The little smiles add up.

Keeping families close since 1990. Learn how you can help our families. Donate or volunteer today.

The little smiles add up.

Keeping families close since 1990. Learn how you can help our families. Donate or volunteer today.

Keeping Families Close

RMHC gives a family with a sick child what they need most — each other.

The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester, NY is to look after the health and well-being of children and families. We believe all families deserve access to quality care. That’s why we help reduce barriers by proving a comfortable place to stay at no cost. Whether it’s lodging, transportation, meals, or companionship, RMHCR provides a “home-away-from-home” to families while their children receive the medical care they need.

Colon Family

What Our Chapter Does

Keeping families with sick children close to each other and the care and resources they need.

Westmoreland Dining Room

Ronald McDonald House
A ‘home away from home’ for families with hospitalized children.

Family Room at Golisano childrens Hospital

Ronald McDonald Family Room
A friendly place for families to rest and healing in the hospital.

Get Involved

Get Involved
Learn how you can help families.

Westmoreland Livingroom

Stay with RMHC
Our house is here for you to stay during your family’s time of need.

House Information

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House Information

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House Information

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House Information

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The world became a little less intentional on March 15th when we lost our beloved Founder, Nancy Robbins. Nancy was a woman of tremendous strength, and passion. She was one of three Founders and the reason that the128th Ronald McDonald House was built and opened in Rochester on February 18, 1990. We thank Nancy’s vision and drive, which has resulted in our ability to serve over 20,000 families since our first day. I had the opportunity to see Nancy last Friday for a very quick visit, not knowing that it would be my last. Because it’s March, I brought her a shamrock shake, and even though she wasn’t feeling well, she smiled and lit up when she saw the “drink” that helped build The House That Love Built!

Nancy just celebrated her 100th birthday on January 28th, a very proud milestone she was committed to achieving. Her devotion to the Ronald McDonald House in Rochester has been apparent since she first began fundraising in 1985 through today. Nancy shared during a conversation that one of her greatest points of pride besides her children was being part of the inception of the Rochester chapter. Nancy was an amazing force, and it was such a privilege to know her these past 2 years and learn about our history from the woman who made it all happen. With her permission, we will continue to honor her memory and work through the Nancy Robbins Legacy Society. We had the honor and privilege to recognize her during our 2022 RMHCR Gala.
These were some of my remarks as we honored her that evening:
Nancy’s determination and commitment came from her personal experience of receiving the critical supportive services when her own child was impacted by a devastating diagnosis. Those of us who have had the privilege of knowing her, understand that there are many ways to describe Nancy… passionate, determined, spirited, tenacious, focused and assured… but one of my personal favorites is to affectionately refer to her as the “lady with the yellow boots”. She received that distinction because you would often find her at the construction site of 333 Westmoreland drive… each day overseeing the building of the first RMHCR in Rochester in 1990, as it was evolving into our “home away from home”. By then, Nancy’s yellow boots had already put in significant mileage as she was the primary fundraiser that went door to door raising money for the house’s construction.

Her personal experience as a mother of a child receiving critical care made her both a knowledgeable and credible resource to speak about the importance of supportive services through this powerful mission. Nancy’s unrelenting focus combined with her compassion and determination helped to place one brick on top of the other, both literally and figuratively… which built the chapter we celebrate today, it is truly my honor to recognize, my friend and the lady with the yellow boots.

-JoAnne Ryan
President, CEO

Latest Chapter News & Events

  • A Story of Remembrance. Written by Amy Hendrickson, mother of Dylan Dusinberre. Life was drastically changed forever for me, my son Brett, stepson Joshua and my entire family. On November......

  • Meet this very special young lady, Shade who lived at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester. Shade’ traveled to Rochester from Jamaica to receive treatment for her diagnoses of Leukemia.......

  • On February 25th, Retired Rochester Police Department Officer Dennis Cole checked into the House within the Hospital (HWTH).  He was tired and overwhelmed following one of the longest and most......

  • Maria’s daughter, Mia, was born prematurely at just a little over two pounds. Within days, Mia developed an intestinal condition that landed her in the NICU at Strong and set......