Ronald McDonald House Richmond

Richmond McDonald’s Owner/Operator Community Capital Gift

Thu, 21 May 2026 00:23:59 +0000

Richmond McDonald’s Owner/Operator Community Invests in Planned Ronald McDonald House

The Together, Hope is Closer Capital Campaign Will Fund the Construction of Richmond’s New Ronald McDonald House in Historic Jackson Ward.

RICHMOND, VA – The Richmond McDonald’s owner/operator community has invested a combined $3 million into Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Richmond’s Together, Hope is Closer Capital Campaign.

The owner/operators of McDonald’s stores in central Virginia committed a tremendous gift of $2 million to the $40 million Capital Campaign. Their contribution signifies McDonald’s belief in RMHC Richmond’s vision of transforming its capacity to support families seeking medical care for their children in Richmond, Virginia. Additionally, Sue Durlak, a retired McDonald’s owner/operator and current board member at RMHC Richmond, is a vocal supporter of the project and gifted an overwhelmingly generous $1 million to the Capital Campaign.

The Together, Hope is Closer Capital Campaign will fund RMHC Richmond’s planned 50-bedroom Ronald McDonald House in historic Jackson Ward. The new Ronald McDonald House will more than triple the number of sleep rooms RMHC Richmond is able to offer families in medical crisis. With the rapid expansion of Richmond’s hospital systems, the House will enable RMHC Richmond to meet the rising demand for its essential programs.

The historic $2 million gift from Richmond McDonald’s owner/operators is preceded by a legacy of McDonald’s support for RMHC Richmond. In 1978, a Co-Op of Richmond McDonald’s owner/operators purchased the house that became the Ronald McDonald House on Monument Avenue, which opened its doors in 1980. Since receiving this foundational support, RMHC Richmond has continued partnering with local McDonald’s stores to change the lives of families in medical crisis.

Durlak has served as an integral supporter of the organization since 1986. Through decades of service and leadership, Durlak advocated for RMHC Richmond’s growth among her fellow McDonald’s owner/operators and the Richmond community.

As a major donor to the Together, Hope is Closer CapitalCampaign, Durlak shares that witnessing the organization’s growth over the years fuels her passion to see the culmination of this monumental project. “Who wouldn’t want to be part of this mission,” asks Durlak. “The fact that I could play even a small part in the extraordinary impact this new House will have on families in medical crisis makes it all worth it.”

Today, Round-Up funds raised in Richmond McDonald’s stores make up approximately 10% of RMHC Richmond’s operating budget. The $2 million Capital Campaign support goes beyond the Richmond owner/operators’ Round-Up contributions to directly support the new Ronald McDonald House.

The McDonald’s owner/operators responsible for the generous $2 million Capital Campaign include: Bill Barnes, Laurie Barnes, Coleman Bishop, Carey Burnett, Jeffrey Endrusick, Giuseppe Giaimo, Isaac Green, Corey Holeman, Courtney Holeman, Thang Nguyen, Mike Traub, and Craig Welburn. As passionate supporters of RMHC Richmond’s work, these McDonald’s owner/operators understand the need for community partners like McDonald’s to contribute to the Together, Hope is Closer Capital Campaign.

“Although [McDonald’s owner/operators] are very happy with Round-Up and the donations we receive from our customers, the reality is that it is not enough,” said Corey Holeman, McDonald’s owner/operator and RMHC Richmond board member. “We know that extra funds are needed to really support this Capital Campaign. That’s why we’re stepping in and doing even more!

For Richmond’s McDonald’s owner/operators, supporting RMHC Richmond’s Capital Campaign means contributing to a project that will benefit the region their stores operate within – and for many, the community they work and live in.

“RMHC Richmond is an organization that I believe in, and I’m in a unique position as an owner/operator to make an impact on my community at large.” Mike Traub, McDonald’s owner/operator and RMHC Richmond board member, said. “When I became an owner, I knew that I wanted to be someday able to look back on my career and know that I made a lasting impact on organizations that I believe in. The Ronald McDonald House here in Richmond fits that perfectly.”

RMHC Richmond’s transformative Together, Hope is Closer Capital Campaign was announced in March 2025 and has raised $20.5 million towards its $40 million campaign goal. Learn more about the Together, Hope is Closer Capital Campaign.

RMHC Richmond Receives $2 Million Gift from Rob and Jean Estes

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 15:36:10 +0000

RMHC Richmond Receives $2 Million Gift from Rob and Jean Estes

RICHMOND, VA – Ronald McDonald House Richmond announced a generous $2 million gift from Rob and Jean Estes. $1.5 million supports the Together, Hope is Closer capital campaign, while $500,000 is designated for the ongoing sustainability of the program expansion. Their contribution is the largest individual donor gift to the capital campaign thus far, representing a monumental step towards realizing plans for Richmond’s new, 50-bedroom Ronald McDonald House.

The $40 million capital campaign will bring a transformative new era for the nonprofit after 45 years in the current nine-bedroom Ronald McDonald House on Monument Avenue. Ronald McDonald House Richmond also operates a four-bedroom home inside Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU as well as other in-hospital programs in three additional Richmond area hospitals.

“We’re grateful and honored to support causes that uplift and care for families during some of their hardest moments,” said Jean Estes. “Ronald McDonald House Richmond provides comfort, support, nourishment and respite, so that parents and loved ones can focus on their child receiving care. We want to be a part of an organization that leads with so much heart.”

The Estes’ gift comes at a pivotal moment in the campaign, fueling momentum as Ronald McDonald House Richmond expands to serve more families and deepen its impact. The Estes family has a history of supporting important causes and regional projects that seek to improve care for children and families.

“Today, we’re celebrating a generous gift from a respected family that understands the importance of children’s health and how that can impact an entire family. We’re proud to have the support of Rob and Jean Estes, whose gift will help us reach our goal of serving more families receiving pediatric care in Richmond,” Ronald McDonald House Richmond CEO Emily Toalson said. “This is a critical milestone for the campaign with big goals of significantly increasing our size and scope and relocating to a new neighborhood that we plan to embrace – just as we have in our current home for over four decades.”

The 52,000-square-foot House will be located at 505 W Leigh St in historic Jackson Ward, about a mile from the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU and a short drive from the Richmond Region’s other pediatric-serving referral partners. With four immunocompromised suites, community meeting spaces, ample outdoor space, family lounges and more, Ronald McDonald House Richmond’s new home-away-from-home will enhance the organization’s program offerings and triple the number of families currently being served.

“We know the need for Ronald McDonald House Richmond’s programs is greater than the supply, and we see this as an opportunity to meet the need and help more families,” Rob Estes said. “We also view this as an incredible return on investment with the opportunity to create a lasting impact with a trusted organization like RMHC Richmond. It was an easy decision for us to help.”

To date, Ronald McDonald House Richmond has raised $20.4 million for the new House, putting the capital campaign at just over 50% of its overall fundraising goal. With this success, the organization aims to break ground in fall of 2026 and hopes for project completion as soon as Q4 of 2027.

Celebrating 45 years

Since 1980, RMHC Richmond has been a home-away-from-home for thousands of families each year, providing a comfortable place to stay, home-cooked meals and other amenities that resemble their home environment, and most importantly, a place near their child receiving treatment at referral hospitals and medical facilities. Families across Virginia, the United States and the world stay at the Ronald McDonald House in Richmond.

The current facility on Monument Avenue was established in 1980 as the world’s 16th Ronald McDonald House. Today, the House is one of more than 380 globally in 64 countries. Learn more about Ronald McDonald House Richmond’s Together, Hope is Closer Capital Campaign here.

Capital Campaign to Build New Ronald McDonald House

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 16:52:42 +0000

Capital Campaign to Build New Ronald McDonald House

On Wednesday, March 5th, we publicly announced our $40 million Capital Campaign to support a new, world-class Ronald McDonald House that will exponentially increase our impact on families in the Greater Richmond area.

Ronald McDonald House Richmond began serving families in medical crisis in 1980 with the opening of our Ronald McDonald House on Monument Avenue, a 9-room House that marked the 16th Ronald McDonald House ever to be opened. Today, there are 382 Ronald McDonald Houses across the globe.

Since the historic opening of our chapter’s first House, Richmond has grown into a nationally acclaimed pediatric specialty hub. While we have spent the last 45 years expanding our programs and finding new ways to meet families where they need us most, we currently only have 15 Sleep Rooms to accommodate what is estimated to be a 55-62 Sleep Room need in 2025.

A Look Forward

With our 50-room Ronald McDonald House, located in historic Jackson Ward, we will serve families in new and innovative ways.

We took great care in designing the House to accommodate families with complex medical needs, including four immuno-compromised suites to serve oncology and transplant patient families and wet rooms on each floor for disabled patients and caregivers to bathe safely.

The new House additionally includes amenities and specially-designed spaces that make it not just a building, but a welcoming haven for families navigating serious medical situations.

Its two kitchens, ample green space, reading rooms, robust children’s play area and more will help families rest and recharge outside of the hospital environment.

With the ability to serve nearly 3,000 families a year with an average stay of 8 days, this new facility will allow all families, including underserved populations, to access the best pediatric care possible. At the new House, we estimate providing $3,500,000 in value through Sleep Rooms, meals, transportation, laundry and more annually to families in need.

Announcement Press Release (3/5/2025)

In the News

At our Press Conference on Wednesday, March 5th, we were grateful to be joined by key stakeholders and supporters as we officially announced this transformative project. Check out the attention our “Together, Hope is Closer” Capital Campaign received from news outlets across Richmond!

Richmond BizSense
Richmond Family Magazine
Channel 8 – WRIC
Channel 12 – 12 On Your Side
River Road Living Magazine

Richmond Times Dispatch:

Engage with Emily: Meet RMHC Richmond’s New CEO, Emily Toalson

Fri, 05 Jul 2024 16:02:27 +0000

Engage with Emily

Emily Toalson
Meet RMHC Richmond’s New CEO

I’m Emily Toalson, and it’s a pleasure to introduce myself as the new CEO of Ronald McDonald House Richmond.

As a Mom of three, I understand the unique challenges of navigating parenthood and am grateful to live in a community that puts families first and provides critical resources like Ronald McDonald House Richmond.

Throughout my career, I have cultivated strong, trustworthy relationships and developed a deep understanding of Richmond’s pediatric healthcare landscape. Before assuming my current position, I served as Director of Development for the Children’s Hospital Foundation, where I played a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s fundraising initiatives.

I consider my greatest purpose in life to make a difference for others, and it is an honor and privilege to lead an organization with a mission that directly impacts the health and well-being of children and families in our community. Ronald McDonald House Richmond is able to serve hundreds of families each year because of a community that comes together to make it a priority, and I appreciate the strong relationships with the medical community, dedicated volunteers, loyal partners, donors and friends that ensure we continue fulfilling our mission.

As I assume leadership of this amazing organization, I look forward to meeting the many steadfast supporters who make our work possible and helping ensure the success of our mission to support and provide a home-away-from-home for families in medical crisis.

With deep appreciation,

Emily Toalson
Chief Executive Officer

New RMHC Programs Open at HCA Virginia Johnston-Willis Hospital

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 16:03:00 +0000

On June 4th, Ronald McDonald House Richmond opened Family Room and Hospitality Cart programs at HCA Virginia Johnston-Willis Hospital. These programs represent an exciting milestone for our organization as we expand our presence south of the James River for the very first time.

Our new Family Room, located in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, offers families a calming oasis from the hustle and bustle of the hospital. The room is complete with a comfortable sitting area and TV, a stocked kitchen area with a microwave and refrigerator, as well as books, magazines, board games and small comfort items such as toiletries and blankets.

The Ronald McDonald House Richmond Hospitality Cart will roll through the hallways of Johnston-Willis Pediatric units, offering families who can’t leave their child’s bedside activity packs, snacks, coffee, toiletries and more. To celebrate this remarkable achievement, we held aGrand Opening celebration and ribbon cutting on June 4th at Johnston-Willis with leadership from the hospital and the community, as well as several local McDonald’s Owner/Operators.

Our Guests of Honor

We were beyond grateful to be joined by the Grady family at the opening of our new programs. Their presence was a fantastic demonstration of the critical need for Ronald McDonald House Richmond’s programs, and represented a beautiful tie between Johnston-Willis and our organization. In 2023, Jacqueline stayed at the Ronald McDonald House on Monument Avenue for 19 nights after her daughter Olyvia was born prematurely at Johnston-Willis Hospital.

While staying at our Monument House, Jacqueline formed special relationships with other families at the House, recalling that she occasionally joined them for dinner and that they checked in on one another. She also found relief from the services offered by Ronald McDonald House Richmond that allowed her to focus on her recovery, both physically and mentally, and spend more time with her daughter. Jacqueline was particularly appreciative of the meals and snacks made accessible to her for free, sharing that not having to worry about cooking or food costs when she was preoccupied with being at her daughter’s side provided a huge source of comfort and gave her “the freedom to relax.”

The biggest impact that her stay at Monument House had on Jacqueline, however, was the care and attention she received from RMHC Richmond staff. Jacqueline grew very close with several of our staff members, who ensured that she was taking care of herself and were there for her when she was overwhelmed and needed to talk. She recalled that their attention brought her “a huge sense of calm,” explaining that“They don’t do it like it’s a job. It doesn’t feel like staff members, they feel like family.”

Today, Jacqueline is thrilled to have her family together now that Olyvia is out of the hospital. To share her story, Jacqueline insisted on stopping by our Monument House, where her son enthusiastically showed his friend our downstairs playroom and Jacqueline took the time to catch up with the staff members who had the greatest impact on her during her stay.

At the opening of the Johnston-Willis programs Olyvia was the star of the show, and Jacqueline’s glowing pride and love for her daughter perfectly captured why Ronald McDonald House Richmond works so hard to continue #KeepingFamiliesClose.