Ronald McDonald House Tulsa keeps families together during times of medical crisis, providing comfort and care when it’s needed most.
Each year, hundreds of children travel to Tulsa for treatment of serious illnesses or injuries. Their families often face the added challenges of long hospital stays, extended outpatient treatments, and the financial strain of being away from work and home. Without Ronald McDonald House Tulsa, families – brothers, sisters, and even grandparents – might spend their days in cars, hotels, or hospital waiting rooms just to stay close to their child.
As a standalone 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Ronald McDonald House Tulsa is proud to be part of the Ronald McDonald House network, which serves 5.5 million children and families across 64 countries every year.
Our House operates under the guidance of a dedicated Board of Directors and Advisory Board. This diverse group includes parents, healthcare professionals, McDonald’s representatives, volunteers, and community leaders, all united to deliver critical support to families in need.
Ronald McDonald House Tulsa relies on the generosity of the community. Income is generated through donations, fundraisers, planned giving, and endowment earnings. In-kind donations – ranging from food and toiletries to furniture and even a van for transportation – help keep the House running smoothly.
The Tulsa community is our strongest partner in bringing hope and comfort to hospitalized children and their families. Together, we provide a light in the darkness during life’s most challenging moments.
Behind every number is a family who found comfort, stability and support while their child received medical care. These 2025 results show how the generosity of our community helped Ronald McDonald House Tulsa keep families close when it mattered most.
Behind every number is a family who found comfort, stability and support while their child received medical care. These 2025 results show how the generosity of our community helped Ronald McDonald House Tulsa keep families close when it mattered most.
In August 2022, Ranulfo was diagnosed with Pre B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a moment his mother describes as heartbreaking and life-changing. When she heard the news, she felt like everything stopped. She held her son tightly, trying to process the shock and disbelief of what they were facing. Their lives quickly shifted into a journey of treatment, hospital visits, and time away from home and familiar routines.
In January 2023, Ranulfo arrived in Tulsa in a wheelchair as his family prepared for an extended stay during his care. Far from home and overwhelmed by what lay ahead, they were quickly connected with Ronald McDonald House Tulsa and welcomed into a place of support just steps from the hospital. From the very beginning, Ranulfo’s spirit stood out. He clapped and waved with excitement to be there, and his enthusiasm was contagious.
…he played on the playground, explored the toy closet, and enjoyed his favorite pizza, finding moments of joy even in the midst of a difficult journey.
During his stays, he played on the playground, explored the toy closet, and enjoyed his favorite pizza, finding moments of joy even in the midst of a difficult journey. Because of your support, his family had a safe and caring place to stay throughout treatment, allowing them to focus on his healing instead of daily worries. In 2025, Ranulfo reached a major milestone when he rang the bell, declaring he was cancer free after two years of treatment.
Since completing treatment, Ranulfo has continued returning to Tulsa for regular checkups, each visit a reminder of how far he has come. During one of his early visits, when told he looked taller, he quickly and joyfully replied, "Of course, I’m almost seven." Today, Ranulfo is 9 years old and in remission, continuing to grow and thrive. Because of your generosity, his family, and families like his, are able to stay close during treatment and find comfort and hope when they need it most.
In 2025, Ronald McDonald House Tulsa provided 323 family stays for families who live across Oklahoma, and 218 family stays for families from 23 other U.S. states. A total of 7,236 nights of stay for families in medical crisis.
Ronald McDonald House Tulsa offered up to 24 families at a time essential services that reduced stress, removed barriers to care, and helped families focus on their child’s healing while their child received medical care at local hospitals.
Staying nearby allows parents to maintain close communication with their child’s medical team and stay engaged with treatment plans, leading to better health outcomes. Since opening in 1991, Ronald McDonald House Tulsa has welcomed thousands of families helping them navigate challenging times together.
The Hospitality Cart brought cheer and essential items directly to families with a child in the hospital. Filled with snacks, toiletries, books, games, toys, and crafts, the cart helped parents who were hesitant to step away from their child and removed small obstacles so families could remain close during treatment. Five days a week, volunteers made two-hour visits as the cart rolled through three floors at St. Francis Children’s Hospital, serving both patients and their families. Along the way, volunteers delivered these items while providing reassurance, easing stress, and showing families that Ronald McDonald House Tulsa was a steady source of support during challenging times.
The Guest Chef program offered families at Ronald McDonald House Tulsa dinner every night of the year. After long days at the hospital, families could return to the House and share a warm meal together without the added stress of planning or cooking. By providing nourishment and a sense of normalcy, the program helped ease daily burdens, supported family connections, and created a caring environment where families could focus on their child’s healing.
Lunches with Love provided a simple yet meaningful way to support families staying close to their children at Saint Francis Children’s Hospital. Three days a week, our volunteers prepared and delivered 75 sack lunches to help ease the daily strain families faced, allowing them to stay by their child’s side without worrying about their next meal. This steady support offered both food and comfort during an incredibly difficult time, helping families remain together and focused on what mattered most, being there for their child.
Scarlett Henley
President & Chief Executive Officer
In 2025, Ronald McDonald House Tulsa continued to stand beside families facing one of the hardest moments of their lives: caring for an ill or injured child. Every day, we opened our doors with a simple promise – you are not alone here. Thanks to the unwavering generosity of our community, partners, and volunteers, we fulfilled that promise!
This year, we provided thousands of nights of rest and stability to families who needed to stay close to their child’s medical care. We removed barriers by offering more meals, quiet spaces to breathe, and a community of support that wrapped around families when they needed it most. Behind every number in this report is a family whose burden was eased, a child who felt their parents’ presence, and a moment of hope made possible by you.
We strengthened our partnerships with local hospitals, expanded our volunteer engagement, and continued to invest in the safety, quality, and service of our House. These accomplishments reflect not only the dedication of our team, but the deep compassion of the Tulsa community. Your belief in our mission fuels everything we do.
As we look ahead, our vision remains clear: to ensure that every family who needs us has access to the care and connection they deserve. With your continued support, we will meet that vision one family, one meal, one night of rest at a time.
Thank you for standing with us, for believing in the power of togetherness, and for helping us keep families close when it matters most.
Gratefully,
Scarlett Henley
Kim Owens
Board of Directors Chair 2024, 2025
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am honored to extend my deepest gratitude to Ronald McDonald House Tulsa’s team, dedicated volunteers, supporters and my fellow Board Members.
Because of each of you, families facing some of life’s most difficult moments find support, love, stability and reassurance that they are not alone.
As you read this report, I hope you feel a sense of joy for all of the good you have done. You truly helped us live out our mission to remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare.
Together we are making a lasting impact.
With gratitude,
Kim Owens
Individual customers who Round-Up for Ronald McDonald House Tulsa, drop change in the Ronald McDonald House Tulsa donation boxes or donate in the McDonald’s app to Ronald McDonald House Tulsa.
Thank you for playing an important role in 34 years of keeping families together when it matters most. Explore how Ronald McDonald House Tulsa has grown and changed over the years.
McDonald's, the Junior League of Tulsa, and a local pediatric oncologist recognize the need for a House in Tulsa to support families with hospitalized children.
TLC, Inc., a volunteer-led organization, is established with the support of every local hospital to own and operate the future House.
Saint Francis Hospital donates land at 61st & Hudson. Architectural and building plans are drawn, and the first annual gala fundraiser, McDazzle, is held.
A $2 million campaign is started to build the House and ensure its long-term operation.
Ronald McDonald House Tulsa opens, providing a supportive place for families with hospitalized children and becoming the 152nd Ronald McDonald House worldwide.
Ten additional rooms are added, expanding from 14 to 24 rooms so more families can stay close to their children during treatment.
The House is expanded to include more areas to better support families and meal programs.
The program delivers sack lunches several days a week to families at Saint Francis Children's Hospital, helping ease daily burdens.
Volunteers bring snacks, toiletries, and comfort items directly to families at St. Francis Children's Hospital to make hospital stays a little easier.
Follow Ronald McDonald House Tulsa for family stories, volunteer opportunities, events and other ways to support our mission.
Your gift helps Ronald McDonald House Tulsa provide lodging, meals, and compassionate support for families receiving pediatric medical care. Donation information is processed securely by Arreva.
Every donation helps families stay close to their children without worrying about where they will sleep or how they will find their next meal.
