Ronald McDonald House®: Shreveport-Bossier Officially Opens
Shreveport, La. – The ribbon was cut today, opening the first Ronald McDonald House in Northwest Louisiana. The new three-story house is located on the campus of Willis Knighton South at 9100 Susan Drive in Shreveport. It will serve as a respite for families with a seriously ill or injured child in any of the local hospitals. The first family is expected to move in next Monday.
“We have been looking forward to this day for a long time now,” said Eric Mangham, Board Chair of Ronald McDonald House Arkansas & North Louisiana. “The community helped build this House, and we couldn’t be happier to open the doors today.”
“Since our first visit to Shreveport four years ago, the vision of building a Ronald McDonald House here has inspired an incredible wave of support and enthusiasm. Together, we are creating a future where every family has what they need to ensure the best possible health outcomes for their children and feel the strength of a compassionate community beside them through life’s most challenging moments. To the donors whose generosity has made this dream a reality, and to the volunteers who will give their time and hearts to sustain it, we are profoundly grateful. You are the heart of this mission,” said Janell Mason, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Arkansas & North Louisiana.”
The facility and its amenities are free to families who have an ill or injured child in a local hospital. There are 20 family suites, daily meals and snacks, laundry facilities, indoor and outdoor activity spaces, activities, and a community of support for families. Families are referred to the Ronald McDonald House by their hospital’s social work team.
The crowd at today’s grand opening was left in shock when Tony Gilley proudly presented a one-million-dollar donation on behalf of his family and employees.
“I started my career with McDonald’s in Shreveport in 1980 while in high school,” said Tony Gilley, local McDonald’s Owner Operator and President of Gilley Enterprises. “I left in 1997 to purchase McDonald’s restaurants in Alabama, and after many years, we have worked our way back home to operate restaurants in Shreveport-Bossier. My family has been involved with the Ronald McDonald House for the past 25 years, and it’s an honor to continue supporting a cause so close to our hearts. On behalf of my family and our 2,500 McDonald’s / Gilley Enterprises employees, we are proud to make this donation to help further the incredible mission of the Ronald McDonald House.”
This donation will provide much needed general operating support for the House as they begin ensuring that families with children receiving medical care have a welcoming and
supportive place to stay.
Other ways to support Ronald McDonald House Shreveport-Bossier are the many volunteer and donor opportunities, including the Meals from the Heart program, which invites local
groups and friends to cook dinner for families each night. There is also a wish list that includes everything from daily essentials for families, individually packaged snacks, household products, and new toys for children staying at the Ronald McDonald House with their family.
“We have already met our first family. They live an hour away and their newborn is currently in the neonatal intensive care unit,” said Ronald McDonald House Mission Director Lori Moore. “We hope this provides relief as they focus their attention on their new baby. We are excited to serve families with a child in any Shreveport hospital, and thankful for our community of donors and volunteers.”
The Ronald McDonald House is expected to serve over 21,000 people in its first year. That also includes local families with a child in the hospital who are not spending the night. This Ronald McDonald House offers shower and laundry facilities, snacks, and a quiet space for families so they can reset before returning to their child’s hospital bedside.
About Ronald McDonald House® Arkansas & North Louisiana
Ronald McDonald House® Arkansas & North Louisiana is a locally funded and operated nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare. Since 1981, more than 67,000 families have been served at Ronald McDonald House programs across Arkansas. In North Louisiana, Ronald McDonald House: Shreveport-Bossier is the first to open, and the Ronald McDonald House Family Room: St. Francis Medical Center will open in Spring 2026 in Monroe, Louisiana. Find out more at ronaldmcdonaldhousearnla.org and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.