Home Away From Home

Meet the Tripp Family

When Abby was only two years old, she underwent her first brain surgery. Through multiple procedures and hospital stays, she had her family by her side and a smile on her face. Now, as a thriving, active 9-year-old, Abby knows the importance of giving back to families like hers in times of crisis.

Thanks to the generous support of donors and friends of RMHC St. Louis, Abby’s family had a peaceful, comfortable home-away-from-home in a Ronald McDonald Family Room during her medical journey.

“We’re lucky enough that we live close by and could go home,” Abby’s dad, Eric, says. “For families who come from out of state or even out of the country, I can only imagine the relief they must feel to know they have some place to call home when they’re here at a Ronald McDonald House.”

Even with Abby’s medical journey behind them, the family gives back to RMHC St. Louis, both to pay it forward to families like theirs, but also to set the example of philanthropic generosity for their children. “For us to do something to give back, it’s an easy decision,” Eric says. “Hopefully all three of our kids are learning it’s the right thing to do.”

Photo Sep 23 2021, 10 06 43 AM

We need your help

Since 1981, Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis has grown from one eight-bedroom facility to two Ronald McDonald Houses® serving more than 540 families per year and four in-hospital Ronald McDonald Family Rooms® welcoming nearly 60,000 guests per year. These are record-high numbers we reached in 2024, and we are on track to surpass these rates once again in 2025. As our organization grows, so does our need for your support.

The Home Away From Home campaign is our annual effort to provide the financial foundation for our yearly operations. RMHC spends $125 per family each night, and our services are available 365 days per year. Your support of the Home Away From Home campaign will sponsor a family and help offset this cost so we can provide free or reduced access to every family in need. No one is turned away from RMHC due to finances, and that's thanks to the generous support of friends like you.