Volunteers are the backbone of Ronald McDonald House Charities and our core programs. Many people volunteer with their local RMHC Chapters to give back to their communities and to make a significant difference in children’s lives. More than 30,000 volunteers from around the world volunteer millions of hours of their time each year to prepare meals for families, host movie and pizza nights, clean and organize kitchen and play areas, and maintain gardens and landscaping. The time volunteers spend on routine daily chores frees families up to spend more time together. Research shows that a child who spends time with family will heal faster and better.

Sign me up! Volunteer with Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Volunteer Opportunities

Whether it is fundraising, cleaning or organizing a kitchen, there are a number of ways you can help your local RMHC Chapters.

You can help RMHC through:
  • Fundraising
  • Program development
  • Event planning
  • Serving families at a Ronald McDonald House or Ronald McDonald Family Room
  • Serving on RMHC boards and committees
Your local House also needs your help to:
  • Clean and organize the kitchen. Kitchens need to be stocked and organized so dozens of meals can be made daily.
  • Clean and disinfect the play areas. You can help kids, who are especially susceptible to germs, stay as healthy as possible.
  • Maintain garden, lawns and outdoor areas. Keeping up outdoor areas helps families feel like they’re staying in a clean area that people care about — just like their homes.
  • Host a game or movie night. By hosting special nights at your local Ronald McDonald House, you can interact with families and bring them some fun during difficult times
  • Host pizza parties during special sporting events, like the Super Bowl or World Series, or awards events like the Oscars.
  • Host birthday parties for family members.
Celebrate the Holidays:
  • Decorate Houses for the holidays.
  • Organize holiday art projects for kids.
  • Cook a special holiday meal for families.
Contact your local RMHC Chapter for specific opportunities and events.

Read more articles about our volunteers making a difference helping children and families:

In 2007 the Independent Sector announced that the true value of each volunteer hour had reached $19.71. By that measure, volunteers save RMHC an estimated $1.8 million in general and administrative costs per year.

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    Every few weeks. Lola and her daughter Debbie pack their overnight bags for a stay at the Ronald McDonald House in Wagga Wagga. They don’t stay as guests, but as volunteers.

  • My Name is Audrey Buxton

    A caring and ambitious teen makes the most of her volunteer opportunity.

  • RMHC and Bank of America Chicago Marathon

    You can run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and, at the same time, benefit the children served by Ronald McDonald House Charities program.

  • What's Out There

    Whether you want to bake cookies, make puppets, get messy with finger paints, take children to the zoo, tutor patients or help at a fundraising event, volunteering for RMHC makes a difference.

  • Australian Doctor Helps Launch House

    Les White saw how comfortable accommodations could help seriously ill children and their families and helped launch a Ronald McDonald House that has helped countless people in need.

  • Positive Impact, Positive Attitude

    A retired journalist decided to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald Family Room in Istanbul, Turkey, to make a more personal impact, and she changed one boy’s life forever.

  • Volunteers Make It Easier

    Volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House of New York brought back the carefree fun of the summer for many of its guests at Camp Ronald McDonald. The eight-week day camp lets children enjoy sports, arts and crafts, water fights and goofy skits.

  • Why I Love RMHC

    In the past year, 30,000 volunteers showed their commitment by donating a millions of hours of their time to RMHC. Three volunteers share why RMHC is the Charity for them.