SASKATOON — Saskatoon’s Ronald McDonald House (RMHC-SK) is celebrating a milestone anniversary in 2025, marking 40 years of serving families in need.
Forty dollars might buy you a sporting event ticket and a beverage or two, or it might be your weekly premium coffee order, but it can also be a simple yet meaningful way to crowdfund for RMHC-SK.
In a simple yet unique fundraiser, RMHC-SK says, “Our Forty for 40 campaign is a way for the public to contribute to RMHC-SK in our 40th year, as we look to raise the final 15 per cent of fundraising needed for our provincial expansion as part of our Miles to Go Campaign.”
Registration for this fundraiser opens July 12 and runs until Sept. 12 via the . During this time, the public can get involved by simply gathering 40 people to donate $40 each.
“Our goal is to collectively raise $400,000 with this campaign (and with the support of a $100,000 matching donor, this totals $500,000). To reach this goal, it requires 250 individuals to successfully crowdfund $1,600 per fundraiser (i.e., 40 people x $40/each),” said Courtney Hufsmith, communications manager.
When you get involved, families everywhere benefit. At RMHC, they believe no family should have to deal with their child’s medical crisis alone. Together, people can make a difference by participating in a fundraiser or making a donation to impact the lives of many.
The Saskatoon branch of RMHC told SaskToday that RMHC-SK was founded by a grassroots movement to fill a recognized gap in the health-care circle and was created as a program to provide a home-like environment for Saskatchewan families caring for sick children requiring medical treatment in Saskatoon. On Sept. 12, 1985, with the help of nearly 300 volunteers and a local McDonald’s franchisee — Bill Mitchell — Ronald McDonald House opened its doors in Saskatoon.
Hufsmith also acknowledges, “In true Saskatchewan spirit, donations for RMHC-SK poured in from over 475 communities, providing more than 7,000 individual donations from across the province for this purpose-built 13-room house.”
In 2014, RMHC-SK embarked upon a province-wide $12-million capital campaign and expanded its existing house to 34 rooms.
The communications manager also added, “Further to this expansion, in 2016 RMHC-SK partnered with the Victoria Hospital and the Saskatchewan Health Authority to open its first Ronald McDonald Family Room at the Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert. Currently there is one Ronald McDonald House and one Ronald McDonald Family Room in the province, and we are embarking on an expansion project to bring a house to Regina and a house to Prince Albert.”
Hufsmith affirms they have raised approximately 85 per cent of the $39.9-million fundraising goal and are relying on the help of Saskatchewan communities to take them the rest of the way.
RMHC-SK is the house that love built
Saskatchewan residents can watch for 40th anniversary celebrations to take place in Saskatoon, Prince Albert and Regina on Sept. 13, the day after the official anniversary.
The event is set to include activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a free lunch, family-friendly activities and a green and white draw. More information can be found on the website or social media pages.
“We encourage everyone and anyone to join us. For those that have stayed at RMHC-SK, we would love for them to bring their quilts, if they still have them, as we share stories,” said Hufsmith.
Hufsmith notes that combined volunteer hours for regular and community outreach totalled 16,317, with an additional 6,072 hours contributed by community partners. There are approximately 200 regularly scheduled volunteers for the house and family room. In total, 19,760 cookies were baked in the house last year.
“To add, there were 7,976 Home for Dinner meals served last year by volunteers and community groups [more on the Home for Dinner program can be found on their ]. The ‘How You Can Help’ section of our website lists all the ways that individuals can support RMHC-SK — whether that's through Home for Dinner, baking, donating wishlist items, volunteering, etc.”
In 2024, RMHC-SK supported 1,517 families in its 34 guest rooms, with the average stay being seven nights and the longest stay being 156 nights. Since 1985, RMHC-SK has supported 28,000 families. The board can be found , pending new additions or changes for 2025.
Hufsmith adds, “Information about eligibility can be found . Basic eligibility requirements are that the patient of the family must be a child that is 18 years of age or younger. The patient is either in, or coming to, Saskatoon for medical treatment, whether it be as an inpatient or outpatient. The family must live 40 km or more outside of Saskatoon.”
The suggested room contribution for families is $10 per night, which helps cover the cost of operating the house and keeping it in good repair. However, no one will be turned away if they cannot make the suggested contribution.
Hufsmith said every month there is a Wishlist Wednesday post shared on their social media accounts featuring top items the RMHC-SK Family Services team has identified as being in need.
“Ronald McDonald House Charities Saskatchewan relies on numerous donors to support the operation of house and family room programs. To generate funds for RMHC, franchisees and the McDonald’s corporation leverage their resources to implement national and local promotions, e.g., McHappy Day, Round Up, etc. Through the years, they have raised millions of dollars to help RMHC of Canada to fulfill its mission, and they continue to be a founding partner of the organization, contributing a portion of funds to RMHC operations,” said Hufsmith.
