Ronald McDonald House Four States Introduces New Look in Global Brand Refresh

JOPLIN, Mo. — Ronald McDonald House Four States has unveiled a new brand identity, introducing an updated logo, refreshed colors and a new tagline as part of a global modernization effort to create a more unified and recognizable identity for the organization.

The local unveiling marks a new chapter for the organization, which has served families with children receiving medical care for more than 28 years. The rebrand is part of a worldwide initiative led by Ronald McDonald House's headquarters in Chicago, with local chapters rolling out the changes in phases.

Lori Jones, executive director of Ronald McDonald House Four States, announced the updated brand and tagline, "Family stays," during the local launch.

"So the house is already full and abuzz because we are celebrating a new chapter beginning as we go through a brand modernization process. So today we unveil our new brand, our new logo, the new voice, and our new tagline, which represents the charity very well, which is Family stays."

Ronald McDonald House locations around the globe are adopting the updated visual identity while retaining the organization's familiar ketchup red and yellow colors. Jones said the local chapter's changes are part of the larger global effort, which launched in October of last year.

"This is a part of a global organization, so our headquarters are in Chicago, and we're really excited. They actually launched it last year in October, and we've been rolling it out in phases, and so we're very happy to launch it here locally today."

Along with the new logo and visual identity, the local chapter is simplifying its name by dropping "Charities" from its former name, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States. Jones said the changes are intended to make the organization easier to recognize.

"We're going to continue doing what we've always done. We're going to show up big and take care of families and provide comfort, care and support. But now we're going to do it with bright new colors and a new logo. The heart of it is to bring clarity and unity. We want to make sure that we're really easy to recognize in a very busy space. We want people to know who we are."

Jones said simplifying the name is part of creating a clearer identity for the organization.

"And we're clarifying. We dropped the word charities. So we used to be Ronald McDonald House charities of the four states. And part of that clarity is if you're a strong charity, you don't have to have it in your name. So we are just who we are, standing strong."

While the organization's appearance and name are changing, Jones emphasized that its mission remains the same: supporting families whose children are receiving medical care.

The Four States chapter partners with Mercy Joplin and Freeman Health System, serving families with pediatric patients and babies in neonatal intensive care units. The organization can also serve families with children up to age 21 and accepts referrals for other medical needs, including specialized surgeries.

"So our mission actually is to provide support and strength for families who have a child. In healthcare, we're best known for partnering with our two hospital partners, which is Mercy Joplin and Freeman Health Systems, and they serve a lot of pediatric and NICU patients. So we are serving a lot of young families with babies in the NICU. But our chapter guidelines actually say that we can serve people with children up to 21. So we are taking also referrals from other things. We actually have two families staying this and next week that are having an ear, nose, and throat surgery from a local ENT here in town."

Jones also shared a story illustrating the personal connections that make the organization's work meaningful. She recalled meeting local business owner Josh Thompson at the organization's golf tournament before his family unexpectedly needed a place to stay following a medical emergency involving his infant son, Jagger.

"I met a new donor last year on the golf course. His name is Josh Thompson, and his team sponsored and played in our golf tournament for the first time. A few days later, his wife had an emergency, and their baby boy, Jagger, struggled to stay alive. They checked into the House on Sunday and stayed with us for nine days. Jagger is healthy, and we've continued our relationship with the family. They were our ambassador family this year at the golf tournament, and Josh owns JT Construction, the lead contractor helping us remodel the House."

The story also highlights the role of local supporters in helping the organization continue its work. Jones recognized the staff, volunteers, donors and local businesses that contributed to the rebranding effort, including All Seasons Sign Designs and Inky Guy.

"Of the people behind our mission, the volunteers, our staff, the incredible people that made this possible everyday helps us share our story throughout the community moving forward ", said Jones.

"Now, it certainly wasn't our plan to undergo a complete rebrand and remodel at the same time, but that's how we do things. So as we refresh how we're looking out in the community, we're also refreshing how we look here, right inside our home."

The brand unveiling comes as the House also works on renovations to its facility. Jerry Sargent, house program manager, outlined improvements underway to make guest rooms and bathrooms more comfortable and better suited to the needs of families, particularly mothers recovering from childbirth.

Jerry Sargent, house program manager, said the renovations are focused on making families more comfortable while their children receive medical care.

"We've been doing it for 28 plus years and our heart is always to make them feel empowered to be comfortable, relax, rejuvenate, spend time to take care of themselves so they can take care of those children that are receiving medical care."

The west wing's four bedrooms are being updated with new decorations, bedding, artwork, carpeting and renovated bathrooms. Sargent said the changes are also designed to better accommodate mothers recovering from childbirth.

"We serve so many moms that have just delivered a baby or they've had a C section and we want to serve those moms better."

Once the west wing is complete, renovations will move to five additional bedrooms in January, with completion expected by mid-February. Sargent said the organization plans to invite the community back for a reveal and encouraged residents to visit the new website to learn more about the donors and supporters helping make the improvements possible.

"Because again, our heart is to serve those families and give them everything they need to be stronger and comfortable to serve their babies."

As Ronald McDonald House Four States introduces its updated name and visual identity, the organization says its focus remains on providing families with comfort, care and support during challenging medical experiences. The new brand is intended to make that mission clearer and help the organization remain recognizable throughout the community.