
Letter from our
BOARD PRESIDENT
Dear Friends:
It is because of your support, commitment, time and love that Ronald McDonald House Houston celebrated another stellar year in 2015. On behalf of our families, we are tremendously grateful.
Last year 1,101 volunteers contributed over 26,093 hours of service to help our families. Serving comforting meals at our Holcombe House, baking fresh chocolate chip cookies at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, bringing Mother’s and Father’s Day brunches to our programs inside Texas Children’s Hospital, and writing notes of encouragement for families resting at our Family Room inside MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital – YOU bring light to lives of parents who need strength to support their children.
Thanks to you, 2015 was also a spectacular year for our fund raising events. You gave over 1 million dollars through Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Texas Bands, Brews and BBQ, The RMH Cup and the Trafigura Run for the House. Houston has so many worthy non-profit organizations to support, but you chose RMH Houston. We are so thankful. It is your support that covers the necessary costs of our entire program. Over 94% of our revenue comes from donations from people like you with a heart and passion to meet the tremendous needs of our families.
RMH Houston celebrated its 34th birthday with the launch of our Behind Every Door Capital Campaign. We are expanding the Holcombe House by 40%, adding 20 new bedrooms, and updating our 15 year-old flagship facility. In only 5 years, the average annual occupancy rate climbed from 82% to 94%, and we have an ongoing waiting list of families that need our services each day.. As pediatric hospitals in Houston continue to treat more patients in a rapidly changing healthcare environment, RMH Houston must be able to accommodate this growth and meet these challenges.
I also want to recognize the dedication of our staff, led by CEO Leslie Bourne, and our Board of Directors, professionals in many fields, who provide the ongoing leadership to ensure our success.
If you would like to learn more about what we do, or schedule a tour of one of our Houses, please contact us here, and we will be happy to show you first-hand how your contribution helps.
Sincerely,
Greg Looser
President of the Board
OUR IMPACT
Programs
Since 1981, Ronald McDonald House Houston has provided a home away from home for families with sick children receiving treatment at a Texas Medical Center member institution. Today our programs include 3 Ronald McDonald Houses, 5 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, and 1 Cookie Corner Program. Each program aims to create a safe space for families to rest, rejuvenate, and connect with other families facing similar crises.

578 different families
16,745 overnight stays at our
50 bedroom freestanding
Holcombe House

1,120 different families
4,226 overnight stays at our
14 bedroom House inside
Children’s Memorial
Hermann Hospital

1,759 different families
6,939 overnight stays at our
20 bedroom House and 4 Family Rooms inside
Texas Children’s Hospital

75 different families
552 overnight stays at our
Family Room with 2 overnight rooms inside
MD Anderson Children’s
Cancer Hospital

Comforting fresh-baked cookies &
Thousands of smiles at our
Cookie Corner program inside
Texas Children’s Hospital
West Campus
Demographics
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In 2015, RMH Houston provided 28,462 overnight stays to 3,532 different families from all over the globe. Our families are determined to find the best medical care for their sick children and are willing to travel across the city, state, country, or world to the renowned Texas Medical Center for treatment.

3,532
Different Families
Stayed With Us

Patient Diagnoses
34% |
Oncology |
20% |
Cardiovascular |
6% |
Transplants |
15% |
Birth-related |
25% |
OtherSerious Illnesses |

28,462
Overnight Stays
*Statistics depicted above are combined for all RMH Houston programs in 2015
FinancialS
Thanks to many generous contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations, and organizations, RMH Houston provides a supportive and loving home for families whose children are facing life-threatening illnesses. These gifts are made in celebration of our events, in honor or memory of a loved one, or just because it feels good to help families in need. We are grateful for every dollar we receive.
Total Revenue and Support | Amount | Percentage | |
---|---|---|---|
Contributions | $ | 1,564,878 | 51% |
Special Events | $ | 812,726 | 26% |
In-Kind Contributions | $ | 149,625 | 5% |
Family Fees | $ | 533,282 | 17% |
Investment Return and Other Income | $ | 34,831 | 1% |
Total | $ | 3,095,342 | 100% |
Total Expenses | |||
Program | $ | 3,319,501 | 72% |
Administrative | $ | 457,675 | 10% |
Development | $ | 834,201 | 18% |
Total | $ | 4,611,377 | 100% |
Source: 2015 Audited Financial Statement
Click here to view our 990 Form and Audited Financial Report
Family Meal Program
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Corporate groups, organizations, and individuals generously provide convenient meals at no cost to our families. Family meals help to reduce stress in many ways: saving money, reducing valuable travel time, and providing the opportunity to enjoy comfort food together, outside of the hospital environment.

303
Different
volunteer groups
served meals

4
Locations
Holcombe House
Texas Children’s Hospital
Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital
MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital

1,017
opportunities to enjoy
a meal together
$1,001,986 Food Cost Savings for Our Families
*Estimation based on 2015 USDA Food Cost $224.05 per week on average for a family of four”
Demographics
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Families come from all over to stay with us. By providing a home away from home while their child receives critical treatment at a nearby hospital, RMH Houston is able to meet families’ most vital need for a place to stay. More than that, we provide families opportunities to connect with others facing similar crises. Hover over the map for statistics on where our families came from this year.

Individual Volunteer Program
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Our caring and compassionate team of hardworking volunteers ensure that each of our programs is a warm and welcoming place for families to rest, rejuvenate, pray or cry. Without our volunteers, our work would not be possible.
Number of volunteers
|
Hours served
|
|
247
|
Ronald McDonald Holcombe House |
10,712
|
64
|
Ronald McDonald Family Room at MD Anderson Children’s Cancer Hospital |
1,907
|
71
|
Ronald McDonald House inside Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital |
2,612
|
263
|
Ronald McDonald House and Family Rooms inside Texas Children’s Hospital |
9,416
|
1
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Cookie Corner Program inside Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus |
81
|
|
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646 individual volunteers in 2015 |
= | 24,728 hours served in 2015 |
$570,475 in labor cost savings to RMH Houston*
*Calculation based on the latest estimated value of volunteer time in Texas by Independent Sector at $23.07 per hour.
VOLUNTEER activities
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Our volunteers provide relaxing and fun activities to give our families a short break from the harsh realities of caring for a very sick child. Moms, dads, grandparents, and siblings are all welcome to join in the fun! Art classes, summer camp, birthday parties, yoga classes, and field trips to theater performances or sporting events are just a few of the exciting activities our volunteers facilitate.

152
Different groups
hosted field trips
and activities


419
Field trips and
activities for our
kids and families
Meet the
Morgan Family
mogie
Hi Friends!
This year I celebrated my 7th birthday, and another exciting year being the RMH Houston Key Comfort Ambassador. I visited some old friends and made new ones as I visited schools and book fairs around the city for storytime with my book Mogie: The Heart of the House. My buddy, Dwight Howard with the Houston Rockets, even stopped by the Holcombe House to hold a special storytime with all the kids and families. It was so much fun! I love telling other kids what I do for families who have to leave their pets back home when they come to Houston for treatment at the hospitals. One of my favorite moments last year was opening letters from my friends all over the country. I love getting mail. There’s no place I’d rather be. It’s a Ronald McDonald House Houston dog’s life for me!
Lots of love and sloppy kisses,
Mogie
2015
special events
Ronald McDonald House Houston hosted four Special Events in 2015, offering exciting and meaningful opportunities to raise the necessary funds for our home away from home. Whether you enjoy a good game of golf, a competitive or fun run through downtown, or a fabulous party with friends, RMH Houston has an event that appeals to everyone.
Check Out Our Upcoming 2016 Events
Boo Ball: The Lost Lagoon
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Trafigura Run for the House
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Click an event below to expand.

Saturday, December 5, 2015
Chairs: Hans Boas, Laura Conely, Amy Reddell, Chris Scott & Bernie Tretta
Honoree: Vincent Faber, Trafigura Foundation
Our annual 10K/5K USATF-certified race attracted over 1,400 supporters of all ages. Avid competitors, families, teams and dogs ran, walked and rolled through Downtown Houston finishing at Sam Houston Park. Everyone enjoyed free food, activities, games, Santa Claus, and event awards at the fun-filled family after-party.
WE RAISED OUR HIGHEST GROSS REVENUE TO DATE AT $629,648. THANKS TO THE TRAFIGURA FOUNDATION FOR THEIR GENEROUS MATCH OF THE EVENT’S NET REVENUE!

Thursday, February 12, 2015
Chairs: Donna Hemmi, Karen Smith, & Mills Toomey
Over 500 women partied like biker-babes with a softer side at our Leather and Lace themed ladies-night-out. Guests enjoyed a variety of pampered indulgences, raffle and silent auction packages, great food, a fashion show, and boutique shopping at the Omni Houston Hotel.
GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN RAISED $109,835 IN GROSS REVENUE

Monday, March 30, 2015
Chair: David Carmony
Honoree: Bernie Riviere
Nearly 200 golfers competed in The RMH Cup tournament at River Ridge Golf Club. Every participant received a souvenir golf shirt, hat and balls, and enjoyed 18 holes of competition, along with great food and beverages on wonderfully-manicured greens.
THE RMH CUP GROSSED $191,715 – THE HIGHEST REVENUE IN ITS HISTORY

Saturday, May 2, 2015
Chairs: Jamie Kopulos & Karli Stegeman
Our largest event of 2015, Texas Bands Brews & BBQ, hosted over 1,450 guests at Houston Farm & Ranch Club. Twenty-six of Houston’s best cooking teams competed in the four-category TGCBCA-sanctioned BBQ cook-off. All guests enjoyed a four-band country music line up featuring The Guzzlers, Bleu Edmondson, Brandon Rhyder and Hayes Carll. VIP guests received tented seating, souvenirs, and an open-bar sponsored by Cinco Vodka.
TEXAS BANDS BREWS & BBQ RAISED $116,211 IN GROSS REVENUE
FAMILY PROGRAMS
With compassion and care, our volunteers provide warm welcomes, listening ears, delicious meals, and activities to help make our home more than just a place to stay. Support from our 646 volunteers in 2015 made programs such as Five Star Day, Caregivers Week, Santa Store and Summer Camp possible for families to enjoy together during such a critical time. Our six-week Summer Camp Program is designed to engage and educate patients as well as their siblings during the summer break. Volunteer teachers and camp counselors ensure that every week of camp has an exciting theme filled with interactive activities to keep young minds active, and each week culminates with a field trip to an exciting Houston- area attraction with the hopes that patients and siblings will have the opportunity to see more than the inside of a hospital or our home during their stay.
What an amazing year made possible by the many caring hearts and hands that so graciously give of their time and talents to RMH Houston. These small touches of kindness and support for our families truly make the difference in their child’s long-term care.
Thank you to these corporations and foundations who made a gift of $5,000 or more to Ronald McDonald House Houston in 2015.
Thank You
- Aaron’s, Inc.
- ABB Foundation Inc.
- Albemarle Foundation
- Alpha Delta Pi Foundation, Inc.
- Anne and Don Fizer Foundation
- Apache Corporation
- Apache Foundation Golf Tournament
- Bethyl Laboratories Inc.
- Bhupat & Jyoti Mehta Family Foundation
- Buckeye Partners LP
- C & G Boats Inc.
- The Coca-Cola Company
- CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
- Champion Energy Services LLC
- Comerica Bank Texas
- Conely Foundation
- Cornerstone Futures
- Cyvia & Melvyn Wolff Family Foundation
- Damar Construction Services Inc.
- David Weekley Family Foundation
- Derrick Equipment Company
- Dillard’s Inc.
- Dr. Pepper Snapple Group Inc.
- The Ellwood Foundation
- Energy Transfer Partners LP
- EnVen Energy Ventures
- Farmer Bros Co.
- Friedkin Business Services
- Frost Bank
- Geico Philanthropic Foundation
- George & Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation
- The George Foundation
- GeoSouthern Energy Corporation
- Gowlings, Lafleur, Henderson LLP
- H.G. Rhodes Inc.
- Hacienda LPG Brokerage Inc.
- Halliburton Charity Golf Tournament Inc.
- Harry S. & Isabel Cameron Foundation
- Houston Junior Woman’s Club
- Intertek
- John P. McGovern Foundation
- Kirk Edwards Foundation
- Lennar Foundation
- Linear Controls Inc.
- Lone Star Golf Classic Fund
- The Lyons Foundation
- McDonald’s USA LLC – Houston Region
- Mercer
- The Methodist Hospital System
- Michael & Rebecca Cemo Foundation
- MUFG Americas
- Nick & Friends Sarcoma Foundation Inc.
- Occidental Petroleum Corporation
- PFS Group
- PGA of America
- Pin Oak Charity Horse Show
- Pointsmith, L.P.
- PwC Charitable Foundation
- RBF Port Neches LLC
- ReedSmith LLP
- Regency Centers LP
- Ronald McDonald House Charities of Houston/Galveston, Inc.
- Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q
- Satellite Logistics Group Inc
- Smith Thompson Security
- Spencer Stuart
- Spring Klein Girls Softball League-Triple Crown Sports
- TAM International Inc.
- The Twilight & Marc/Freedman Foundation
- Trafigura AG Branch Office Houston
- Trafigura Foundation
- Walter Oil & Gas Corporation
- Westside Lexus
- Wilson & Franco
- The Winston Charitable Foundation
We are so grateful to all of our incredible individual and in-kind donors that support our House in so many ways. Without you, we could not do what we do for our families.
*This list does not include donors who have contributed to Behind Every Door, our 20 million dollar capital campaign for a 20 bedroom phased expansion and complete renovation of our 50 bedroom Holcombe House facility.*
Board of Directors
- Greg Looser, President
- Debbie Gibson, Vice President
- Marilyn Mogas, Secretary
- Jeff Rawson, Treasurer
- Ana Denena, Audit Committee Chair
- Chris Weber, Advancement Committee Chair
- Ginger Niemann, Fundraising Committee Chair
- David Copeland, Governance Committee Chair
- John R. Allender, Legal Committee Chair
- Kenneth Sheirr, Marketing Committee Chairman
- Debbie Bauer, Operations Committee Chair
- Marjana Roach, Personnel Committee Chair
- Mitch Derrick, Strategic Planning Committee Chair
- David Hicks, Technology Committee Chair
- Agatha Brann, Executive Committee Member at Large
- Lesha Elsenbrook, Capital Campaign Chair
- Carin Marcy Barth
- Hans Boas
- Stuart Brown
- Muffin Clark
- Emily Crosswell
- Marc Dickson
- Suzanne Farrow
- Christian A. Garcia
- Lawrence Hanrahan, M.D.
- Shannon Hayes, M.D.
- Ryan Herbst
- Elizabeth D. Kelley
- Tom McGee
- Dana O’Brien
- Amy Reddell
- Jennifer Rustay
- Susie A. Smith
- Maggie Stacy
- Philip Tenenbaum
- Christine Underwood
- Gary Wilson
Advisory Board
- Debbie Adams
- Maurine Alfrey
- Julie Comiskey
- ZoAnn Dreyer, M.D
- Dick East
- Patti Everett
- Lynn Guggolz
- Peggy Hennessy
- Randy Howard
- Eugenie S. Kleinerman, M.D.
- Carolyn Klevenhagen
- Charles C. Kraft
- Paula Letbetter
- Flo McGee
- Marilyn Miller
- Don Mullins, Founding Member
- N. J. Pierce
- David Poplack M.D.
- Diane Riley
- Sally Bell Rutherford
- Janet Theriot
- Bette Thomas
- Richard Wainerdi, P.E., Ph.D.
- Leonard Weisman, M.D.
- Nelda Womack
- C. Dean Woods