Heart of the House March 2025

A Note from the CEO

Dear Friends, 

Spring has sprung and things are buzzing here at RMHC Greater Houston! We are working on so many exciting initiatives to offer even more support and service to the families in our care. You can read about our expanded services at Texas Children's Hospital in this newsletter. I can't wait to share more of our developments with you as this year unfolds!

March is also National Social Work Month, and we wouldn't be a true home away from home without the tireless dedication of our social workers who meet families where they are, offer a shoulder to lean on, and connect them with supportive services. I hope you will join me in extending a heartfelt "Thank You" to all social workers in our community.

Finally, I want to extend my gratitude to the schools, corporations and organizations who have conducted incredible food & snack drives for RMHC Greater Houston recently. We are honored to be the recipient of your generosity and have put together a timeline that shows exactly what happens after your donation arrives at Holcombe House.

With thanks and gratitude,

Cristina Vetrano

Chief Executive Officer

House Happenings

What Happens to Your Food Donation?

Last year, our JoyFULL Eats food program provided more than 273,300 single-serve nourishment, grab & go meals and individually packaged snacks - more than ever before. In addition to the catered and cooked hot meals we provide each day, these shelf-stable servings provide a late-night snack, quick sustenance, and comfort for families who are far from home with a hospitalized child.

Our food delivery process has developed into a full-scale distribution system that operates with precision to consistently and reliably serve families at all our locations. Here's a quick look at what happens to your donation after it arrives at Holcombe House:

RMHC Greater Houston is proud to operate a House within Texas Children's Hospital, providing 19 rooms for families of neonatal and pediatric cardiovascular ICU patients.

Until recently, caregivers had to check in and out of these rooms daily. However, starting in February, ten of the rooms are now designated as long-stay rooms, allowing caregivers to remain in the same room without needing to check out each day. The remaining 9 rooms will continue to serve as daily accommodations, giving caregivers a place to rest or take a break during the day.

This expansion of our services allows us to better support families during what is often an incredibly challenging time, offering more stability and comfort to those caring for a hospitalized child.

Family Stories

When Pouline and David took their baby in for a well-child visit, they never expected that their world would be turned upside down when they learned that their beautiful baby girl needed a liver transplant.



Find out how RMHC Greater Houston brought joy to this family's first Christmas, creating unforgettable memories and moments of light in an otherwise difficult chapter of their lives.

Kids and Clays

Get ready for a day of competition and skill at the 3rd Annual Kids & Clays event, presented by the Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, on Thursday, April 3 at the Greater Houston Sports Club.

Sponsorships and team registrations are still available. Registration includes 75 sporting clay targets, ear/eye protection, and open bar receptions and ribeye steak dinner!

Audrey's Children World Premiere

The true story behind the remarkable woman and the events that led to the very first Ronald McDonald House is hitting the big screen later this month!

Watch Dr. Audrey Evans in her mission to battle sexism, medical conventions, and the subterfuge of her peers to develop revolutionary treatments, purchase the first Ronald McDonald House for families of patients and, ultimately, impact the lives of millions of children around the world.

Our McDonald's Partnership

Did you know that the first Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia was built thanks to the Shamrock Shake?

Fred Hill was a Philadelphia Eagles player whose young daughter was being treated for leukemia. At the urging of his daughter's oncologist, Dr. Audrey Evans, he rallied the community to raise money for a house where families could stay during their child’s treatment.

The local McDonald’s GM asked Philadelphia store owners to donate proceeds from sales of the Shamrock Shake to the effort. Enough money was raised to purchase the very first house, which was named in honor of this groundbreaking partnership.



To honor this legacy, our Greater Houston McDonald's Owner Operators will donate $.25 for each Shamrock Shake to RMHC Greater Houston until March 23!