A home away from home

Sharing the burden

Children coping with an illness need many things to recover, and the presence and support of family is at the top of the list. But when a family must travel to access care, it can add financial stress to an already traumatic situation. To help reduce this burden, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) provides the resources and support system families need to be together during a difficult, stressful time. It’s also their policy to never turn a family away because of an inability to pay.

Employees of HUB International Missoula performing house and yard maintenance at the Missoula Ronald McDonald House in the fall of 2021.

RMHC operates around the world, and each Ronald McDonald House plays a vital role in its community. In Missoula, the House is located across the street from the Community Medical Center, the city’s main hospital. This location makes it easier for families to be actively involved in their children’s care, while also giving parents and guardians a comfortable place to stay, and some solace, as long as needed.

Troy Carlson of HUB International puts in time, treasure, and talent with yard tools for the Missoula Ronald McDonald House.

Open every day of the year, the Missoula Ronald McDonald House has 12 rooms with private bathrooms available for guests. Families also have access to kitchens, a dining area, a fully stocked pantry, laundry rooms, a family game room and other amenities. Plus, several nights a week, guests are treated to home-cooked meals prepared by volunteers.

“The employees of the Missoula Ronald McDonald House are some of the most caring people I have ever met.”

– Gary Schild, HUB Gives Regional Coordinator, HUB International Mountain States Limited

Building a support system

HUB International offers business insurance products to customers across the U.S. and Canada. Through its HUB Gives program, each regional office selects a local cause to support, and its Missoula location chose to care for the Ronald McDonald House. This includes doing yard work and maintenance at the House, preparing meals for guests and spending time with the families to make them feel cared for and welcome.

The agency also donates money for meals and operating expenses, and supports House staff so they can focus on serving families. During the pandemic lockdown, when meals couldn’t be prepared in the House, the agency donated gift cards from local restaurants for families to use.

HUB Gives often sponsors meals for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House. During the pandemic when they couldn’t home cook a meal like this one, they donated gift cards for the residents to use at local restaurants for food to-go.

“The employees of the Missoula Ronald McDonald House are some of the most caring people I have ever met,” said Gary Schild, the regional coordinator of the HUB Gives program. “We are touched by their dedication and proud to support them however we can.”

Much more than a place to sleep

The Missoula Ronald McDonald House operates on a tight budget and with limited staff, so it relies heavily on volunteers from the community to accomplish its vital work. “The House is more than just a place to sleep that’s close to the hospital,” said Amy Peterson, the CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Montana. “It’s a support system for families. And every day we depend on donors and volunteers like those from HUB International to help us fulfill our mission.”

“The Ronald McDonald House is more than just a place to sleep that’s close to the hospital. It’s a support system.”

– Amy Peterson, CEO, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Montana

Counting on the dedication of donors    

The Missoula Ronald McDonald House primarily relies on grants, donations and volunteers to do its work. A $10,000 gift from Liberty Mutual and Safeco Insurance would help the nonprofit pay for staffing, bedding, toys, health and hygiene supplies, food, furniture, house maintenance and other needed items. Help HUB International Missoula win another $5,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Western Montana by cheering them on with a vote!

If your agency volunteers with a 501(c)3 nonprofit, learn how you can win a Make More Happen Award here.