After a $2.7 million total renovation, Ronald McDonald House Central and Northern Arizona will welcome families back to its Dobson House in Mesa Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Located on the campus of Banner Children’s at Desert, the Dobson House has 16 spacious guest rooms and provides lodging and meals at no cost to families whose children are hospitalized or receiving medical care nearby, it states in a release.

It was closed for more than six months while undergoing a complete transformation to modernize the facility and improve the family experience.

The refurbished space has upgraded guest rooms with custom-made bedding and a redesigned family lounge, community kitchen, dining area and shaded playground. Together these updates create a comfortable homelike atmosphere for families who live more than 30 miles away from the hospital or medical facility where their child is receiving treatment.

Construction for the renovation project was completed by Concord General Contracting, with design support from Interiors in Design.

A $250,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities helped close the final funding gap and bring the project to completion.

“Every detail of this renovation was designed with families in mind,” Kerry Schulman, president and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Central and Northern Arizona, said in the release. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors and partners, the rejuvenated Dobson House is ready to welcome parents who can rest, recharge and find strength while staying close to their child’s medical care.”

Upon reopening, the Dobson House will also launch a new Day Use Program, providing families who live within 30 miles of the hospital and who are not eligible for overnight stays a nurturing place to rest, cook meals, shower, do laundry and remain close to their child’s care team during daytime hours.

Originally opened in 2014, Dobson House is one of three Valley locations operated by Ronald McDonald House Central and Northern Arizona, which together can accommodate up to 72 families every night. The other locations are Roanoke House and Cambridge House in central Phoenix.

In 2024, more than 438 families stayed at Dobson House, accounting for more than 4,000 nights of rest and connection during their child’s treatment.

Volunteers are needed to provide, prepare and serve dinner for guest families at all three locations Sunday through Friday evenings and brunch on Saturday mornings. To learn more about becoming a Dinnertime Hero or a Brunch Buddy or to sign up visit rmhccnaz.org/meals.

For information about Ronald McDonald House Central and Northern Arizona or how to get involved, visit ronaldmcdonaldhousecnaz.org.

About Ronald McDonald House Central and Northern Arizona

Ronald McDonald House Central and Northern Arizona provides essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families and promote healing when children need health care.

The nonprofit organization operates three houses in the greater Phoenix area that can accommodate a combined 72 families every night of the year: Roanoke House, Cambridge House and Dobson House. Families stay for days, weeks and sometimes months at a time, at no charge, while their children receive lifesaving care at local hospitals and medical facilities. Since opening its doors in 1985, families from across the state, throughout the U.S. and around the world have checked in more than 62,000 times.