrating the best day of their lives, others navigating the hardest. She considers it one of her greatest honors to walk alongside them, offering support whether the news is good or difficult.

The generosity of families never ceases to amaze her. She recalls a NICU farm family donating an entire cow to help feed guests, a PICU family returning from Costco with supplies for others, and alumni families who ask birthday guests to bring donations instead of gifts. Each story reinforces the powerful circle of giving at RMHC.

Outside of work, Constance enjoys time with her family and their dog, Happy. She loves being outdoors, whether on a walk or relaxing on a patio. And though both she and her husband grew up in Iowa, many are surprised to learn they first met while living in San Diego.

For Constance, RMHC-EIWI’s mission is essential. “When you have a sick or injured child, your world comes to a screeching halt. Our job is to lift some of the burden whether through a bed, a meal, or even a blanket so families can focus entirely on their child.”

And though she gives so much of herself to this work, Constance says she always walks away feeling like she receives far more in return.

Thank You

for

Helping Keep Families Close

To

our generous donors,

Your kindness and support continue to make a lasting difference for families facing one of the hardest times in their lives. Because of you, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois can offer more than just a place to stay. We offer comfort, hope, and the healing power of togetherness.

Whether it’s a warm meal, a quiet place to rest, or simply being near their child during treatment, you help make it all possible.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for helping us keep families close when it matters most.

With gratitude, All of

Ways to Give

Donate On Our Website

To make a one-time donation or become a recurring donor, please visit us at:

rmhc-eiwi.org/donate-online

Donate Via Check

To send a gift by mail, please make your check out to RMHC-EIWI and mail it to us at: 730 Hawkins Drive Iowa City, IA 52246

Volunteer

Volunteers are essential to our mission. We rely on our volunteers to help keep our Ronald McDonald House a clean, warm, and welcoming place for families. For more information on how to get involved. Visit rmhc-eiwi.org/get-involved/volunteer/

Prepare a Meal

Bring your group to prepare a meal at the Ronald McDonald House in Iowa City, or at the Ronald McDonald Family Room at UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids.

Sponsor a Meal

If you would like to help, but can’t make it in person, please consider sponsoring a meal. Your gift of $250 will provide a delicious meal for families to enjoy. Our staff will take care of all the arrangements.

Casserole Club

Come in during the day and prepare casseroles for us to provide when we don’t have an evening volunteer meal group. You pick the casserole recipe, bring the ingredients to one of our locations, and prepare the casserole on site.

Interested in providing meals or casseroles for our families? Please visit us at:

rmhc-eiwi.org/volunteer-mealopportunities/index.php?signup_id=5855

When you follow Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois (RMHC-EIWI) on social media, you’re helping more than you know. Every like, share, and comment, helps raise awareness,and supports families.

www.instagram.com/rmhc.eiwi www.facebook.com/rmhc.eiwi

Have you joined us at an event? We would love to see it!

Share your photos, tag us, and show the heart behind the mission. Your moments help tell our story and inspire others to get involved.