The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Charleston provides a "home away from home" for families of critically ill children being treated at MUSC's Shawn Jenkins Children's Hospital. We provide warm beds, three meals a day, and the love and care they need while they helping their children heal. Without this service, families would have to resort to sleeping in their cars, on hospital chairs or spend hundreds of dollars staying in local hotels. Last year, we served 928 families, translating to over 4,500 people. Our house counts on the donations of individuals, corporations and grants to run the house, and we are always looking for new donors and volunteers. The cost of running the house for one night is $4,000 and this includes food, supplies, maintenance on the house, linens and salaries of guest services members who care for the families. With a yearly budget of $1,460,000 we raise funds through fundraisers, grants and third party events and donations.