The Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House is a special place at the hospital where families can relax and get away while still being close to their critically ill child. We serve families in the Neonatal Intensive Care and Pediatric Units and are located at the east end of the Bakersfield Memorial Hospital campus; however, we serve families from all the local hospitals. The purpose of the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House is to alleviate stress by providing families with a comfortable alternative to sleeping in a chair or incurring the added expense of a hotel. Additionally, in the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House, families can find comfort and support in being surrounded with other families who are in similar situations.
The first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia in 1974. Today there are 286 Houses and 127 Family Rooms in over 30 countries and regions. Some of the different services offered to guests of the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House include:
• Three sleeping rooms that can sleep up to three people per room for family members to nap during the day and sleep overnight
• A fully-stocked kitchen and dining room area for making snacks or meals
• A computer room with internet access and books for everyone
• A living room with board games, cards, and a plasma television with a Wii game system or movies for all ages
• A laundry room for washing clothes during longer-then-expected stays
• Caring and supportive volunteers and staff here to help in any way possible
• Games, crafts, and activities for children
We rely on the generous support of volunteers and the community to maintain the Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House. For more information on how you can help or volunteer, please talk with any of our staff, call us at
(661) 327-4647 extension 4290,
or visit our website at
www.BakersfieldRMH.org.
