40 years of caring

IN DECEMBER OF 2023, Mueller magazine introduced you to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas (RMHC CTX) here in Mueller. This organization offers families more than just a place to stay; it provides hope, comfort, and community during medical crises.

On June 18, RMHC CTX celebrated four decades of impact in the community. More than 100 attendees, including current and former families, volunteers, staff, community leaders, and major donors, gathered for the milestone event. Guests enjoyed live music, face painting, and heartfelt remarks from leadership. Among the guests were longtime donors and supporters, as well as event sponsors.

Attendees enjoyed the sights and sounds of the celebration, complete with activities and entertainment for adults and children alike. But, beyond the bells and whistles and celebratory fun, the real story lies in the magic of the House itself and the more than 30,000 families that have walked through its doors since RMHC CTX opened in 1985.

“At Ronald McDonald House Central Texas, we’ve spent four decades doing more than

providing a place for families to stay. We’ve opened hearts,” said CEO Thomas Kim during the anniversary celebration. “We stand as a testament to what a dedicated team of staff and community can build together: a refuge amid crisis, a welcoming place to stay, a kitchen filled with warmth, a space where fear meets compassion, and families find strength.” That mission, Kim added, remains unchanged: to keep families close during some of the most difficult moments in their lives.

COMFORT IN CHALLENGING TIMES

Whether it’s a warm meal after a long day in the ICU, a quiet space in a Ronald McDonald Family Room, or a comfort item from a Happy Wheels Cart rolling through hospital hallways, every service at RMHC CTX is designed to ease the burden on families with a seriously ill or injured child.

The first Ronald McDonald House in Central Texas opened in 1985 with just eight bedrooms and a single staff member. In the decades that followed, RMHC CTX grew not only in size but in scope. In 1993, it introduced the Healing Hearts program to support families grieving the loss of a child. In 2009, it launched its first Family Room—a quiet space just steps from a hospital bedside. By 2017, Happy Wheels Carts were rolling into seven local hospitals to deliver care packages and moments of joy to appreciative families.

A turning point came in 2007, when RMHC CTX moved into its current Mueller location: a 30-bedroom home on the Dell Children’s campus. With its signature red roof, the Mueller

House became a beacon of hope... and the heart of the organization’s operations.

“Today, the Mueller Ronald McDonald House is more than a place to sleep,” said Kristin

Coulter, Chief Operating Officer.

“It’s where volunteers serve home-cooked meals, kids play and learn, and families find the care and connection they need most.”

GROWING TO MEET NEW NEEDS

As Austin’s population booms and pediatric hospitals expand, RMHC CTX is expanding to meet the increased demand for services. Its growth hasn’t just been in square footage; it’s been in wraparound care. Over the years, the organization has added emotional support groups for caregivers, art and music therapy for children, playtime and tutoring for siblings, and even a day camp called Camp Red Bird, which helps kids process big emotions through creativity.

“At RMHC CTX, serving more families better is more than a goal; it’s our commitment,” said Coulter. “With the expansion of our Family Support Services programming, we’re deepening our roots in family-centered care.”

But despite all the progress, the need continues to outpace available resources. To address the growing demand, RMHC CTX launched the “A Place Like Home” capital campaign in 2021 with a goal to add 51 new rooms for families in need. The campaign took on new urgency in 2024, as two new children’s hospitals opened in the Austin area.

In response, the organization adopted a phased approach. Phase 1 focuses on opening a new Ronald McDonald House with nine suites inside the Texas Children’s Hospital North Austin Campus, expected to serve families by early 202G. Simultaneously, plans are underway to expand the existing Mueller campus with additional guest rooms called “Phase 1.5.”

The final phase will bring RMHC CTX to its goal of 51 new rooms, but the path forward relies heavily on continued philanthropic support.

HEALING AND HOPE

“This expansion is about opening our doors even wider, creating more spaces for love, healing, and hope,” said Kim at the 40th anniversary celebration. “We hope it means more

families hearing the word ‘yes.’ Yes to a warm bed. Yes to staying close to their child. Yes to feeling cared for during the hardest days of their lives.”

Stories shared at the celebration underscored the lasting impact of RMHC CTX. One family recalled staying at the House three decades ago when their daughter was a newborn. She is now in her 30s. “It reminded us,” said one staff member, “that this work matters. These families are the heartbeat of our House.”

As the celebration came to a close, the message was clear: RMHC CTX has never just been about bricks and mortar. It’s about the people, the families, the volunteers, the staff, and the donors who have poured their hearts into creating a home-away-from-home for those who need it most.

For 40 years, Ronald McDonald House of Central Texas has stood for comfort, care, and community. And, as it looks toward the next 40 years, it does so with open arms and an unwavering commitment to making sure no family ever has to face a child’s illness alone.