Ronald McDonald House program notes 30th year

Thu., Nov. 4, 2004

By Hilary Kraus hilaryk@spokesman.com

“Come visit, come visit,” nurse practitioner Chris Riebe encouraged passers-by as she stood inside the door of the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile one recent afternoon.

Her invitation into the rolling medical clinic was part of the Ronald McDonald House program’s 30th anniversary celebration.

Free cake, goodie bags for the kiddies and a whole lot of hugs and high-fives by Ronald, the most recognizable character since Mickey Mouse, were part of the festivities at the Shadle Park McDonald’s Restaurant.

Inside the mobile clinic, parked in the McDonald’s lot, Riebe was ready to attend to kids who needed anything from immunization shots to treatment for minor illnesses. Medical and dental services are available from infancy to age 21, regardless of the ability to pay.

Spokane’s Care Mobile, which arrived in October 2002, is one of 21 in the United States. The closest clinic is in Missoula.

Throughout the party, patrons of the Ronald McDonald programs left donations for the nonprofit organization.

The first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia on Oct. 15, 1974. It provided temporary lodging for families with children receiving medical treatment at nearby hospitals.

Today there are 220 Ronald McDonald House’s worldwide and 152 in the United States. The Spokane house, 1015 W. Fifth Ave., opened in 1987.

Two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms opened at Sacred Heart Medical Center on Aug. 25, 2003.

Last year, 454 families used the Spokane house, staying 6,930 family-nights.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.