Impact & Financials

2024: A Year of Comfort, Care and Community

little girl painting pumpkin in a wheelchair.

Click to download the 2024 Impact Report.

A warm meal. A place to rest. A moment of relief during uncertainty. For thousands of families facing the unimaginable, these small comforts make a world of difference. Whether it was a meal that allowed a parent to stay by their child’s side, a quiet place to recharge after a long day at the hospital, or a comforting resource during a difficult time, RMHC Northeast Ohio was there—when and where families needed us most.

In 2024, the Ronald McDonald House programs in Akron and Cleveland provided over 28,000 nights of rest to 1,250 families. These families traveled from 16 countries, 42 states, and 80 different Ohio counties to access the care their children needed—without worrying about where they would stay or how they would afford it. While some traveled long distances, others were from right here in Northeast Ohio, with the top 10 counties by nights stayed including Mahoning, Stark, Trumbull, and Cuyahoga.

Four children playing a game on a bed Support extended beyond our Houses, as our Ronald McDonald Family Room programs welcomed 4,764 families for a total of 31,636 visits. These spaces within hospitals provided vital moments of rest and relief, with families making use of:

21,826 kitchenette visits
1,869 showers
2,103 loads of laundry
298 overnight respite stays
72 celebrations and activities

Our Ronald McDonald STAR Programs continued to grow, serving 1,852 families.

Happy Wheels Hospitality Carts delivered 38,745 comfort and care items directly to children and caregivers in hospitals, ensuring families had access to small but meaningful moments of comfort right at their child’s bedside.

RedTreehouse.org, our online family resource link, helped 12,768 unique visitors find essential support and guidance throughout their healthcare journeys.

Meals remain at the heart of what we do, giving parents the strength to focus on their child’s care. In 2024, we provided 118,342 meals—including lunches, dinners, continental breakfasts, snacks, fresh fruit, baked goods, coffee, tea, milk, and juice—at our Houses, Family Rooms, and hospital locations.

Three individuals preparing a meal in kitchen

None of this would be possible without the dedication of 376 volunteers, who contributed 40,016 hours of service. Their efforts included:

513 meal, chore, and activity groups
103 pet therapy visits
66 musical performances

The impact of our programs is fueled by ongoing community support. Thanks to the generosity of individuals, corporations, foundations, McDonald’s restaurants and customers, and more, we are able to provide these essential services at no charge to families.