Ronald McDonald House Mobile Unveils New Name, Logo and ‘Family Stays’ Tagline

MOBILE, Ala. — The charity that has given thousands of families a place to sleep near their hospitalized children has a new name. Ronald McDonald House Mobile unveiled its new name, logo and brand during an event honoring donors at Magnolia Manor.

The organization, long known as Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mobile, is the latest local chapter to adopt a refreshed identity as Ronald McDonald Houses around the world have rebranded over the past year. Along with the new name and logo, the House introduced an updated tagline: “Family stays.”

A thank-you to the community

The reveal came during an evening set aside to recognize the donors, volunteers and businesses that keep the House running. Executive Director Paul Giardina said the organization could not do its work without that support.

“This community supports us in so many ways. Whether it’s the McDonald’s in our area or just individual people who bring us, you know, tab tops, or they bring us a gallon of bleach to use in our laundry rooms,” Giardina said. “We could not support all these families that come here without the community. So that’s what tonight’s about.”

A home away from home

The 38-guest-room House provides a home away from home for families whose children are being treated at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital. It costs about $55 a night to operate a room, but families are not charged for their stay.

That free lodging can make a major difference for parents who are already juggling medical bills, time away from work and the stress of a sick child. Many families who rely on the Mobile House come from rural communities across south Alabama, northwest Florida and south Mississippi, hours from the specialized pediatric care their children need.

Besides a guest room, families staying at the House have access to a hot meal each day, a stocked kitchen and pantry, laundry facilities and a playroom and playground for siblings. About 700 families stay at the Mobile House each year, and thousands more use Ronald McDonald Family Rooms inside USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital, where parents can rest, eat or shower without leaving their child’s floor.

USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital, part of the University of South Alabama health system, is the region’s dedicated hospital for women, infants and children, including families with babies in neonatal intensive care, who may need to stay close by for weeks or months.

What “Family stays” means

The new tagline speaks to the core idea behind every Ronald McDonald House: keeping families together and close to a child receiving medical care. The phrase works both ways, describing the stays families make at the House and the promise that a family can stay together during a hospitalization.

The Mobile rollout follows similar announcements by other chapters across the country, including houses in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia, as Ronald McDonald House Charities refreshes its look worldwide. The changes are focused on name, logo and messaging; the mission of providing housing and support for families of sick children remains the same.

A global network with local roots

The first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia in 1974, and the program has since grown into a global network. Ronald McDonald House Charities marked its 50th anniversary in 2024 and now operates in about 60 countries.

Each local chapter is a separate nonprofit with its own board of directors, and each raises much of its own operating budget. In Mobile, that money comes from special events, grants, and corporate and individual donations, including the House’s signature fundraiser, the Little Black Dress Runway Show Gala.

Grassroots support adds up too. A Clarke Prep sophomore whose family stayed at a Ronald McDonald House during her heart surgery recovery is hosting the inaugural Hope In Healing 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run on Saturday, Oct. 17, in Grove Hill, with proceeds going to the Mobile House.

Small gifts, big impact

Giardina’s mention of tab tops and bleach points to how everyday donations help. Ronald McDonald Houses have long collected aluminum pop tabs, which are recycled to raise money, and the Mobile House relies on donations of household supplies to keep laundry rooms, kitchens and guest rooms stocked for families.

How to help

• Round up at McDonald’s. Customers can donate to Ronald McDonald House Mobile by rounding up their total after buying a meal at McDonald’s.
• Donate supplies. Items like cleaning and laundry supplies help the House care for families every day.
• Collect pop tabs. Tab-top collections are a simple way for schools, offices and families to contribute.
• Give directly or volunteer. Contact Ronald McDonald House Mobile for information on donations, volunteer opportunities and upcoming events.

With about $55 needed to keep a single room open for one night, even small, regular gifts help the House continue offering free lodging to families when they need it most.