Heart The Houses
Adopt a Room and help families stay close when it matters most.
A place to stay close
For Jace and Kate McIntyre of Macks Creek, MO, the first year of marriage was meant to be a season of firsts. Instead, it became a whirlwind no young couple could have imagined.
While traveling to Oklahoma for a family funeral, Kate went into premature labor—28 weeks pregnant and seven hours from home. In the early morning hours, their first baby, Cru Alan, arrived in Durant, Oklahoma, weighing just 3 pounds, 1 ounce. Within hours, he was flown to the NICU at a children’s hospital in Dallas.
What came next was chaos on top of chaos. An emergency room visit for Kate. A five-car pileup that totaled their only vehicle. And in the middle of it all, a positive pregnancy test—their second baby was already on the way. Newly married, far from home, and holding a son small enough to fit in the palm of a hand, they had every reason to come undone.
That’s when the Ronald McDonald House became their anchor. For 99 unforgettable days in Dallas, the House gave them a real bed, a hot meal, and—most precious of all—a way to stay by Cru’s side. They never spent a single night wondering where they would sleep.
“Newly married, son just born […] I just couldn’t imagine leaving them. I would’ve never left them. And the Ronald McDonald House just made that possible.” –Jace McIntyre
Months after bringing Cru home to Missouri, the McIntyres faced another premature birth when June Lee arrived at 28 weeks on March 16, 2025. The Ronald McDonald House across from the Springfield NICU kept the family close: Friends watched Cru while Jace and Kate sat with June, staff played with the children, and volunteers cooked warm meals. There were joyful milestones, too, including Cru’s first word—“Dada”—in his sister’s NICU room. Through a fragile time, the House gave them space to celebrate, laugh, and be a family.
Peace in the Storm
Everyone who visited asked the McIntyres the same question: how are you both so calm? They couldn’t fully explain it. They spoke of “a peace that surpasses all understanding,” of taking things “one day at a time,” of being carried by their church, their family, and the countless prayers, cards, and letters that arrived when they needed them most.
But they never hesitated to name a huge part of that peace. With the Ronald McDonald House covering the roof over their heads and the meals on their table, they were free to pour everything they had into their children.
When You “Heart the Houses”, You Help Families Stay Close.
When our generous supporters “Heart the Houses” and Adopt a Room, they make the Ronald McDonald Houses possible for the family and thousands of other area families.
During a typical year, nearly 800 families find a community of comfort and hope at our two Ronald McDonald Houses in Springfield. By Adopting a Room for 2027 in one or both of our Houses, you are keeping families of sick children close to each other and near the care and resources they need.
How to Heart the Houses
The “Adopt A Room” Program is a great way for you, your company or organization to “Heart the Houses”. With your gift, you will become a Ronald McDonald House Annual Room Sponsor and your name will be displayed on a special plaque near or within the room. Simply donate online to our Heart the Houses campaign. You can also call 417-427-8635 to make a donation over the phone.
Below, you can find out more information about adoptable rooms at both the Ronald McDonald House Near Cox South and the Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids.
Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids Room Layout
Ronald McDonald House Near Cox South Room Layout
Heart the Houses Donors
Ronald McDonald House near Cox South
Family Room:
Corwin Automotive Group – Two Quarters
Living Room:
Playroom:
Krista Pickle – One Month
Kitchen:
Dining Room #1:
A Special Guardian Angel – One Year
Dining Room #2:
A Special Guardian Angel – One Year
Family Living Center:
Office for Volunteers & Staff:
Gayden & Cathy Wilkins, in memory of John N. Fillyaw – One Year
Family Care Managers’ Quarters:
Main Entryway:
Laundry Room #1:
Larry & Eileen Meinsen – One Quarter; Krista Pickle – One Month
Laundry Room #2:
Dustin & Tera Dover – One Year
Bedroom 101:
Mattie Hummel – One Year
Bedroom 102:
Paula Adams – One Year
Bedroom 103:
Bedroom 104:
Bedroom 105:
A special Guardian Angel – One Year
Bedroom 201:
A special Guardian Angel – One Year
Bedroom 202:
A special Guardian Angel – One Year
Bedroom 203:
A special Guardian Angel – One Year
Bedroom 204:
A special Guardian Angel – One Year
Bedroom 205:
Ronnie & Donna Ward, in honor of Lilly & Lucy Newberry – One Year
Bedroom 206:
John Nipper – One Quarter; OMB Bank – One Quarter; Krista Pickle – One Month
Bedroom 207:
Gayden & Cathy Wilkins, in honor of their grandchildren – Nathan, Jacob, Samuel, Madeline & Madison – One Year
Bedroom 208:
Bob & Debbie Williams – Four Months; Amy Grubaugh – One Month; Tricia Murray, in honor of Jerrod & Maggie Transeau Family – One Quarter; Monte & Kara Maska – One Month
Bedroom 209:
A Special Guardian Angel – One Year
Ronald McDonald House at Mercy Kids
Living Room:
Corwin Automotive Group – Two Quarters
Kitchen:
Dining Room:
A Special Guardian Angel – One Year
Playroom:
Family Care Managers’ Quarters:
A Special Guardian Angel – One Year
Office for Volunteers & Staff:
David & Stacey O’Reilly – One Year
Main Entryway:
Stuart & Christy Scott – One Year
Gathering Room:
Laundry Center:
Computer Nook:
Family Locker Room:
Bedroom 101:
Juliana Zamora Cubillos – One Quarter; Frank & Karin Driscoll – One Month; Sandra (Cookie) Witt – One Month; Pete Sumners & Melissa Bilyeu – One Month
Bedroom 102:
Frank & Karin Driscoll – One Month
Bedroom 103:
Bedroom 104:
Gayden & Cathy Wilkins, in honor of their grandchildren – Nathan, Jacob, Samuel, Madeline & Madison – One Year
Bedroom 105:
Ronnie & Donna Ward, in honor of Lilly & Lucy Newberry – One Year
Bedroom 106:
Bedroom 107:
Bedroom 108:
Bedroom 109:
Bedroom 110:
Major Contributors
Anonymous
A Special Guardian Angel
Supporting Contributors
BluCurrent
Michael Cochran
Earp Distribution
Alyce Drewel
James & Betty Gordon
Frank & Patti Harris
Mike & Jill Headley
Kevin & Gina Little
Kelley & Nancy McKenzie
Colene Moore
Ron Purgason
Mark Ringenberg
Mary Rummel
Brandon & Hillary West
Anonymous
Contributors
Tricia Benoist
Les Bouzek
Dan & Kathi Brandell
Bob & Carolyn Burberry
Lynn Burk
Julie Clark, in memory of Jeanne M. Engle
Jennifer Colwell
Diana Cowan
Don & Mary Cupps, in memory of Steve J. & J. Beverley Barnes
Dr. Aaron & Laura Dannegger
James & Charlene Dawson
Lincoln & Amy Engram
Duane & Glenna Grisham
Mark Herkert, in memory of Joseph Zeno
William & Nancy Hirter
Bob Houston
Tom & Penny Hubbard
Dedra Jones
Joy Kelly
Gary & Dale Keltz
Barbara Kipfer
Beatrice Laudenbach
Sandy Lipe
Virginia Mais
Kurt & Jerry McDonald
Brad & Serena McGinley
Kenneth & Susanne Miller
Bruce & Patti Moore
Mt. Pisgah Ladies Aid
Rick & Sandy Mueller
Scott Petrich
Kevin & Tami Riley
Donna Roberts
Ted & Sheree Rogers
Tracy & Michelle Sloan
Alan & Deborah Smithey
Julie Squires
Verl & Nina Strong
Lamont & Darlene Swanson
Ann Swink
Dr. Mai Vo
Susie Wallace
Kory & Elizabeth Wilcox, in honor of Don Vance
David & Donna Williams
Richard & Celinda Wilt
Stephane Wolfgeher
Angie Wormington, in honor of Connor Smith
Cecil & Katherine Wormington, in honor of Connor Smith
Sandy Emberton
Mary Jane Grinstead
Swartzentruber Family