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Welcome

Welcome to Ronald McDonald House of Columbia, SC.  Each guest must understand and abide by these “Rules & Expectations” so that everyone staying in the House will be as comfortable as possible.  If you have any questions during your stay, please ask a staff member for assistance.


Check-In Procedures

  • Each family will be given ONE key card upon arrival, which will allow them access to their guest room 24 hours a day. This card ALSO provides you access to the MAIN ENTRANCE.  If another card is necessary, please speak with RMHC staff. The key card(s) must be turned in at the end of your stay.
  • Sign in/out Kiosk is located by the front door.  Please sign in and out every time you enter and exit the House.
  • No changing out of guests unless approved by the Operations/Executive Director. 
  • Enter (with a guest key card) and Exit through the Main Entrance.  If an Emergency should occur, find the nearest Emergency Exit.


Your Stay

  • Please be advised that cameras are located throughout the House and on the grounds.  There are no cameras located in guest bedrooms or restrooms, only communal areas.  This is for both your safety and the House’s safety.
  • The Executive Director, together with the Operations Director, may conduct periodic evaluations to determine a family’s eligibility to stay at the House.  We reserve the right to ask a family to leave should they violate the House Rules and Regulations.
  • We do have a house pet, a Labradoodle named Alphie. He is a permanent member of the staff. Please do not feed him, as he has digestive issues.  Also, please make sure your children do not jump on, squeeze, or get in Alphie’s face, as this may result in him snapping at your children.  
  • We have a limited supply of feminine products, toiletries, and baby products in the Free cabinets.  


Expectations and Responsibilities of Guest Families During Stay

    • Parents under the age of majority (18) must be accompanied by a related adult or guardian who is over the age of majority unless the individual is legally married or has court-issued emancipation orders.
    • Any child under the age of 15 must be supervised at all times in all areas of the House by a family member or responsible adult. Ronald McDonald House staff and volunteers do not provide childcare, and families staying at the House are not permitted to look after each other’s children.
    • Please keep us informed on your child’s condition.
  • Guests must spend most of their time at the hospital visiting their child.
  • Guests are responsible for the daily cleaning of their room and restroom. 
    • There are cleaning kits available to sign out at the front desk.
    • Guests are responsible for taking out their restroom trash DAILY to the outside dumpster located in the parking area.  Trash liners are in a drawer in the laundry room.
    • Staff will periodically check all guest rooms to ensure that each room has everything it needs.
    • Inform staff should you need something or if any repairs need to be done in your room.
    • We have a limited supply of toiletries (toothpaste and brushes, soap, shampoo, etc.) located in the FREE CABINET. Let the staff know if you need anything during your stay.  We will do our best to accommodate your needs.
  • Proper attire and shoes must be worn in communal areas of the House. Proper underclothing, pants worn at the waist, and shoes are required.
  • Quiet hours are to be observed between 9 PM and 7 AM. 
  • Smoking is NOT permitted anywhere on the property but at the gazebo. This is the only legal smoking area.  Smoking is not allowed in the House.
  • No weapons or firearms are allowed in the House. NO CORPORAL PUNISHMENT of any kind is permitted in the House

All weapons MUST be securely locked in the trunk of the vehicle.  Please notify RMHC staff.

  • Staff is prohibited from giving guests any medication, including over-the-counter medications (for instance, Tylenol).
  • Pets are NOT allowed to stay at the House.  However, certified service animals with certified paperwork are permitted.
  • House guests MUST NOT disclose confidential information or use the name, photos, or other identifying characteristics of other guest families without consent.
  • Ronald McDonald House Charities does not condone any form of conduct that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for guest families, staff, volunteers, or visitors or otherwise interferes with the Ronald McDonald House communal living environment.

Violence/Domestic Violence will NOT be tolerated in the House.  RMHC will abide by all state laws that apply.

  • No use or possession of any illegal substance, including but not limited to marijuana.
  • Possession and consumption of alcohol on the premises by guests are prohibited.  


Meals and the Kitchen

  • No food or drink is allowed past the main staircase, including guestrooms. It must stay downstairs. Only water, breastmilk, and formula will be allowed upstairs. 
  • Dinner is served nightly from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Breakfast and lunch are self-serve. 
  • Please clean up after yourself, dishes in the dishwasher, wipe tables, etc.
  • Label all foods that are individually purchased with last name, room number, and date the food was opened.Housekeeping
  • Housekeeping comes weekly and will enter each guest room (no exceptions).  Each Monday, you will receive a Newsletter that will include the day cleaning will be on site.
  • Moms that are pumping, please inform housekeeping as they will return to your room.
  • Between housekeeping, please ask RMHC staff for any items needed to clean your room.  A cleaning caddy, vacuum, and mop can be signed out at the front desk.

    Laundry

  • The laundry room is open 7 days a week, 7:00 am until 9:00 pm.
  • Wash your bed linens and reuse them during your stay.  

Please do not remove or wash any bed linens marked “DO NOT REMOVE.” If they are soiled, please let the staff know.  

  • Clean towels, washcloths, and bed pads are in the laundry room (bottom cabinets).  
  • Place soiled towels, washcloths, and bed pads (ONLY) in one of the hampers provided beside the dryer in the laundry room. 
  • NO LIQUID BLEACH IS ALLOWED in the House. Powdered bleach is available upon request.
  • The laundry room has washers, dryers, and detergents (if available). These are provided for your personal items and for preparing your room for check-out.
  • Laundry detergent can be found under the sink in the laundry room.
  • Notify staff if any washer or dryer needs to be fixed.
  • RMHC staff does not do any personal laundry for guests.
  • Do not leave your clothes in the washers or dryers; remove them as soon as they complete the cycle.


Telephones, Mail, and Internet

Our mailing address is: 

Ronald McDonald House

2901 Colonial Drive

Columbia, SC  29203

Office Phone Number: (803) 254-3181

To access the internet from your device, family is the password.


Transportation and Security

  • Prisma Health Security provides complimentary shuttle service to and from the hospital during the week.  Sign up for a slot at the front desk.  Times are 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm.  After hours, Prisma Health Hospital’s Security team provides complimentary transportation to and from the hospital.  The phone number is 803-434-8000, and you can request a pickup/drop off.   If Security is unable to give you a ride, it is just a short 10-minute walk.  Guest(s) should refrain from making rude comments to security regarding the amount of time it takes them to arrive. This is a free service, and guests who act inappropriately may be asked to vacate the House.

    Medical Procedures

  • Ronald McDonald House Columbia, SC, is not a medical facility.  If it is necessary to perform home health care or medical procedure/treatment in the House, Guests must notify and have the Operations Director’s approval.  All medical procedures are to be performed in the guest family’s room.
  • Needles and other used medical supplies are to be discarded immediately and placed in the “Hazardous Waste Container.”  Please ask RMHC staff for access.


Alarm Event/Emergency Evacuation

  • Do not use the elevators during an alarm event.  There are lighted exit signs throughout the House. If you are on the second floor, the signs lead you to the side stairwells and the main staircase in the center of the House.  If you are on the first floor, signs are leading you to all exit doors around the perimeter. Follow the stairs down and make your way outside. 
  • Staff and guests meet outside near the gazebo.   
  • It is mandatory to leave the house when an alarm sounds (day or night).
  • Failure to follow all House Rules and Guest Expectations may result in immediate eviction.


Check-Out Procedures

  • Check-out time is before 11:00 AM, if possible. This will give staff time to prepare the room for the next guest family.
  • If you need to return to the house, a NEW referral form must be completed.