Ronald McDonald House Charities

The Sky’s the Limit

Southwest Airlines’ dedication helps thousands of families

In this story:

• Southwest Airlines has supported RMHC since 1985.
• Southwest employees volunteer at Ronald McDonald Houses in more than 60 U.S. cities.
• The Southwest LUV Classic golf tournament raises millions of dollars for RMHC core programs.

Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital is the home to 14 bedrooms that make up the newest Ronald McDonald House in Houston. The Ronald McDonald House is located near the neonatal intensive care unit and the pediatric intensive care unit. The opening of the House inside Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital marks the third House for RMHC of Greater Houston/Galveston.

Small Beginnings

The Houston organization, like most local RMHC Chapters worldwide, has benefited because of its relationship with corporate donors. Houston’s partner is Southwest Airlines.

Inspired by a pilot whose young daughter died from leukemia, Southwest adopted RMHC as its primary charity in 1985. “For more than 20 years, Southwest Airline Employees have witnessed miracles happen at Ronald McDonald Houses throughout the nation,” says Colleen Barrett, president of the airline. “Southwest Airlines is proud to support the courageous families, staff and volunteers of Ronald McDonald House programs across the globe.”

The partnership formed because of Southwest pilot Dick East. After losing his daughter, Dick felt compelled to help families struggling with the uncertainty of life after learning their children were seriously ill. He wanted to give back.

So Dick invited his Southwest colleagues to join him in preparing meals at the first Ronald McDonald House of Houston. And now, more than 20 years later, Southwest Airlines and its employees have a corporate and personal commitment to Ronald McDonald Houses in the more than 60 cities the airline serves.

“Dick East taught us the difference just one person can make,” says Ann Hancock, the airline’s manager of special events.

Hitting New Heights

Southwest has donated millions of dollars to RMHC and its network of local Chapters. The company has flown families, who must travel long distances for medical treatment, back-and-forth between hospitals and home.

The company’s commitment extends beyond monetary gifts. Southwest employees volunteer at their local Houses, preparing meals, providing entertainment, serving on local Chapter Boards, providing cash donations and sponsoring local fundraising events.

Every year, Southwest sponsors the LUV Classic golf tournament to support Houses throughout the United States. Since 1985, the event has raised millions for Ronald McDonald House programs.

Local RMHC Chapters thrive because of events like these. Southwest’s donations supported the House opening in Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, as well as two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms at Texas Children’s Hospital. The company also helped double the capacity of the House in Dallas in 1994. Barbara McDermott, executive director of Ronald McDonald House of Dallas, said at the House opening: “With the help of Southwest Airlines, we can now serve twice as many families. Southwest is an integral part of our family.”

Dick East might have thought his impact would be minimal when he rallied his co-workers to prepare meals at the first House in Houston, but countless lives have been changed because of his small act.

To get involved with RMHC, contact your local Chapter, or make an online donation.

More Stories

What I Wish I Knew

Mobilizing Early Detection