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In 1982, the Junior League of Galveston County, Inc. began to study the feasibility of providing housing for the immediate families of the children hospitalized in Galveston. After more than four years of work and research, Help Us Give Support, Inc. (HUGS of Galveston), a non-profit corporation, was established to direct the building and management of a Ronald McDonald House in Galveston.
The Capital Campaign began in the fall of 1986 and was successfully completed thanks to support from many individuals, businesses, corporations and foundations. The generosity of the Sealy and Smith Foundation enabled construction to begin in the spring of 1988. The Grand Opening was held in May 1989, and families have occupied the House since June 1989. The high occupancy rate experienced by our House is proof positive of the continuing need for our facility.
In 1997 the name Help Us Give Support, Inc. was legally changed to The Ronald McDonald House of Galveston. Our local Ronald McDonald House is independently owned and operated. However we operate as a Ronald McDonald House under a license agreement signed with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oakbrook, Illinois.
A needs assessment, completed in 1999, showed that we not only needed an outdoor covered play area, but interior play space and storage to accommodate our many burned outpatients and those children who are immuno-suppressed. Our island climate simply does not allow these children to play safely outdoors. After nine years of planning, property acquisition and fundraising the $3 million Playground/Expansion Project was completed on September 1, 2008.
Hurricane Ike dealt our community a devastating blow, and our House experienced damage caused by almost eight feet of storm surge. We are still repairing and mitigating the damage so that future storms will not have significant impact again. We are determined to rise above the disaster and face our new tomorrow with perseverance, hope and optimism.
The Ronald McDonald House of Galveston is very fortunate to have widespread community support. In 2009 we lodged a total of 304 families for 3,179 nights. Our House is filled with hope. Hope that each family will see a better tomorrow. Hope that today’s treatment will make a difference. Hope that we will see each child live and thrive and grow to be a happy and productive adult.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, volunteers, staff and all the families thank you for being a part of our House and for making a difference in a life of a child.