Home for the Holidays
November 8, 2024
At Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Greater Chattanooga, the mission has stood true for over thirty-four years; to provide families with the care and resources they need when their child is sick and to support programs and services that directly improve the health and well-being of children. In an effort to aid families with children receiving medical care, RMHC provides a safe place full of provisions, allowing families to focus on what matters most: their sick child.
RMHC operates with the understanding that life cannot be put on pause due to unforeseen circumstances; however, there is space to ease the chaos for families.
This space is filled by four major programs that follow a "continuum of care" model, focusing on helping families navigate their medical journey far beyond their stay in the House. When families confront a critical illness or injury, their struggles do not end with the discharge process. As a result, RMHC of Greater Chattanooga proudly operates their Family Room, Mindful Room, and House to Home programs in addition to their House.
Ronald McDonald House’s twenty-eight-bedroom facility operates 24/7, 365 days a year. Fresh meals, laundry services, and comfortable beds do not take a holiday in their Home, because unfortunately, critical injury and illness do not take holiday either.
No matter the day, their House is fully operational with staff, volunteers, and of course families.
Nineteen years ago, Donna and Marty Lowe found themselves calling RMHC their “home for the holidays” after their son, Mason, was born eight weeks prematurely with fluid in his lungs. Mason critically needed time in the NICU to heal and learn to breathe on his own, so the couple began searching for a place to stay near the hospital. After a nurse overheard the two discussing their difficulty finding an available hotel room, she suggested the Ronald McDonald House. “The nurse helped Marty coordinate with the staff, and by the time I was released from the hospital, RMHC had arranged everything for us. We had a place to stay across the street from our son, which was priceless,” Donna continues, “Staying at the Ronald McDonald House saved us both financially and emotionally. Knowing we were just steps away from Mason allowed us to be close when we couldn’t physically be with him. When your child is in the NICU, you can’t stay all day; there are scheduled times for visits. Being nearby was invaluable and kept us grounded during those long days and nights.”
Through meals prepared with care, welcoming accommodations, and many support services provided by dedicated volunteers and staff, RMHC seeks to offer a resemblance of relief and normalcy during extraordinarily challenging times. “The Ronald McDonald House felt familiar from the moment we arrived,” Donna says, “At first, there was an awkwardness because you don’t know what to expect.” You don’t want to impose or overstay your welcome. But those feelings quickly faded because of the warmth and love that filled the house. It was Christmas time, yet the staff and volunteers were there, making sure everything was taken care of, just as they would any other day. What surprised us most was the seamless way they provided every necessity—a room, shower, kitchen, and the comfort of a home.”
The holidays are meant to be spent with loved ones, and Ronald McDonald House understands this power. “Spending the holiday season away from home, with your child in the NICU, is heartbreaking. Christmas should be joyful, but with Mason's uncertain health, it was hard to find that joy, The hospital felt somber and quiet. When we moved to the Ronald McDonald House, everything changed,” Donna says, recalling a memory of making ornaments with other families facing similar circumstances. “The holiday spirit was alive there- it was warm, celebratory, and filled with care. The staff brought the comfort and joy of the season into our lives, creating an atmosphere of love and compassion.”
Families staying at the House often find solace in one another, as they are experiencing similar hardships. “We shared the Ronald McDonald House with many other families, each of us bound by similar, heartbreaking experiences. Among them was a couple who had a baby girl admitted to the NICU on the same day as Mason. Although we didn’t see them often, every encounter with them at the RMHC was a moment to exchange updates and lean on each other. Tragically, their daughter didn’t make it, but those conversations left an indelible mark on us,” Donna remembers. “In the face of such uncertainty, the Ronald McDonald House brought us together, creating bonds that are impossible to forget. As a mother, my mind would often wander to worst-case scenarios, making it hard to sleep. One comforting memory was waking up in the middle of the night and heading to the kitchen. Once, I found some homemade cookies left for the families. I can’t recall what kind they were, but another parent and I ended up talking for what seemed like hours—long enough to finish the remaining cookies. Those quiet moments, often shared with other parents, became therapeutic. We exchanged stories, shared our worries, and found a silent understanding that helped us feel less alone.”
Stories such as Donna, Marty, and Mason’s are the very reason Ronald McDonald House operates; to provide comfort, hope, and togetherness.
The House That Chattanooga Built: 35 Years of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga
For 35 years, the promise of rest, food, a hot shower, and a short walk to a child’s bedside has defined Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga. The mission is clear: to provide families with the care and resources they need when their child is sick and to support programs and services that directly improve the health and well-being of children. Since 1990, that mission has remained steadfast, sustained by a community that shows up. Since its inception, the House has served more than 20,000 families, offering a home away from home completely free of charge. While the average cost for one night’s stay is about $150, families never see a bill, thanks to the generosity of Chattanooga’s donors, volunteers, and business partners. Over the years, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga has expanded beyond its original 12-bedroom house into a 28-bedroom facility and two additional core programs designed to meet families where they are. The Ronald McDonald Family Room inside Children’s Hospital at Erlanger extends comfort into the hospital itself, offering rest and respite to anyone with a loved one in the hospital. House to Home, developed in partnership with the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga and its Cleveland Family YMCA branch, serves families from Bradley County, the largest feeder county of guests to the Chattanooga House. The program helps families continue receiving support and resources after leaving the House, guiding them through recovery and transition back to daily life. Much of the House’s lasting impact can be traced back to the leadership and vision that guided it from the beginning. Jane Kaylor, who served as CEO for 32 years before retiring in 2022, led the effort to bring Chattanooga’s Ronald McDonald House from an idea to a reality. Kaylor’s dedication to helping families began with her own. In the early 1980s, her daughter Lori battled leukemia for six years before passing away at age nine. During that time, Kaylor often traveled to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis and longed for a place where families could stay near their child, rest, and find comfort in the company of others who understood. Years later, when Kaylor received a call asking if she would help determine whether Chattanooga needed a Ronald McDonald House, she didn’t hesitate. With the help of McDonald’s owner/operators, hospital leaders, and local businesses, she helped raise the funds to make the dream a reality. The House officially opened on Erlanger property under a unique agreement — a 40-year ground lease for $1 per year. Kaylor recalls one of the local McDonald’s owner/operators and former RMHC board member, Ted Lyons, pulling out two $20 bills on the spot, prepaying the lease and setting the tone for a city that shows up. On November 18, 1990, the Ronald McDonald House opened its doors to its first family. The same spirit of generosity that built the House soon led to a defining partnership that continues today. For more than two decades, iCON Air & Mechanical Services has been one of RMHC’s most dependable and generous partners—providing HVAC and plumbing support, financial donations, and even payroll deduction opportunities so employees can give back directly. For Glenn Conkle, President and COO of iCON Air & Mechanical Services, that commitment is deeply personal. “At iCON, we believe family is truly the backbone of our society,” Conkle shared. “When an unexpected illness or situation arises with one of our children, the last thing a family should have to worry about is where they will stay, where they will eat, or how long they will be gone from the hospital. When our youngest son was very ill and hospitalized many years ago, my wife and I personally experienced having to drive back and forth from home to the hospital, so we know the importance of being able to stay close by.” That connection deepened when one of iCON’s own employees, Danny Fay, and his wife, Shauna, stayed at the Ronald McDonald House after their son was born prematurely. “To us, the Ronald McDonald House means one word—love,” the Fay family shared. “They opened their doors so we could be there for our son and cared for us through some very difficult days. We are forever grateful for the love they gave us when we needed it most.” Conkle says it’s experiences like these that have shaped iCON’s long-standing partnership with RMHC and strengthened their belief in the mission. “Not only has the core group of iCON employees been a partner of Ronald McDonald House for the last 25 years, but we’ve experienced firsthand the important service they provide. We are proud to be partners and sponsors of the Ronald McDonald House.” Director of Facilities and Maintenance, Garland Sherman, has witnessed iCON’s impact on the House for decades. Before joining the staff, Sherman owned Garland Sherman Masonry, the company that bricked the original House during construction in the late 80’s. Captivated by the mission, he joined the Board of Directors in 2003, served for eight years, and often lent his expertise to House projects before officially taking on the role of overseeing its maintenance, a position he has held ever since. “iCON has great qualified employees who understand our mission and are always willing to help us,” Sherman said. “They are a great partner for RMHC and help us out in any way they can.” He takes pride in ensuring every family that walks through the doors finds comfort and security in a space that feels like home. Thanks to partners like iCON, the House remains a place where families can focus on what matters most: their child’s healing. Since stepping into his role in 2022, President and CEO Dr. Michael Brown has continued to lead the organization with the same compassion and purpose that defined its beginning. “When I accepted the RMHC Board’s offer to lead this incredible mission, it felt less like a choice and more like a calling,” Brown said. “From day one, I knew I was meant to be here. Meeting our passionate board members and volunteers, I was deeply moved by their love and commitment to our families. I’m proud to follow in the footsteps of those who built this strong, compassionate foundation. Their legacy inspires us every day, and I’m honored to carry it forward with purpose and gratitude.” It’s nearly impossible to capture what 35 years at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga truly mean: decades of trust, service, and compassion that have carried thousands of families through their hardest days, and the community that keeps showing up to make it possible.
This House is much more than a building, it is a place where parents can find peace over a cup of coffee, siblings can make fast friends in the playroom, and a long day in the hospital can end with a shared meal and the comfort of not being alone. Ronald McDonald House hallways have seen spirits break and heal- but one thing stays the same: the families are the heart of the Home. For three and a half decades, RMHC’s mission has remained unwavering: To provide families with the care and resources they need when their child is sick and to support programs and services that directly improve the health and well-being of children. More than just a place to sleep, RMHC Chattanooga offers home-cooked meals, a warm bed, and a supportive community that understands the emotional toll of medical trauma. No matter the length of time or service utilized, the goal is to lift the strain families are facing. Every room in the House holds a powerful story. Some begin with the fear of an early birth, others with a diagnosis no parent expects. In just the first few months of 2025, a mother found rest while her 9-year-old daughter received leukemia treatment next door at Erlanger. She was joined by her two younger daughters, and for 51 nights, this House became their safe place. In another room, a mother stayed close during her newborn’s 112-day fight in the NICU. Her baby boy was born at just 24 weeks. She remained strong, showing up each day alone while dad continued working back home. A few doors down, a family from Rhea County checked in after their newborn’s emergency transfer to the NICU. They stayed for 106 nights, finding strength in the rhythm of close hospital visits, prepared meals, and the community of other parents walking a similar road. These are not rare stories, but the reality inside the walls of RMHC for the past 35 years. From its beginnings as a 12-bedroom house, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga has grown into a multi-program organization focused on meeting families where they are. The Ronald McDonald Family Room at Erlanger extends comfort into the hospital itself, while House to Home provides support beyond a family’s stay. The addition of the Mindful Room offers a quiet, reflective space inside the House designed for emotional rest and healing. This incredible work would not be possible without the generous support of the local community. From corporate sponsors and longtime donors to volunteers and Adopt-A-Meal groups, countless people have played a role in sustaining the mission. McDonald’s owner/operators, in particular, have been an essential part of the organization’s foundation and future, contributing not only funds but also time, heart, and advocacy since the facility’s inception. Since 1990, RMHC of Greater Chattanooga has served thousands of families, each with a story that shaped the organization’s legacy. While the programs may grow and evolve, the aim will always be the same: to support families when they need it most, with compassion, understanding, and care. As RMHC of Greater Chattanooga celebrates this milestone anniversary, it also steps into a new season— one rooted in the same love that has carried the mission since day one. While much has changed, one thing never will: family will always be the heart of the Home.
