ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The phone lines have opened for the 39th annual BEE A Hero Day. It’s a fundraiser to support the Ronald McDonald House’s mission of providing families with comfort as their children receive care at Rochester-area hospitals.
News10NBC has spoken with families who say the Ronald McDonald House helped them through one of the most difficult times of their lives. The nonprofit provides housing, meals, and emotional support to families at its 24-bedroom house on Westmoreland Drive, within walking distance from Strong Memorial Hospital and Golisano Children’s Hospital. It also has housing within Golisano Children’s Hospital, just steps away from the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.
About 80% of funding for the Ronald McDonald House comes from donations. This year’s fundraising goal is $165,000, an increase from last year’s goal. Joanne Ryan, president of the Ronald McDonald House, said the nonprofit’s needs have grown.
“We know that we are having more and more children who need our services, so we want to make sure that we’re anticipating that as well. The technology that’s available to them now is amazing. And there’s a mecca for wonderful pediatric care here through our hospital systems,” she said.
How to donate
You can donate to the Ronald McDonald House online here. You can also call (585) 559-HERO or text the word “HERO” to 844-211-5414. People can also donate through Venmo using @ronaldmcdonaldhouserocny.
There’s also a silent auction to support the nonprofit, where you can bid on concert tickets, LEGO sets, gift baskets, and more. You can see the full list and place your bid here.
See our coverage:
Multiple families have spoken to News10NBC over the years about how the Ronald McDonald House supported them through the unimaginable: their child having a life-threatening medical condition. See our stories:
- Miraculous Micheala: How the Ronald McDonald House helped keep the Schadler family close
- Ronald McDonald House Charities introduces mobile healthcare and mental health programs
- ‘We’re blessed’; Ronald McDonald House helps parents whose baby spent 145 days in NICU
- BEE a Hero Day: Sammie and Emerson’s story
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