Check-in time is between 9:00 am and 4 p.m. seven days a week.

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Both House I and House III have a communal kitchen and pantry of non-perishable foods that are offered free to all families. Each family has refrigerator and cupboard space where a small amount of personal food can be stored. Outside volunteer groups regularly visit the House to make dinners for the families. There is no eating allowed in the rooms, or anywhere in the House, outside of the kitchen and dining room. There is an RMHC complimentary shuttle that takes guests to and from the hospital on weekdays.

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New guests must have a referral from a hospital social worker where their child is being treated. Guests who have stayed at the House within two years should call the day before their arrival to be placed on a waiting list. Guests must then call again, before noon, on the day of their arrival to see if a room is available for them.

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Family income is not a consideration for admittance. Our only requirement is that families have a child who is aged 18 or younger undergoing medical treatment at a hospital in Salt Lake. All families are requested to contribute $15 a night towards the cost of their stay; however, no one is ever turned away due to an inability to pay.

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Generally, families must live at least 35 miles away from the Salt Lake Ronald McDonald House.

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There is no formal counseling program, but families get support from staff, volunteers and other families going through similar experiences.

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The House is open 24 hours a day for families staying here to come and go. Visiting hours are between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.

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Fire code regulations determine the number of people who can stay in a room. Most rooms can accommodate three family members. There are a limited number of rooms that can accommodate up to five immediate family members

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Visiting hours are between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Visitors are welcome, but must sign in at the front desk and stay on the main floor. The children living at Ronald McDonald House are highly susceptible to infections. Please do not plan on coming to the House if, within the last month, you or any family members have been exposed to chicken pox, shingles, measles, tuberculosis, influenza, hepatitis A or any other infectious disease, or if you have any of the following symptoms: sore throat, runny nose, watery eyes, cough fever, chills, unexplained rash, general aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

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We provide bed linens and towels. We request that outside pillows and linens not be brought in because of health related issues.

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No. All families are asked to clean their room before checking out of the House. They are also expected to clean up any communal areas they use. The washing machines and dryers are available for personal use.

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No. Parents are required to be responsible for their own children and provide supervision at all times.

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Yes. Groups regularly visit the House to make dinners for the families. Crafts and other activities occur on a regular basis.

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Rooms in House I and House III each have a bed, private bathroom, closet space and a telephone. Check-in time is between 9:00 am and 4 p.m. seven days a week.

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There is no smoking anywhere in the House. Utah State law prohibits indoor smoking and smoking within 50 feet of any entrance.    

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Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of the Intermountain Area is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization and a chapter of the global RMHC. Our cornerstone is the Salt Lake Ronald McDonald House which provides a caring home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill children being treated at a Salt Lake City hospital. In addition, RMHC operates a Ronald McDonald Family Room; an in-hospital respite for parents of pediatric patients, in Ogden Regional Medical Center. RMHC extends its reach by awarding grants to children’s related nonprofits in the Intermountain area.

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The House is owned and operated by Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Intermountain Area, Inc. and is governed by a Board of Trustees.

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Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Intermountain Area has a small paid staff that runs the day-to-day operations. They are supported by volunteers.

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There are more than 300 Ronald McDonald Houses throughout the United States and world, with local chapters in 52 countries and regions. All operate under licensing guidelines from Ronald McDonald House Charities. However, each Ronald McDonald House is independently operated.

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The Salt Lake Houses can accommodate 33 families each night in two Houses. House I has rooms for 25 families: with four self-contained long-term suites, and House III serves as a quiet sanctuary for families with seriously ill children. Both Houses are a short ride to local area hospitals and a shuttle is provided.

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By generous supporters like you! Over 90 percent of our operating funds come from individuals, organizations, foundations and businesses in the Intermountain Area. It costs about $1.3 million annually to operate RMHC. The majority of that amount is raised through individual and corporate donations. These include the Share-A-Night program, RMHC-sponsored and community fundraising events, grants, will bequests, property and goods donations.

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Local McDonald's restaurant owner/operators fund approximately 15 percent of our annual operating costs. This funding comes from in-store donation boxes, sales of newspapers sold in McDonald's restaurants and in-store promotions.

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By donating and volunteering! We could not operate the House without donations from individuals and groups. Our volunteers are the heart and soul of our House - and the reason we can accomplish so much with such a small staff. We have a detailed list of in-kind supplies, equipment and services that are most needed. Also check with staff about the next major event we are hosting and ask how you can help! 

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Families of seriously ill children undergoing medical treatment at one of our local hospitals who live more than 35 miles from Salt Lake may stay at the House. Most of our families come from Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada, Montana and Colorado. However, we serve families from throughout the U.S. and world. First time families are referred to us by social workers at the hospital. Once a family has been referred and stayed with us, they can call the House directly for future stays.

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We ask families to contribute $15 per night to stay at the House. In contrast, it costs RMHC $74 per night to house a family. No family is ever turned away because of an inability to pay.

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It varies greatly, depending on the child's illness and treatment. Stays may last several weeks to several months and even extend to a year or more. The average length of stay has increased in the last three years from three days up to seven days.

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Volunteers are vital to our operation as they work the front desk and greet visitors, help with family services and clean the Houses. They also organize fundraisers, cook dinners, and sponsor activities for the families.

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RMHC of the Intermountain Area has a $1.3 million operating budget. This is used for maintaining and operating the Ronald McDonald Houses and its programs every day of the year.

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