The first Ronald McDonald House opened in 1974.
It was established in Philadelphia to provide a place for families to stay while their children received treatment at nearby hospitals. The project grew from a partnership involving Philadelphia Eagles players, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and McDonald's. Football player Fred Hill helped lead the effort after his daughter Kim underwent treatment for leukemia.
McDonald's restaurants and franchisees supported the project through fundraising, giving the Ronald McDonald name a charitable meaning beyond advertising. The first house created a model that was later adopted in many communities around the world. Ronald McDonald House Charities eventually expanded its work to include family rooms, care mobiles, and other programs.
The charity's name is connected to McDonald's mascot Ronald McDonald, but the first house was not a restaurant or an advertising venue. It was specifically residential support for families with hospitalized children. The organization is also commonly abbreviated RMHC, while individual houses operate through local chapters and partners.