I will be evaluated the local Ronald McDonald House Charity located at 404 Colley Avenue in Norfolk, Virginia.  It is part of a global nonprofit organization that provides housing and other services and support programs that impact the health and well-being of children.  The mission of the Ronald McDonald House Charity of Norfolk is to keep families close to children facing medical challenges.  They provide lodging for families of seriously ill children. 

     The services are available to lower-income families who are not local to the area and who would otherwise have to travel a large distance every day to be with their child at the hospital.  The families are referred to the charity house by their local social service system and they must meet certain requirements to stay at the house.  There are five Ronald McDonald House Charities in Virginia.  There is one in Charlottesville, Richmond, Roanoke, Norfolk, and Northern Virginia. 

     The Ronald McDonald Charity House I evaluated is located in the downtown area of Norfolk and is directly across the street from Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters.  It is also located within walking distance to Norfolk Sentara Hospital and Eastern Virginia Medical School.  A family staying at the charity house would be able to walk to any of these medical facilities.  The charity house also has a ride service if needed. 

     The major population this charity serves are lower-income families who do not live locally and have a child within their custody who is 21 years or younger and who is being treated at one of the local medical facilities.  Stays at the house can be as short as one night and can be as long as several months and even a year or more.  It depends on the child’s illness and the treatments required.  The charity house will not turn away local applicants but there is a minimum distance requirement of fifteen miles. 

     The Ronald McDonald House Charity operates on contributions and fundraising efforts. Most of  the money required for the operating expenses of the charity house comes from contributions.  Almost all of the money raised for the charity house is used towards the operating expenses of the house.  They also have volunteers who come to the house to donate wish-list items and food.  The house has a large kitchen for meal preparation and some volunteers will even host meals for the families staying at the charity house. 

     I chose the Ronald McDonald House Charity because of the impact it has on the families that it serves.  I am very familiar with the day to day routine of having someone within the immediate family who is very ill and requires constant hospital care for an undetermined length of time.  My brother had Nephrotic Syndrome and received a kidney transplant from my sister.  He was hospitalized at Norfolk Sentara for extended periods of time.  My entire family has spent many hours within the walls of Norfolk Sentara to be with my brother when he was there.  The house respite within walking distance from the hospital must be very comforting to the families who use their services.  The Ronald McDonald Charity was one of the first charities I ever donated to as we would go thru the drive-through of McDonald’s.  I believe that this local charity is a great charity that serves a very specific need when it is needed the most.