Impact & Financials

2023: Our Continuum of Care Inspires Hope

Family of four smiling, cover of the 2023 Impact Report

Download and read the report.

To inspire hope when and where families need it most.

In 2023, this vision came to life for many families touched by the continuum of care we provided throughout Northeast Ohio. Whether it was having a place to lay their heads at the end of a stressful day, a fresh lunch arriving so they could eat without leaving their child’s bedside, or resources that addressed new challenges and concerns, thousands of families experienced moments of care, relief, and hope when and where they needed it most.

Nearly 26,000 families were served by RMHC NEO programs in 2023, 14,666 of those via in-person programs and another 11,304 through online resources. More than 1,200 families called either the Akron or Cleveland Ronald McDonald House home for a total of 22,011 nights of rest. These guests were able to access care for their children without worrying about where they would stay or how they would pay for it, traveling from 13 countries, 43 states, and 68 different Ohio counties.

Dad anch three children enjoy boxed lunches and games at table in hospital family room Although not all families traveled far for treatment, any distance feels too far when you have an ill or injured child. Gratefully, we were able to support many families right in the hospital, serving 4,226 families who visited Ronald McDonald Family Room locations more than 30,000 times.

2023 was also marked by continued innovation to meet needs expressed by families and our hospital partners. As existing program use steadily increased to pre-pandemic levels, additional services began serving families in new locations and ways.

The STAR Corner opened in May within the Emergency Department of Akron Children’s Hospital’s Beeghly Campus in Boardman.
More Happy Wheels Hospitality Carts were rolling to bring more than 21,000 comfort and care items to families and children where needed.
A newly designed RedTreehouse.org, the online Ronald McDonald Family Resource Link, launched in May featuring specially curated Pathways to Support—fast access to resources meeting needs other families have experienced—before, during, and after their child’s health care journey.
The Family Room at MetroHealth Medical Center moved and re-opened in the new Glick Center.
Meals are always a huge part of keeping families strong so they can take care of their child. Our expanded and renovated kitchen spaces allowed us to nourish more bodies and souls than ever before—where and when needed most. Nearly 95,000 meals were served with love at House, Family Room, and hospital locations. The latest addition for meal delivery was Cleveland Clinic Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital, providing much-needed food access on weekends.

The tremendous impact of our programs is possible because of ongoing community support. We are able to provide high quality services at no charge to families because of the financial and in-kind donations of individuals, corporations, foundations, McDonald’s NEO restaurants and customers, and more.

Volunteers provide essential support to operate our programs. In 2023, 408 individual volunteers contributed more than 26,000 hours, an estimated value of more than $833,000. Truly the value provided by volunteers cannot be conveyed in dollars. The care, compassion and community of support given to families by volunteers is priceless.