The first Ronald McDonald House opened it's doors in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1974. It was a dream come true for a group of folks from the Philadelphia Eagles and the local McDonald’s owner and operators. Fred Hill, then a player for the Eagles, began work on the first Ronald McDonald House after his daughter, Kim, began treatment at the local children’s hospital. While in and out of the hospital, Hill saw many families in the same situation who were not from the greater Philadelphia area. Therefore, they were forced to sleep hospital in waiting rooms, halls, hotels, or their cars. Thus, the "home away from home" concept was born. Funds were raised through the sale of green milkshakes, "Shamrock Shakes" on St. Patrick’s Day with the help of Hill’s teammates and the local McDonald’s franchisees to purchase and renovate the first House.

The Nashville Ronald McDonald House is the 142nd home completed and operating. Our Ronald McDonald House is one of five in the state of Tennessee with others in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Johnson City, and Memphis. Equipped with 32 bedrooms all with private baths (three for the disabled), a laundry room, pantry, two kitchens, and dining rooms, the House offers families a place to come together at the end of a long day at the hospital to receive support and encouragement from other families in similar situations. Of those 32 bedrooms, three are extended stay suites with kitchenettes for children who require isolation (i.e. bone marrow or heart transplants). Also included is one short stay room for families who need a place to get away from the hospital during the day, but will return home at night. The Nashville House also has a large family room, teen/game room, children’s playroom, and a library.

A key role of the Ronald McDonald House is to keep the family together during an extremely stressful time. Having a child with a serious illness is not only disruptive to routine family life, but it creates financial, emotional, and physical strains for all family members. The Ronald House helps to relieve families of many of their burdens by offering them all the comforts of "home" at a minimal cost. In special cases, the nightly fee is waived if it presents a further hardship for the family.