When a child faces serious illness, families often find themselves far from home, navigating the stress of hospital stays and medical treatments. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charlottesville steps in to ease that burden by offering a welcoming, affordable place to stay just minutes from UVA Children’s Hospital and Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital. More than just a roof overhead, the House provides meals, support, and a community of care—ensuring families can focus on what matters most: their child’s healing.

Mission & Purpose

RMHC Charlottesville exists to provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare. They offer families a temporary “home-away-from-home” during times of pediatric medical crisis—reducing stress, keeping families together, and offering support in a caring, home-like environment.

The House Itself

Located just blocks from UVA Medical Center, the facility serves as a shelter and resource center for families with seriously ill or injured children. Nearly 800 to 1,000 families stay there each year, with durations ranging from a single night to many months.

Key Features & Services

Accommodations & Amenities

  • 18 private rooms, most with en-suite bathrooms, modern kitchens, laundry facilities, playroom, dining and common areas.
  • Families receive linens, pantry and fridge space, a hospital-grade breast pump, and one parking spot per family.
  • A free UVA shuttle runs every 30 minutes (6:30 am–10 pm weekdays), with the hospital within 5–7 minutes walking distance.
  • A nutritious meal daily, often prepared by volunteers, along with additional food supplies as needed.

Financial Support

  • Families are asked to contribute $15 per night, with reductions or waivers available if needed.
  • Virginia Medicaid may be used to offset costs—families should bring the patient’s Medicaid card.
  • RMHC Charlottesville partners with local and corporate sponsors to cover what families can’t afford

How to Help & Get Involved

Volunteer Opportunities

RMHC welcomes volunteers from all walks of life—students, families, companies, church groups—with flexible schedules and no minimum time requirement. Examples of volunteer activities:

  • Deliver meals from restaurants or caterers
  • Adopt the house for a week to supply kitchen essentials
  • Organize or donate items from the Wish List
  • Host community or school fundraiser events
  • Provide landscaping, maintenance, or trades support.

Student Volunteers

Ideal for students aged 12+ (high school and college):

  • Commit to a semester, complete 2 projects or at least 10 hours, and meet a $500 fundraising goal
  • Activities include pantry and pop tab drives, activity nights, Give-Back Nights, Meals from the Heart, awareness campaigns, and fundraisers.

Pop Tab Program

  • Collect aluminum pop tabs (only—not the whole can) and donate them as recyclables
  • Each pound earns roughly $0.50, generating around $100/month on average.
  • Contribution equivalents:
    • 10 lb = 1 meal
    • 27 lb = 1 night stay
    • 55 lb = weekend stay
    • 190 lb = full week stay.

Adopt-a-Room

Sponsors can support a specific guest room for a year—helping pay for maintenance, linens, utilities, and other essentials.

  • In 2024, 821 families were served (including through partner hotels), with an average stay of 8 nights, and 88% unable to afford a contribution.
  • Sponsors receive recognition inside the room, on the website and annual report, guided tours, volunteer opportunities, and renewal priority.

Leave a Legacy

Offers multiple giving options to create a lasting impact:

  • Cash gifts, payable-on-death (POD) accounts, charitable trusts, IRA asset transfers, life insurance, securities donation, TOD accounts, or bequests in wills/living trusts.
  • RMHC Charlottesville can guide donors, but professional tax/legal advice is recommended

Events & Community Engagement

Upcoming community events include:

  • Annual Fall Rotary Golf Classic – September 19, 2025 (Heritage Oaks)
  • Harley-Davidson Fundraiser – September 20, 2025 (Ruckersville)
  • JackFest – October 26, 2025 (family-friendly festival at Foxfield)
  • Freeze Your Socks Off 5K Fun Run – February 8, 2026 (includes virtual participation)

RMHC Charlottesville is a local nonprofit devoted to keeping families close in their most challenging moments—offering lodging, meals, support, and community. Families receive affordable, comfortable accommodations near UVA Medical Center, along with meals and shuttle service. The organization is fueled by volunteers, donors, and creative community support, offering many ways to contribute—through volunteering, collecting pop tabs, adopting rooms, sponsoring, or legacy giving. Events throughout the year enrich the community and raise critical funds.