Dear Friends,

People find inspiration in different ways. As the CEO of RMHC Pittsburgh and Morgantown, I am inspired on a daily basis by the show of strength from the families we serve and the kindness of others who want to help them.

Every year, over 1,000 families stay at RMHC Pittsburgh and Morgantown. Each one on their own medical journey but all connected through an unwavering commitment of giving their sick child the medical care they need no matter how much it changes their world. These families give up their jobs and leave their homes for an unforeseen amount of time. As they share their stories with me, I hear worry and uncertainty but also hope and courage in their voices. The families at RMHC lift each other up when their own family is in crisis.

Additionally, families tell me how the Ronald McDonald House makes what seems like an impossible journey, possible. I tell them, it is because of all of you, our dedicated supporters. Your compassion is what makes the Ronald McDonald House a special place for the families who need it. The warm meals, filled pantries, special gifts and donations to keep the doors open do not go unnoticed.

As more families rely on our services, we want to ensure we can be there. Giving more families the comforts of home is why we are expanding and renovating at Ronald McDonald House Morgantown. Construction is underway and we look forward to sharing updates with you which you will find as you continue reading this newsletter. It means so much to be able to provide for everyone who needs our services.

Inspiration can be found in many ways. And for me, I find it through the amazing people I meet at the Ronald McDonald House.

Take Care,

Eleanor B. Reigel, MPH

Chief Executive Officer

RMHC Pittsburgh and Morgantown

Keeping Families Close

Please take a moment to see the impact you made in the first half of 2023.

We are so grateful for all the ways the community comes together

to support RMHC families.

Blue and Gold Showdown

WVU and Pitt fans rallied for families at the Ronald McDonald House by competing to raise funds for the Charity during the Blue and Gold Showdown on Sept. 16th. We want to give a special thanks to our friends at Alliance 412, Country Roads Trust for embracing the challenge and inspiring everyone to come together in support of the families! Their support covered more than over 200 nights of stay for families at the Chairity.

Additionally, leading up to game day, several of the players from each team joined in on the fun by visiting and serving meals at the Houses.

Nora’s Cozy Gift

Six-year-old Nora Caporali and her family collected over 1,000 pairs of pajamas for families at RMHC Pittsburgh and Morgantown. In 2019, Nora’s parents, Jenelle and Matt, began aNORAble Warrior’s Pajama Drive in honor of their daughter, Nora, who was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2018. On the evening she was diagnosed in the emergency room, her family was not prepared for a hospital stay and the facility only had mismatched pajamas in Nora’s size. Never forgetting that time, they hold the pajama drive each year. Check out Nora’s story on KDKA.

WV Fire Department Raffle

Our friends at Granville Fire Department. CO.17 held a Charity Donation Raffle and chose RMHC Pittsburgh and Morgantown as one of the beneficiaries! They made this donation in loving memory of Callie Atkins.

National Cheeseburger Day

Local McDonald’s Owner/Operators helped families celebrate National Cheeseburger Day with a generous donation of cheeseburgers and other items. It was a great lunch enjoyed by everyone!

Sunday Fundays with RSS

The Red Shoe Society (RSS) has allocated their annual dues to the Meal Program. The Sunday Funday Meal funds will be used to provide a meal once a week (Sunday!) for a month at both the Pittsburgh and the Morgantown Houses. Breakfast, lunch, or dinner will alternate between the two houses, ensuring that at least one meal per week is covered.



The Red Shoe Society of Pittsburgh and Morgantown is a young professionals group dedicated to making a difference in the lives of families at RMHC Pittsburgh and Morgantown.

In the News

RMHC Pittsburgh and Morgantown was featured on KDKA’s Sunday Spotlight in August. CEO Eleanor Reigel shared what makes the Charity special, highlighting its history, mission and support from the community. See the story here.

As Ronald McDonald House Morgantown undergoes construction for an expansion that includes 11 additional rooms and the renovation of existing spaces, we are excited to share with you profiles, updates and features during this transformational project.

Meet Kara Kimble

House Manager for Ronald McDonald House Morgantown



For nearly 9 years, House Manager Kara Kimble has ensured every family who walks through the door of Ronald McDonald House Morgantown has the comforts of home during their stay. Though having to adapt to new ways of doing things during this project, the commitment to meeting the needs of the families remains the same.

Describe your role as the House Manager for Ronald McDonald House Morgantown

I oversee the daily operations for the Morgantown House including the front office operations, family services, donations, maintenance, and volunteer program - I do a bit of everything.

How will the House operate during construction?

We are extremely fortunate to work with a construction group that understands our mission and knows we are passionate about serving families to the best of our ability. We will remain open throughout construction; we’ll just look a bit different. Because we will be undergoing such major changes to make our House better, we’re unable to accommodate volunteers on-site throughout the duration of construction. We will be relying on our Amazon Wish List Drives and meal donations to ensure we are still able to provide for the families we serve in-house daily.

What is most exciting to you about this project?

The project overall is exciting! As someone from rural West Virginia, I’ve been able to see firsthand the impact our House has on families across the state. Knowing that we will be getting crucial upgrades to our House that will allow us to better serve and accommodate our guest families is something I’ve looked forward to since joining the Charity. It’s been an honor to be a part in working towards this monumental moment in our history!

What makes the Ronald McDonald House special?

Simply put, we’re more than just a house. For the patient families we serve, we are their safe place. In providing daily meals, a comfortable place to rest, and a listening ear, we become more than just a house to our families when they need it the most.

The law firm of Bordas & Bordas kicked off its ninth season of the Sacks for Kids program, donating $500 for every sack the Steelers make during the season. In 2015, Jamie Bordas, managing partner of the law firm, began the program with the Pittsburgh Steelers to help families staying at the Ronald McDonald House have the comforts of home when they can’t be. Since its inception, over $250,000 has been donated. Furthermore, at each home game, there is an RMHC family chosen as the designated ‘Family of the Week’ in attendance who is featured on the videoboard at the stadium. Check out the kickoff event here.

Racetrack Road McDonald’s Makes Big Impact

In 2022, the Racetrack Road McDonald’s Restaurant raised $60,000 through the Round-Up for RMHC program. It was the fourth-largest amount raised in the country. This year, they have already raised $40,000. This remarkable feat is credited to a group of people wanting to help families with sick children get the services they need.

It was easy for Jason Straight, General Manager of the Racetrack Road McDonald’s, to get the managers on board with supporting the Round-Up for RMHC program. All he had to do was tell them about the mission of the Charity.

“We asked ourselves what would we do if we were one of those families needing the Ronald McDonald House, and from there, everyone just wanted to help,” said Jason.

Jason notes that asking customers to round-up is just a normal part of their day at the restaurant.

“We don’t even have to talk about it, it just happens,” he said.

He has even incorporated the fundraising program in every new employee’s training, teaching them about both the program and the mission of the Charity it supports.

One helpful hint that Jason shared during the training is that when asking customers to participate, always use the name of the Ronald McDonald House.

“We find that when we say the Charity’s name, people respond,” said Jason.

Jason acknowledges he has a competitive side and likes to get the other restaurants involved by having friendly competitions to see who can raise the most.

“It’s a fun way to raise funds and awareness,” said Jason.

Their enthusiasm at the restaurant to support the Charity does not stop with the Round-Up program. Additionally, Jason and some of the crew members spent a day at the Pittsburgh House making lunch for the families. Something they enjoyed so much; they will be returning.

It All Adds Up!

Red Shoe Ball

Red Shoe Ball - Built with Love

Saturday, November 11

PointView Hall

Carnegie Science Center

We look forward to celebrating the Houses that love built at the 2023 Red Shoe Ball with a night of tasty treats, fun cocktails and exciting live and silent auctions. Additionally, you will hear from an RMHC family who will share their journey and the impact your support made on their lives.