Home Away From Home
Meet the Benson Family
In January 2023, the Benson family left their home in Iowa for 14-year-old Karlee to receive treatment in St. Louis for anorexia. Having a child in the hospital is difficult, but having the best care for them over six hours from home adds more stress. Karlee entered McCallum Place, severely malnourished. On January 9, she was 5ft 7in and only weighed 107 pounds. Her lowest weight was 104 pounds over Christmas break. Their family needed somewhere to be close to focus on Karlee’s treatment and rehabilitation.
Ronald McDonald House was their refuge. “We’ve had major blessings and Ronald McDonald House is one of the major blessings,” says Mandi, Karlee’s mom. By taking away some of the hardships of balancing an illness, families can focus on what matters most - their child. “Ronald McDonald House is open for everyone,” says Mandi. “This is The House that Love Built.”
We need your help
Since 1981, Ronald McDonald House Charities of St. Louis has grown from an eight-bedroom facility to now include 3 Ronald McDonald Houses®, 8 extended-stay apartments, and 4 in-hospital Ronald McDonald Family Rooms®. Because of your support, we serve thousands of children and their families annually. As our organization grows, so does our need for your support.
The 2023 Home Away from Home Appeal is the annual giving program that provides the financial foundation for our yearly operation. It costs the charity $125 per night for each family’s stay. Your contribution to the 2023 Home Away from Home Appeal will sponsor a family and help offset this cost.