Ronald McDonald Family Room

Ronald McDonald House Central Ohio Operates Two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms

A Ronald McDonald Family Room is a quiet place away from the medical space, for families to recharge, grab a bite to eat, do a load of laundry, or take a break during the long days of testing or treatment.

Like a Ronald McDonald House, a Ronald McDonald Family Room is designed to support families through their child’s medical journey – whether it’s a break from the clinical environment, a restorative nap or night’s rest, or a sense of normalcy sitting down with a cup of tea. Hospital leaders worldwide increasingly understand that accommodation and support for families contribute to high-quality, family-centered care.
There are roughly 265+ Ronald McDonald Family Room Programs in the world, and Columbus, Ohio is lucky enough to be the home of two of them. The first Central Ohio Ronald McDonald Family Room was opened in 2017 at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital, and the second one was opened in 2020 at Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. 
Interested in Volunteering for Ronald McDonald Family Room? Please Complete This Form.

Learn about each of the Central Ohio Ronald McDonald House Family Rooms below.

OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital

Ronald McDonald Family Room

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio has partnered with OhioHealth to operate Central Ohio’s first Ronald McDonald Family Room. This space serves as a respite for families with babies & children receiving medical care at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital. We provide a relaxed space for families to grab a snack or a drink, take a shower, do a load of laundry, or take a quick break just steps from their inpatient child, if only for a few moments.

The 1,000-square foot space on the fifth floor of the Yellow Area features:

  • Family gathering area with recliners and a television
  • Dining area with a kitchenette, table and chairs
  • Complimentary laundry machines (detergent provided)
  • Children’s play area (games, crafts and gaming system)
  • Multi-purpose space for massage, haircuts and other restorative practices
  • Complimentary snack food and coffee
  • ADA accessible shower (toiletries and linens provided)
  • Work station with iPads and complimentary Wi-Fi

We’d like to give a sincere thank you to the many donors making this space possible including the Blue Jackets Foundation, the Lady Jackets, Worthington Industries, and Safelite AutoGlass.

To learn more about how you can support this Ronald McDonald Family Room, or for questions, please email carolyn.glaser@rmhc-centralohio.org

Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion

Ronald McDonald Family Room

When families walk into the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, we want them to forget they’re in a hospital. Centrally located in the Pavilion, the Ronald McDonald Family Room offers families a place to rest and regroup while remaining close to their child by providing a welcoming, homelike environment.

Services and Amenities

  • Family gathering area with comfortable seating and television
  • Dining area with kitchenette, table, and chairs
  • Large outdoor rooftop courtyard with greenery & seating, directly off the RMFR sitting room and dining area
  • Shower facility with toiletries and towels provided
  • Complimentary laundry facility with detergent provided
  • Mother’s room with a breast pump
  • Multipurpose space available for a variety of activities and services
  • Scheduled family activities coming after pandemic safety protocols lifted
  • Complimentary snack food and coffee

To see if your family is eligible to use the Ronald McDonald Family Room, please talk to a BHP staff member.

To learn more about how you can support this Ronald McDonald Family Room, or for questions, please email megan.renner@rmhc-centralohio.org

Gathering areas for families to relax and take a break

ADA accessible shower with toiletries provided 

Laundry facilities with free detergent/laundry products

Computer access equipped with Wi-Fi 

Complimentary beverages and snacks  

Hero of the Family Room

Be a Hero

Support families who are taking care of their sick children in two different Columbus area hospitals by becoming a Hero of the Family Room. By supporting this program, you can help provide families with a space to take a break, grab a snack, do a load of laundry and take a shower at both of the Ronald McDonald Family Rooms (located at Ohio Health Riverside Methodist Hospital and Nationwide Children’s Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion).
By selecting a sponsorship level below, you are helping to provide a safe and comfortable space for families to take a break from providing care to their sick child and relax.

Support Opportunities

$25,000

  • Recognition on Ronald McDonald House Donor Wall
  • Recognition in Ronald McDonald Family Room of donor’s choice
  • Two (2) Team Cuisine team building opportunities(breakfast or lunch)
  • Special article in the House Happenings electronic newsletter
  • Name on our website
  • Recognition in two (2) social media posts

$20,000

  • Recognition on Ronald McDonald House Donor Wall
  • Recognition in Ronald McDonald Family Room of donor’s choice
  • One (1) Team Cuisine team building opportunities (breakfast or lunch)
  • Special article in the House Happenings electronic newsletter
  • Recognition in one (1) social media post

$15,000

  • Recognition on Ronald McDonald House Donor Wall
  • Recognition in Ronald McDonald Family Room of donor’s choice
  • One (1) Team Cuisine team building opportunities (breakfast or lunch)
  • Special article in the House Happenings electronic newsletter

$10,000

  • Recognition on Ronald McDonald House Donor Wall
  • Recognition in Ronald McDonald Family Room of donor’s choice

$5,000

  • Recognition on Ronald McDonald House Donor Wall
  • Recognition in Ronald McDonald Family Room of donor’s choice
For questions, please email Kate Siefert at Kate.Siefert@RMHC-CentralOhio.org or call (614) 227-3777.