A QUICK HISTORY OF RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
October 1974 First Ronald McDonald House built
1977 Second House opens, sparking a movement
1979 11 House programs available across the U. S.
1981 First Houses open in Canada and Australia
1985 First House opens in Europe( Netherlands)
1989 100-plus new programs in five different countries
In 2024, Ronald McDonald House of Greater Houston provided services to 32,900 individuals; 345,000 catered meals; 23,500 volunteer hours and 32,400 overnight stays, according to information from its website.
“ We have 121 sleeping rooms,” Anderson said.“ Our Holcombe House has seventy beds, and we have 15 family lounges at MD Anderson, Texas Children’ s Hospital and Children’ s Memorial Hermann. The family lounges are a place for families to relax during doctor visits.”
Revenue reflected in the organization’ s 2024 annual report showed operating revenue of $ 10,133,835, while the operating expenses were listed as $ 9,030,828. These figures represent the huge investment into the lives of families served by Ronald McDonald House of Greater Houston.
A LOCAL REVIEW
One patient currently staying at Holcombe House is Stetson Scott. Scott is the six-year-old son of Mary Lovett of Conroe and Brandon Scott of Palestine, and great-grandson of Mary Beth and Mark Scallon of Jacksonville. Stetson has undergone treatment for Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia, and a secondary cancer, Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis, since late January 2025. Although his leukemia is in remission following his bone marrow transplant, he continues follow-up treatments due to the LCH, and from complications related to treatment. They have resided at RMH’ s Holcombe House since September 19.
“ We’ ve met a lot of
1990s 205 total programs for families in 26 countries and regions
2000s 275 total programs for families in 43 countries and regions
2010s 618 total programs for families in 59 countries and regions
Today 655-plus total programs for families in 60-plus countries and regions
– Information from ronaldmcdonaldhouse. org / about-us / our-history
amazing families and made friends with people from all over the world,” Lovett said.“ England and other places and all over the states. He’ s made so many friends here.
“ They offer art studio time one-on-one in the studio. They offer music studio time. There aren’ t TVs in the room unless you buy your own, but they do have TV rooms open 8 a. m. to 9 p. m. They have lots of cool activities. Several different organizations come and do lunch and dinner and
Spring 2026 | Jacksonville Progress 19