The House That Love Built

Pages: 118, Book Design: Emily Benike, Editing: Marjorie Toensing

Since opening as Northland House on May 3, 1980, Rochester Minnesota’s Ronald McDonald House has been a place of shelter, respite, and hope for more than 25,000 family visits. In March 2021, Peggy Elliott (RMH Executive Director) asked me if I would write the house’s history and serve as the project’s manager. I was honored to be considered for the task, and readily agreed.

 Prior to my writing, Peggy and I defined and determined the book’s audience, purpose, scope, outline, schedule, key contributors, and reviewers. Emily Benike joined the project as the book’s graphic designer, Marjorie Toensing provided the editing, and both did outstanding jobs. The 118-page book returned from the printer in June 2022, and copies are now available. Before my involvement with the project, I had some knowledge of the house’s mission, activities, and accomplishments.  After writing the history, I have a much deeper appreciation of what the house has done and continues to do.

The Ronald McDonald House of Rochester Story

The Ronald McDonald House of Rochester story began in the late 1970s when four families, each dealing with (or having dealt with) a seriously ill child, rallied others to start the Northland House. Ten years after opening in 1980, the Northland House became the Ronald McDonald House of Rochester. In 1995, a new home was built at the current location, and two major expansions were completed in 2004 and 2019 to serve more children and families.

Through all of this, our house leadership, staff, and volunteers have shepherded, nurtured, and focused on our mission: to provide a home away from home and give support to families seeking medical care for their children. As part of Ronald McDonald House Charities, the Ronald McDonald House of Rochester has experienced steady growth over the years, and we remain forever grateful to our founders, our founding mission partner (McDonald’s), our health care partner (Mayo Clinic), and the vast community of supporters who have made mission advancement possible. Through the years, it has taken many hearts and hands to keep our mission steady and strong. And though we would love to individually recognize and thank the countless individuals, businesses, and partners who have selflessly shared time, talents, and treasure to ensure the fulfilment of our mission, we find it would be impossible to do so.

Since 1980, the house has been a place of shelter, respite, and hope for more than 25,000 family visits, and there is a story behind each one. A common theme is the unconditional love parents have for their children, which has compelled them to leave what is familiar (home, family, friends, and work) in search of the best possible health care, which they find and receive at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. We are privileged to be part of the circle of care that Mayo Clinic provides for their youngest precious patients and honored to support families facing the unimaginable challenges of an ill child.

The Ronald McDonald House of Rochester story is a love story, and the families and children who stay here are its heroes. We are inspired each day by their courage and resiliency in the face of complex health issues. As we begin our fifth decade of embracing children and families at a time in their lives when they need it most, we are filled with great optimism. The future is bright. A former president of our Board of Trustees said, “There is an aura in the house that I do not find anywhere else. It is impossible to be inside the building and not feel love and support.”

May this written history be a lasting reminder of the difference the Ronald McDonald House of Rochester makes in the lives of the families who make it their home.