Reviewed by: Sharron Swain
45 years + counting—bringing the Ronald McDonald House to Birmingham
Reading time: 4 minutes
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In 1974, the first Ronald McDonald House was founded in partnership with the National Football League (NFL), thanks to the efforts of Fred Hill of the Philadelphia Eagles. Five years later, Birmingham local Marianne Sharbel saw the need for a House in Birmingham and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama (RMHCA) was born.
Nearing RMHCA’s 45th anniversary, we’re here to highlight what makes this mission so special and how you can get involved.
The “House that love built” turns 45 years old
The first Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham opened in 1979. (RMHCA)
In the 1970s, Marianne Sharbel was serving as the Public Relations Director at Children’s of Alabama when she saw a need for patients and their families to have a comfortable place to stay near their hospital.
“Parents were sleeping in the waiting room, hospital rooms or in their cars in the parking lot.
Part of the child’s healing is having family support. The families were not bathing or eating nutritious food and it was very high stress. One of the main things we needed to do was assist the parents who had little money.”
Marianne Sharbel, co-founder, RMHCA
While on a trip to Six Flags over Georgia, Marianne’s family stopped at a McDonald’s and saw they were raising money for the first Ronald McDonald House in Atlanta.
Curious, Marianne asked a few people what the Ronald McDonald House was and came home with one goal: get a House in Birmingham.
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Bringing the Ronald McDonald House to Birmingham
Marianne worked with Max Cooper, the local McDonald’s owner/operator, to open the sixth Ronald McDonald House in the world—the first to open debt-free and the first to open in a non-NFL affiliated city.
The original House had nine bedrooms and focused solely on serving cancer patients and their families. Now, RMHCA boasts a 73-guest House in addition to a UAB family room.
Each expansion of the Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham opened debt-free.
“You know why? Because of where we live.
The people in this community are giving and compassionate and if they can see the donation is going to something concrete—especially for children—they are very generous.”
Marianne Sharbel, co-founder, RMHCA
Contribute to this 45-year-old mission—donate $45 or your best gift in honor of RMHCA’s anniversary.
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The staff + volunteers believe in RMHCA’s mission
Starting as a volunteer in 2006, Katherine Estes Billmeier has served as the President and CEO of RMHCA since 2012.
When I asked Katherine how the team has held the same values for 45 years, her answer was simple.
“Whenever we hire new employees, the most important thing is that they believe in our mission.
That’s what makes it such a special place—every single person who works here or volunteers here is completely dedicated to the work we do.”
Katherine Estes Billmeier, President + CEO, RMHCA
When I visited the House in Birmingham, the passion for RMHCA’s mission was evident in each staff member and volunteer.
How does the team instill this passion?
Through programs and events such as:
- Comforting meals
- Family-centered care
- Family programs + activities
- RMHCA vehicle tag
- Signature + community events
“We continue to grow based on the needs of the families and what they’re dealing with daily.
I look back on the nearly 20 years I’ve been involved with this charity—I have seen it grow over time, and it will continue to stay viable in the community and support families.”
Katherine Estes Billmeier, President + CEO, RMHCA
Has your family stayed at the House in Birmingham? Share your RMHCA story.
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“Thank you!”
Whether you donated, volunteered or anything else, RMHCA wants to say “thank you” for the support you’ve given through programs like:
“Our mission is more like a magnet. People hear stories about what the House does and want to be a part of it.
I’ve been involved with a lot of fundraising things in Birmingham, but this is different. Here, everyone is on mission. We know what we need to do and want to reach the goal: help families with sick children.”
Marianne Sharbel, co-founder, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama
45 years later, we can look at the dedication of Marianne Sharbel and supporters who did whatever they could to keep families together in Alabama and beyond.
Donate $45 or your best gift in honor of RMHCA’s anniversary + share your RMHCA story.
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