In the beginning a group of concerned parents gathered to form the Ronald McDonald House of Burlington which opened February 14, 1984. The First Congregational Church graciously offered their unoccupied parsonage to the founding committee for a 20 year lease at $1.00 a year. With community support in the way of furniture, wallpaper, paint, and volunteers to do the labor, we created what is known as "The House That Love Built".

Our House has six bedrooms, five bathrooms and three suites. Our common areas include a TV room, dining room, kitchen, playroom, and basement with a Nintendo, video games, air hockey table, and computer with Internet access.

Most of our guest families come to us from Vermont and northern New York; however we have had families and individuals from 39 other states and 31 countries! All our guests have seriously ill children seeking medical treatment at Vermont Children's Hospital at Fletcher Allen Health Care Facility.

Ronald McDonald House Charities History:

The very first Ronald McDonald House was opened in Philadelphia in 1974. This was accomplished through the efforts of Fred Hill, a former Philadelphia Eagles football player, Jim Murray, the team's general manager, and the many members of the team.

Fred Hill realized the tremendous need for families with ill children to gather together for support after his daughter Kim was treated for pediatric cancer. He understood the stress that is caused when a loved one seeks treatment at a hospital that could be many miles from home.

It was with this vision that he and Jim Murray proceeded and approached McDonald's owner operators in the Philadelphia area to raise funds for their cause. Dr. Audrey Evans, head of Pediatric Oncology at the Philadelphia Children's Hospital suggested a "home away from home" to accommodate these families who travel long distances for medical care.

Together, this team began raising money to build the first Ronald McDonald House. Fred Hill, Jim Murray, and Dr. Evans are still involved with the Ronald McDonald House Charities.