Get Involved
Volunteers are the heartbeat of our house
Families come to Iowa City and Cedar Rapids for medical treatment because their child needs specialized care they can’t get at home. We are so grateful to all the volunteers who help make our house feel like a home for the families staying with us.
At Ronald McDonald House Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois, our 31-room House in Iowa City, two Family Rooms within local hospitals, and food pantry serving seven hospital floors provide comfort, care, and support to families during challenging times.
None of this would be possible without our incredible volunteers. From welcoming families and preparing meals to helping at special events and supporting daily operations, volunteers help make our House feel like home.
We offer a variety of volunteer opportunities and would love to help you find the role that best matches your interests, skills, and schedule. Every act of service makes a meaningful difference for the families we serve.
Six ways to get involved
Volunteer at the House
Prepare guest rooms, do laundry, sort donations, or drive to the hospital. Help once or regularly.
Bring your group
Businesses, churches, and scout troops all serve here. Cook a meal, run a donation drive, or make something for families.
Cook a meal
Prepare a menu, bring the groceries, and cook in our kitchen, or sponsor a catered meal for dinner.
Host a fundraiser
Run your own event to support our families, whether it’s a bake sale, a birthday campaign, or shaving beards (really).
Participate in an event
We host four signature events a year, from a 5K walk/run to a golf outing. Attend, volunteer, or sponsor.
Stock the pantry
We stock food pantries at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, so families have easy grab and go items to keep them fueled while at the hospital. You can help us keep the shelves stocked.
Your impact, by the numbers
1,200
volunteers
19,700
meals served to families
6,700
Volunteer hours donated last year
Where your time and money actually go
Ronald McDonald House® Eastern Iowa & Western Illinois is an independent 501(c)(3). We’re not a McDonald’s company and we’re not a branch office of a national charity — we’re one chapter, incorporated here, funded here. Money raised here stays with families receiving treatment here. Charity Navigator rates us four out of four stars for our outstanding impact and administration.
However you show up, it matters
A clean room. A hot dinner. A snack at two in the morning in the NICU. Every one of those things exists because of your generosity.