More Than a Meal
April 29, 2025
Celebrating 35 years of comfort, care, and community at RMHC of Greater Chattanooga
There is something about food that can hold people together, especially when life feels like it is falling apart. At Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga, a warm meal is never just food. It is comfort, connection, and a reminder that families are not facing their hardest days alone.
For the last thirty-five years, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga has served as a “Home away from Home” for families with critically ill or injured children receiving treatment just steps away at nearby hospitals. When families are navigating hospital stays, treatment plans, and the weight of the unknown, RMHC strives to be their safety net. That is why we provide lodging, laundry, hygiene necessities, and meals at no cost to families.
Families come through our doors carrying unimaginable stress. They’re juggling hospital visits, medical decisions, and long stretches of uncertainty. In the middle of medical chaos, a warm plate of food has the power to do more than just provide sustenance, but comfort as well. That’s why every day, our team and community volunteers prepare and serve meals to the families staying under our roof.
The Brown family, one of the many supported over the past year, shared just how powerful that kind of care can be. On their first night at the House, Audrea Brown sat down to a familiar dish: chicken casserole. It happened to be her favorite meal growing up, one her mom often made at home. That small moment meant a lot more than familiarity. “It’s a House you never think you’ll have to use, but when you do, it’s a Home you never forget,”
said her husband, Ethan.
At RMHC, the dinner table becomes a place where strangers become support systems. In the Great Room kitchen, families who may have never met before find themselves sitting side by side, opening up about their children, their stories, and their hopes. In a season full of uncertainty, that kind of shared understanding can be just as healing as the meals themselves.
The Great Kitchen is open 24/7 and intentionally stocked with healthy snacks and grab-and-go meals, making sure families always have what they need day or night. Within the last year, RMHC of Greater Chattanooga has hired a Kitchen Manager/ Chef who provides more than just nourishment- through delicious, from-scratch meals, baked goods, and warm conversation, she creates a comforting space that feeds both body and spirit. Parents often stop in on their way to or from the hospital, grabbing something quick before heading back to their child’s bedside. It’s one less thing to worry about, and one more way we let them know we’ve got their back. In a world of medical charts, hospital corridors, and constant uncertainty, something as simple as a warm plate of food or a stocked fridge becomes a visible expression of care.
This June, RMHC of Greater Chattanooga is proud to launch our Restaurant Give Back Month, inviting the community to help us continue providing this support to our families simply by enjoying your favorite restaurants. Throughout the month, generous community partners will donate a portion of their proceeds to help us continue keeping families near one another and the care they need. Head to our website to find out where you’re going to enjoy your next meal that heals.
As we reflect on our 35 years, there is deep gratitude for the families who have trusted RMHC with their hardest days, and for the volunteers, donors, and partners who continue to show up with love and generosity, plate by plate, year after year. These acts of kindness make each meal more than just food, they become a reminder that healing doesn’t happen alone.
The House That Chattanooga Built: 35 Years of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga
For 35 years, the promise of rest, food, a hot shower, and a short walk to a child’s bedside has defined Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga. The mission is clear: to provide families with the care and resources they need when their child is sick and to support programs and services that directly improve the health and well-being of children. Since 1990, that mission has remained steadfast, sustained by a community that shows up. Since its inception, the House has served more than 20,000 families, offering a home away from home completely free of charge. While the average cost for one night’s stay is about $150, families never see a bill, thanks to the generosity of Chattanooga’s donors, volunteers, and business partners. Over the years, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga has expanded beyond its original 12-bedroom house into a 28-bedroom facility and two additional core programs designed to meet families where they are. The Ronald McDonald Family Room inside Children’s Hospital at Erlanger extends comfort into the hospital itself, offering rest and respite to anyone with a loved one in the hospital. House to Home, developed in partnership with the YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga and its Cleveland Family YMCA branch, serves families from Bradley County, the largest feeder county of guests to the Chattanooga House. The program helps families continue receiving support and resources after leaving the House, guiding them through recovery and transition back to daily life. Much of the House’s lasting impact can be traced back to the leadership and vision that guided it from the beginning. Jane Kaylor, who served as CEO for 32 years before retiring in 2022, led the effort to bring Chattanooga’s Ronald McDonald House from an idea to a reality. Kaylor’s dedication to helping families began with her own. In the early 1980s, her daughter Lori battled leukemia for six years before passing away at age nine. During that time, Kaylor often traveled to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis and longed for a place where families could stay near their child, rest, and find comfort in the company of others who understood. Years later, when Kaylor received a call asking if she would help determine whether Chattanooga needed a Ronald McDonald House, she didn’t hesitate. With the help of McDonald’s owner/operators, hospital leaders, and local businesses, she helped raise the funds to make the dream a reality. The House officially opened on Erlanger property under a unique agreement — a 40-year ground lease for $1 per year. Kaylor recalls one of the local McDonald’s owner/operators and former RMHC board member, Ted Lyons, pulling out two $20 bills on the spot, prepaying the lease and setting the tone for a city that shows up. On November 18, 1990, the Ronald McDonald House opened its doors to its first family. The same spirit of generosity that built the House soon led to a defining partnership that continues today. For more than two decades, iCON Air & Mechanical Services has been one of RMHC’s most dependable and generous partners—providing HVAC and plumbing support, financial donations, and even payroll deduction opportunities so employees can give back directly. For Glenn Conkle, President and COO of iCON Air & Mechanical Services, that commitment is deeply personal. “At iCON, we believe family is truly the backbone of our society,” Conkle shared. “When an unexpected illness or situation arises with one of our children, the last thing a family should have to worry about is where they will stay, where they will eat, or how long they will be gone from the hospital. When our youngest son was very ill and hospitalized many years ago, my wife and I personally experienced having to drive back and forth from home to the hospital, so we know the importance of being able to stay close by.” That connection deepened when one of iCON’s own employees, Danny Fay, and his wife, Shauna, stayed at the Ronald McDonald House after their son was born prematurely. “To us, the Ronald McDonald House means one word—love,” the Fay family shared. “They opened their doors so we could be there for our son and cared for us through some very difficult days. We are forever grateful for the love they gave us when we needed it most.” Conkle says it’s experiences like these that have shaped iCON’s long-standing partnership with RMHC and strengthened their belief in the mission. “Not only has the core group of iCON employees been a partner of Ronald McDonald House for the last 25 years, but we’ve experienced firsthand the important service they provide. We are proud to be partners and sponsors of the Ronald McDonald House.” Director of Facilities and Maintenance, Garland Sherman, has witnessed iCON’s impact on the House for decades. Before joining the staff, Sherman owned Garland Sherman Masonry, the company that bricked the original House during construction in the late 80’s. Captivated by the mission, he joined the Board of Directors in 2003, served for eight years, and often lent his expertise to House projects before officially taking on the role of overseeing its maintenance, a position he has held ever since. “iCON has great qualified employees who understand our mission and are always willing to help us,” Sherman said. “They are a great partner for RMHC and help us out in any way they can.” He takes pride in ensuring every family that walks through the doors finds comfort and security in a space that feels like home. Thanks to partners like iCON, the House remains a place where families can focus on what matters most: their child’s healing. Since stepping into his role in 2022, President and CEO Dr. Michael Brown has continued to lead the organization with the same compassion and purpose that defined its beginning. “When I accepted the RMHC Board’s offer to lead this incredible mission, it felt less like a choice and more like a calling,” Brown said. “From day one, I knew I was meant to be here. Meeting our passionate board members and volunteers, I was deeply moved by their love and commitment to our families. I’m proud to follow in the footsteps of those who built this strong, compassionate foundation. Their legacy inspires us every day, and I’m honored to carry it forward with purpose and gratitude.” It’s nearly impossible to capture what 35 years at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga truly mean: decades of trust, service, and compassion that have carried thousands of families through their hardest days, and the community that keeps showing up to make it possible.
This House is much more than a building, it is a place where parents can find peace over a cup of coffee, siblings can make fast friends in the playroom, and a long day in the hospital can end with a shared meal and the comfort of not being alone. Ronald McDonald House hallways have seen spirits break and heal- but one thing stays the same: the families are the heart of the Home. For three and a half decades, RMHC’s mission has remained unwavering: To provide families with the care and resources they need when their child is sick and to support programs and services that directly improve the health and well-being of children. More than just a place to sleep, RMHC Chattanooga offers home-cooked meals, a warm bed, and a supportive community that understands the emotional toll of medical trauma. No matter the length of time or service utilized, the goal is to lift the strain families are facing. Every room in the House holds a powerful story. Some begin with the fear of an early birth, others with a diagnosis no parent expects. In just the first few months of 2025, a mother found rest while her 9-year-old daughter received leukemia treatment next door at Erlanger. She was joined by her two younger daughters, and for 51 nights, this House became their safe place. In another room, a mother stayed close during her newborn’s 112-day fight in the NICU. Her baby boy was born at just 24 weeks. She remained strong, showing up each day alone while dad continued working back home. A few doors down, a family from Rhea County checked in after their newborn’s emergency transfer to the NICU. They stayed for 106 nights, finding strength in the rhythm of close hospital visits, prepared meals, and the community of other parents walking a similar road. These are not rare stories, but the reality inside the walls of RMHC for the past 35 years. From its beginnings as a 12-bedroom house, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga has grown into a multi-program organization focused on meeting families where they are. The Ronald McDonald Family Room at Erlanger extends comfort into the hospital itself, while House to Home provides support beyond a family’s stay. The addition of the Mindful Room offers a quiet, reflective space inside the House designed for emotional rest and healing. This incredible work would not be possible without the generous support of the local community. From corporate sponsors and longtime donors to volunteers and Adopt-A-Meal groups, countless people have played a role in sustaining the mission. McDonald’s owner/operators, in particular, have been an essential part of the organization’s foundation and future, contributing not only funds but also time, heart, and advocacy since the facility’s inception. Since 1990, RMHC of Greater Chattanooga has served thousands of families, each with a story that shaped the organization’s legacy. While the programs may grow and evolve, the aim will always be the same: to support families when they need it most, with compassion, understanding, and care. As RMHC of Greater Chattanooga celebrates this milestone anniversary, it also steps into a new season— one rooted in the same love that has carried the mission since day one. While much has changed, one thing never will: family will always be the heart of the Home.
