What are the accommodations like?
The house is a beautiful, nine-bedroom house on historic Monument Avenue in Richmond's Fan District. Each family that stays with us is provided a private bedroom and access to five full bathrooms and two half bathrooms that are shared among our guests.
Other common areas such as the kitchen, living room, dining room and playroom are also shared enabling families to build friendships and draw support from others who also have a child in the hospital.
Bedroom sizes vary. Some rooms have a double bed, where others have a queen size bed along with a trundle in order to accommodate larger families. We do our best to match the room size to the size of the family.
Our policy is that one family gets one room. For larger families, if and only if we have the space, they may be split up into more than one room with the understanding that if we need the room for a new family, folks must move back into the original room. We will make sure this is agreed to before a second room is given.
All of our bedrooms are located on the second and third floors, with no elevator. If you have a problem with stairs, please let us know when you make the reservation. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.
We do have one accessible room for the disabled on the first floor of the House. This room and its adjacent accessible bathroom are reserved only for our families with a member who has a disability and cannot go up the stairs.
How do I make a reservation?
Reservations are accepted between 9:00 am and 9:00 p.m. and will be taken in advance, but must be confirmed by the family, the day before you arrive arrival to check on availability of a room. In most cases, we accept reservations for only immediate family members (mother, father, guardian, brother or sister).
Potential guests must have a referral from the hospital the patient is going to be in. Referrals are as easy as a phone call to the house (804 355-6517) and can be done by a nurse, doctor, social worker, patient representative, chaplain or anyone at the hospital who can confirm that the patient is indeed scheduled to come to their facility.
Families will have priority on the rooms in the Ronald McDonald House in the following order:
- Immediate family members of hematology/oncology patients age 21 and under.
- Immediate family members of patients 21 and under who have other life-threatening, catastrophic or chronic illnesses or injuries, including families of patients who are in an intensive care unit;
- Immediate family members of all other pediatric patients;
When the House is fully occupied, guests already staying with us will have priority over incoming guests. We will make every attempt to accommodate all guests.
Each time you stay at the house you must be referred by a hospital social worker, nurse or doctor.
Any person under 18 years old must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and have a valid, government issued photo identification. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Every thirty days a family stays at the House, that family will be reviewed by the Executive Director.
What is the check-in procedure?
Guests are welcome to check in between 9 am AM and 9 PM seven days a week and all guests MUST present a valid, state/military identification or passport. There are no exceptions to this rule.
Potential guests must have a referral from the hospital the patient is going to be in. Referrals are as easy as a phone call to the house (804 355-6517) and can be done by a nurse, doctor, social worker, patient representative, chaplain or anyone at the hospital who can confirm that the patient is indeed scheduled to come to their facility.
Once the referral is received, it is the responsibility of the family to call the Ronald McDonald House the day before their scheduled arrival to confirm the reservation.
How much does it cost to stay at Richmond RMHC?
There is a suggested family donation of $7.50 per room, per day. If guests do not have that, they are welcome to make a smaller donation, mail a payment later, or we can waive the fee.
Are there any house rules?
The Richmond RMHC RMHC-Richmond is a volunteer operation and while you are staying here you are one of the volunteers. We ask that you, as a volunteer, keep your room, your bathroom, the kitchen and the common areas clean. Please be considerate of fellow guests.
Please keep in mind that violation of the house rules will may result in your being asked to leave.
If the executive director and or the chairperson of the executive committee of the board of directors determine that a family is disruptive to the community living process, the director will require a family to check out of the house.
Do I need to bring linens with me?
Bed linens and towels are provided in each room. Downstairs, we have laundry facilities where you can wash these linens and place them back in your room when you are ready to check out.
Can I cook meals while I am there? What's the kitchen like?
The kitchen is stocked with dishes, glassware, silverware, pot, and pans. Coffee, tea, creamer, sugar, salt, and pepper are also provided.
You are to provide your own food and do your own cooking. You may store your food on a shelf you designate or in the refrigerator. Mark your name on your food with the marker and masking tape labels located on top of the refrigerator.
Use only your own food, food marked "anyone," or food stored in the glass front cabinets in the breakfast nook. that is clearly designated for use by all.
Food is to be eaten only in the kitchen, breakfast nook and dining room areas only.
No food or drink is to be carried to the bedrooms.
Clean your own utensils, dishes, and eating area immediately after eating. All glasses, utensils, and dishes must be cleaned in the dishwasher.
Where do I park my car?
Parking is available either directly in front of the house, across the street or in the parking lot behind it. The rear parking lot is reached by driving to the end of the block, around the corner and then down the alley.
Parking spots are assigned to families when they arrive.
When you park, please lock your car and do not leave anything visible in it to encourage theft. The house will not be responsible for anything stolen.
Our "good neighbor policy" requires that guests do not park in front of our neighbors' homes.
With so many people in the house, doesn't it get noisy?
Quiet time is observed from 9 p.m. to 9 am. Please be considerate of other guests.
Please advise your family and friends that no incoming calls should be made during these hours should be kept to a minimum. All children should be in their room at this time. Absolutely no running or loud playing after 9 p.m. will be allowed in the house.
Can I watch television?
Televisions are allowed in the bedrooms, but not provided. Families are welcome to bring a television with them. At the first complaint of noise from another family, the Executive Director will ask the family to remove the television from the House.
We have two three television rooms in the house that are available for use. One is the main living room, another is in the playroom and the other last is downstairs adjacent to the playroom. Both All have VCRs and basic cable and we have a large selection of movies to choose from.
What is the policy on tobacco products and drugs or alcohol?
No drinking of alcoholic beverages is allowed. No weapons or illegal drugs are allowed. Guest should also not arrive at the House intoxicated.
Smoking may be done outside of the House in the designated smoking area only. We ask that cigarette butts be contained in the proper receptacles. Please do not flick them onto the sidewalk or in the street.
Who cleans such a large home?
It is your responsibility to keep your bedroom, bathroom and all common areas in the house clean. As in hotels, staff will be checking your room.
A cleaning service works in the house once a week, but does not clean private rooms.
Is there a fire exit?
Yes, please make note of the fire exit map on your bedroom door and the fire exit door on your floor.
Can I leave me child in the playroom while I cook?
Children may not be left inside the house unattended. Your children must be with you at all times.
When you are in the house, you may not leave your children in the playroom unattended.
Also, you are responsible for being sure your children clean up after themselves.
What if I need to call home, or the doctor needs to call me?
The phone number at Richmond RMHC-Richmond is (804) 355-6517. Although we realize that many people use mobile phones, if you'd like to save your minutes, we have an unlimited long distance phone plan for calls within the continental U.S. International calls are blocked unless a phone card is being used.
Guests should not answer house phones. The staff will do this.
Each room is equipped with an intercom phone to notify you of any incoming calls on the house phone. Incoming calls are taken on the House phone between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.; then calls are recorded on an answering machine. The messages will be recorded in your absence and left in your mailbox.
If someone calls for you after 9 p.m. they need to know your room number to be connected directly to the room. Otherwise, they may leave a voice mail message in the general voicemail box.
Are the outside doors locked at all times? What if I have a visitor?
All external doors are locked 24 hours a day. You will receive a key that opens the front and back doors so you can come and go as you please.
Always keep your bedroom door locked. We cannot be responsible for valuables.
Do not admit anyone to the house. Please also keep all the house doors locked at all times. Do not walk unescorted in this neighborhood after dark.
Guests are welcome at the house between 9 am and 9 p.m. (normal operational hours) and are asked to visit in public spaces only.
I will not have a car with me, how will I get to the hospital?
The House has a van driver, Bill Shaw, who is available to give rides Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The van also makes additional pickups at 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. On weekends, a weekend manager will transport you to where you need to go. Please arrange these trips as far in advance as possible.
All guests must call the house for rides at least 60 minutes before the prearranged pick-up times (3, 6 and 8).
What is your home health care/infectious disease policy?
You will be asked to read our Home Health Care/Infectious Disease Policy and sign that portion of your registration sheet indicating that you have read, understand and agree to abide by the policy.
In brief, staff members and volunteers cannot sign for or give medications or medical supplies, nor can a child needing a respirator or ventilator stay at the house.
What about infectious diseases, like the flu?
If you or anyone staying with you in the house has been exposed to an infectious disease within the last three weeks, please notify the director before your arrival.
If anyone at the house contracts a contagious disease, the director should be notified immediately. This information will be kept confidential.
What do I do if I need to mail a letter?
Mail is delivered to the house around noon and is then distributed to the mailboxes. You may leave stamped letters in the mailbox for pickup by the carrier.
We are ready to go home! What do we do to get checked-out?
Please be sure your room is ready for the next family; the way you leave it will be the way they find it. You should be given a check out sheet. If you were not, please just ask a staff member for one.
Please launder your towels and linens then place them back in the room. Empty your garbage can; dust, vacuum and straighten up the room.
Complete the checklist then give it and your key with the director, staff member or volunteer.
At this time you can make your donation to the house, the suggested $7.50 per night.
Please give the director as much notice as possible before your departure day and time. If you plan to leave when the office is closed, please make arrangements in advance with the director. If you accidentally leave with the keys, please mail them back immediately.
And finally...
The director, staff, and volunteers will try to answer your questions and help in whatever way they can. Please keep in mind, though, that the staff here after 9 p.m. are to help with emergencies only.
To operate a house this size on a volunteer basis, we need your cooperation.
We welcome your suggestions. Let us know if we can make your stay more comfortable in any way.
Thanks for keeping "The House That Love Built" a pleasant place to stay.