The mission of Ronald McDonald House Lexington is to provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare.
A world where every family has what they need to ensure the best health outcomes for their children.
The first Ronald McDonald House opened its doors on October 15, 1974, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was born from a bold idea and a shared belief that families belong close to their child’s care. What began through the vision and collaboration of Dr. Audrey Evans of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia Eagles player Fred Hill whose daughter was battling leukemia, team owner Leonard Tose, general manager Jim Murray, and McDonald’s quickly became something bigger than anyone imagined. Communities across the country recognized the need and stepped forward, building Houses rooted in local leadership, compassion, and partnership. That same spirit of community-driven care is what inspired the founding of Ronald McDonald House Lexington.
The story of Ronald McDonald House Lexington began with Phyllis Cronin, whose visit to a House in Virginia sparked a vision she knew belonged in Kentucky. With her close friend Jackie Nicholson, she embarked on a mission to bring this vision to life. Together, they became known as the Founding Mothers of Ronald McDonald House Lexington. With the help of local McDonald’s Owners & Operators, passionate community members and groups, as well as the steadfast encouragement of Phyllis’ husband, Dr. John Cronin, their dream became a reality on December 14, 1984, when the House opened its doors, completely debt-free.
As the needs of families and the healthcare landscape have evolved, so has Ronald McDonald House Lexington. Today, our reach extends beyond the walls of the House. Our Ronald McDonald House Family Room: Golisano Children’s at UK and Care Cart programs bring moments of comfort, nourishment, and quiet relief just steps from a child’s bedside in the hospital. These small pauses carry great meaning and help families recharge so they can continue showing up with strength and hope.
Our commitment to children’s health also travels far beyond the hospital. Through the Ronald McDonald House Care Mobile: Hazard, we deliver free, professional dental care and education directly to children throughout Eastern Kentucky, removing barriers to preventive care and helping create healthier futures, one child at a time.
Today, every program works together to remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing across the Bluegrass and beyond. Nearly 500 families stay at our House each year. More than 10,000 families find support through our hospital programs, and our Care Mobile continues to improve oral health outcomes for more than 1,500 children who need it most.
