Ronald McDonald House is celebrating its 50th anniversary as an organization this year, but the Springfield Ronald McDonald House at the PeaceHealth Heartfelt House is a new addition to the area, having opened in 2019. Ronald McDonald House partnered with PeaceHealth to build a facility that serves the families of children in the hospital for long stays, along with the families of adults who are hospitalized.
Ronald McDonald House strives to take away any preventable hardship for families so they can focus on their loved one’s recovery, as well as provide a place of rest. The location is near the hospital, especially convenient for NICU families, who come from all over the Willamette Valley, Southern Oregon and the southern coast. Heartfelt House has 20 rooms — 10 on each hall — that have served 2,554 new families since opening in 2019.
But Ronald McDonald House is more than a free place to stay. “We provide lodging, but we also provide hot dinner every single night,” explains Jessica Ubel, Heartfelt House development director. “We have clothing, we have a van where we can provide transportation services. Our goal is to remove every barrier that we can for families who need to access medical care.”
A stay starts with the care management team making a referral, and once you’re referred, there’s no limit to how long your stay can last. “One of the most common needs is just that space to be able to recharge and heal and rest,” says Ubel. “I think that’s one thing we provide that sometimes people don’t even know they need until they get it.”
The house includes suites that sleep up to six people so families can stay together. Families can also enjoy the great room and other common areas with lots of natural light, a library, fireplace, games, and even a pool table. Outside there is a playground, more common areas, a fireplace, and a cooking area. There are also activities designed to help reduce stress and promote relaxation, such as music, crafts, and pet-assisted therapy. “It makes me emotional when people come in and they say, ‘Wow, it’s so peaceful in here.’ It’s like, mission accomplished,” says Robin Yozzo, guest services director for Heartfelt House. “It doesn’t have to be complicated when everything else in your life is complicated.”
Hot, home-cooked meals are served at least three times a week by community volunteers and donors like the employees of Oakmont Family Dental. “We don’t want it always just to be a monetary donation — we really want our team to get involved in the community,” says Oakmont Community Engagement Manager Karen Lyons. She says she has seen the impact Ronald McDonald House has on families over the years as they return for events and even volunteer themselves.
Ronald McDonald House provides a vital service to families facing medical crises. Ubel recounted a touching moment when one mother started weeping as she looked at the menu board and saw the various groups coming in to help. “She was so moved by all the people that would come in and take care of them while they were there,” Ubel says.
The team at Ronald McDonald House is always prepared to offer their guests a sense of calm and comfort. “When we hear a helicopter overhead, we immediately check our availability,” Yozzo says. “We’re sure that there’s a frantic family member somewhere speeding along, trying to get to the hospital, and they’re likely going to need a place to stay.”
Springfield Ronald McDonald House at the PeaceHealth Heartfelt House
