Dear Friends,

This spring, after a three-year hiatus due to COVID-19, we excitedly welcomed volunteers back to Ronald McDonald House Pittsburgh. It is wonderful to see so many familiar and smiling faces at the House preparing meals, decorating hallways and providing pet therapy visits. You can feel the energy shift when volunteers are here, and it’s hard to tell who’s enjoying their presence more—the families or the volunteers.  

During the time that volunteers weren’t in the Houses, they were resourceful and creative, finding new ways to support the families—an amazing testament of their dedication. 

The Pittsburgh House is now open to volunteers, however as the Morgantown House is currently under construction for an expansion that will allow us to serve even more families, in-person volunteering is limited at this time. We will continue to offer offsite opportunities as well. 

Our volunteers never waver—they help however they can. We are grateful to everyone who gave and continues to give their time and talent so families can have a place to call home. 



Take Care,

Eleanor B. Reigel, MPH

Chief Executive Officer

RMHC Pittsburgh and Morgantown

We are always excited to share the many ways the community comes together to provide families with the comforts of home. Here are just a few…

We are grateful to the West Virginia University American Marketing Association for creating spring treat bags for the families staying at both the Morgantown and the Pittsburgh locations! They included snacks, toiletries and small toys that brought smiles to everyone who received one!

We asked you to vote, and you did!

Thank you to Howard Hanna Insurance Services, Liberty Mutual Insurance and Safeco Insurance and all of YOU who voted for RMHC Pittsburgh and Morgantown during the Make More Happen campaign. Those votes unlocked the matching gift, resulting in $10,000 for the Charity. Your incredible support “made more happen.”

During the month of March, Freedom Kia of Morgantown WV selected RMHC Pittsburgh and Morgantown as the beneficiary of their charitable giving. For every vehicle sold, $50 was donated to the Charity.

With their best month ever, the team recently presented a check for $4,800. March may be over, but the partnership is just getting started. Thank you, Freedom Kia, for this incredible show of support.

Since 1979, Alpha Delta Pi’s National Philanthropy has been the Ronald McDonald House Charities. In April, Alpha Delta Pi at West Virginia Wesleyan College celebrated the 75th Anniversary of their chapter! Cheers to this amazing group of individuals who have come together in support of the Charity for decades. At their anniversary luncheon, they presented a collection of wish list item. We are touched by their thoughtfulness and look forward to celebrating many other milestones together in the years ahead.

Kayla Braznok’s reason to volunteer at RMHC Pittsburgh and Morgantown is very important to her. When Kayla’s daughter Karly was born, she was struggling with her breathing and was immediately transported to UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. There, Karly was diagnosed with Pierre Robin Sequence and a chromosome deletion. She was in the hospital for nearly two months. During that time, the Ronald McDonald House became a second home to Kayla.

About a year ago, Kayla was looking for ways to give back to the Charity when she came across the Red Shoe Society. The Red Shoe Society is a group of young professionals that supports RMHC Pittsburgh and Morgantown families. Once she learned more about the group, she knew she had to join.

“For me being a part of the Red Shoe Society means we all work together to bring joy and happiness to families. When I was staying there the little things meant a lot and I know how much they will mean to somebody else,” said Kayla.

Since joining the group, she has volunteered at special events like FlightFest, a fundraiser benefiting the Charity and helped during a special Red Shoe Society Day of baking sweet treats with the families.

Kayla’s desire to help at the Charity does not stop with the Red Shoe Society. As a 12-year employee at the Uniontown McDonald’s, she also participates in the yearly toy collection drive held by MAAK Alamo LLC . All 19 restaurants partake in this special project to bring extra holiday cheer to the Ronald McDonald House.     

“It is such a wonderful thing for so many people to come together and help round up gifts for children who cannot go home for Christmas,” said Kayla.

Additionally, Kayla recently hosted a dinner for the families at Ronald McDonald House Pittsburgh in honor of her daughter’s seventh birthday.

“The Charity does so much for the kids and families, and I enjoy helping in ways that I can,” said Kayla.

McDonald’s and Malkin Team Up for RMHC Families 

Evgeni Malkin and local McDonald’s restaurants have donated $117,860 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown as part of Malkin’s ‘I’m Score for Kids’ initiative.

Malkin, who ranked second on the Penguins with 83 points in 2022/23, committed to donating $710 per each of his regular-season points this season to RMHC of Pittsburgh and Morgantown, bringing his donation to $58,930. Local McDonald’s restaurants matched Malkin’s donation, increasing the total donation to RMHC to $117,860.

“We’re deeply moved by Evgeni Malkin’s commitment to Ronald McDonald House,” said McDonald’s Owner/Operator Joe Nyanko. “That’s why we’ve decided to match his donation dollar for dollar to help even more families stay close to each other and near the life-saving medical resources they need.”

As a result of this initiative, Malkin was named the Penguins' King Clancy Memorial Trophy nominee. The trophy is presented to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community. 

Read more in the news

KDKA-TV News

Pittsburgh Post Gazette

Walking Miles for Smiles 

It may have been a rainy morning, but that did not deter RMHC walkers from participating in the Highmark Walk for a Healthy Community on Saturday, May 13.

Joining us on this special day was The CONSOL Cares Team. With more than 30 walkers, this group of dedicated and dynamic individuals brought their enthusiasm to the event to support RMHC families.

“The Walk is a fun way to connect outside of work and support the mission of RMHC,” said Erica Fisher, CONSOL Cares team.

Also participating was Little Donnie’s Happy Meal Gang. This team has been walking for the Charity for six years. Donnie and his family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House when he was born. They walk to support others who call the Ronald McDonald House home just as they did many years ago.

Additional teams included the Red Shoe Society, RMHC volunteers and staff, and other supporters of the mission. Collectively, more than $10,500 was raised, covering 117 nights of stay for families traveling for medical care. 

Big Mac Open Celebrates 30 Years 

180 golfers filled the golf course for the 30^th annual Big Mac Open. At the sold-out event, participants enjoyed a day filled with contests and prizes, raffles, meals and a round of golf at Valley Brook Country Club. While celebrating this three-decade fundraiser, special remarks were made by event and Board Chairman, Mark Giaquinto; RMHC Pittsburgh and Morgantown CEO, Eleanor Reigel and good friend of the Charity, Morris Johnson.

The generosity of our guests and event sponsors was overwhelming, raising over $100,000.

“I am convinced that having safe shelter at a reduced cost during this time was and is precisely the tangible lifeline—that crucial safety net—needed to help a family keep it all together.” --Morris Johnson

Red Shoe Ball

Red Shoe Ball - Built with Love

Saturday, November 11

Point View Hall

Carnegie Science Center

We are very excited for this year's Red Shoe Ball, remembering last year's event with these photos.