To Mary Kay Gustafson, the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago’s Hyde Park is more than just a house. It is a way of life. Families from around the country and across the globe come to the facility as a cost-effective way to stay near their children for extended periods while the little ones get special medical care at University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital.
As the house council president of the Ronald McDonald House, Gustafson facilitates an ambience of peace, nurturing and support at minimal cost to the families amid extremely tumultuous circumstances.
–terry shropshire
What is the purpose of the Ronald McDonald House?
The purpose of the Ronald McDonald House is to provide a home away from home for families who’s children have to see a medical specialist at nearby University of Chicago children’s hospital. We provide a loving atmosphere, meals and a place to sleep, at minimal cost. Fourteen people are on this house council [that] supports the house manager and the operations that this house provides. This house operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year. So you can only imagine what it takes to provide necessities to bring the families in and to provide a place away from home. And that is the main purpose of this house. And as you can see from the tours and pictures, it is a spectacular place. And the families are very grateful for the care that we provide them.
Even though you are located on Chicago’s South Side, the Ronald McDonald House takes in people from around the world.
We have seven rooms right inside the hospital at the University of Chicago. This house has 22 bedrooms in a hospital setting. The rule is you have to live at least 10 miles away and be referred by a social worker. And then, once you have been referred by a social worker then you can refer yourself. Seven percent of the families are returning for different medical things for their families. Some of them have stayed 30, 40 and 50 times. We have people here from all over the world and across the country. We have four Ronald McDonald houses in Chicago.
People may not be cognizant of the substantial costs to run an operation such as this. The Herman Petty Memorial 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament is a big way to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House.
Greg Ellison [founder of the basketball tournament] is definitely our hero. What he has done with this tournament is just awesome. I cannot tell you what this means to us because the proceeds go to this house and go to the direct day-to-day operation of the house. … [We are] truly humbled to be affiliated with this event.
