Facts at a Glance
Hometown: Edmonton, AB
Affiliated hospitals: Stollery Children’s Hospital, Royal Alexandra, Glen Rose, Grey Nuns and Miseria Acordia
Opened: 1985 with 16 bedrooms
Bedrooms now: 30 (after an expansion in 2009)
Number of families helped each year: 872
Number of families on a waiting list per year: 354
Ronald McDonald House Northern Alberta has provided at least a single night’s stay for more than 13,700 families since opening. However, very few families stay for just a single night – the average is 11.
The House’s Education Coordinator works closely with hometown teachers to ensure children have minimal disruption from their schooling. Programs run by volunteers cover school topics as well, like Science Experiment, Recreation and Physical Movement. The dedicated group of 112 volunteers also organize craft nights and living room campouts to make sure kids get to have fun, too.
While the operating cost is about $115 per family, per night, the suggested donation by families is just $12. If a family can’t afford that, however, they are not turned away. Unfortunately, many families are turned away because the House can’t accommodate the need; 354 families usually sit on the waiting list throughout the year. While the average wait is 10 days, many families still never get a spot in the House when they need it.
Want to help this House with their wish list? See it on their site.
7726 107th Street
Edmonton, AB T6E 4K3
www.rmhnorthernalberta.org
Phone: 780-439-5437