Ensuring a Peaceful Retreat

Jeanie Caldwell

Jeanie Caldwell

It was 1985. Jeanie Caldwell's 15-year-old son, David, had been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Shortly after, he suffered a major stroke.

Jeanie was scared but determined to save her son. She wanted to be at his side as much as possible, but it was a struggle. The drive from her Escondido home to Rady Children's Hospital was daunting for the single mother, who also held a full-time job.


Staying Close to David

Jeanie longed to stay close to David around the clock. But in 1985, San Diego's Ronald McDonald House had only eight overnight rooms for families. They were completely full.

So Jeanie endured the lengthy commutes, devoting her love and attention to David each day. After several long weeks, she rejoiced when he finally returned to their beloved home.

David touched many lives in the 24 years that he lived following his stroke, until he passed in 2009. For family and friends, he had been a blessing and a joy.

North Courtyard

Families tend garden in North Courtyard

Years later, Jeanie heard of new ways families are cared for at today's much larger Ronald McDonald House, even those families who aren't staying overnight. She decided to take a look for herself.

Parents need quiet time to deal with the trauma of their child's health crisis.

Discovering the Ronald McDonald House

On her visit, the North Courtyard captured Jeanie's attention. A large, tranquil area with lovingly tended trees, it stretched for nearly the length of a football field! Families relaxed on its comfy patio sofas to the sounds of a mirrored fountain's gentle waterfall.

The scene brought Jeanie back to David's hospitalization years earlier. "Parents need quiet time to deal with the trauma of their child's health crisis. When David was ill, it was hard to find that privacy in the hospital." Jeanie appreciated that parents at today's House have access to such peaceful and private spaces.

Following her tour and inspired by her friend Jim Kuden, a Many Hearts Legacy Society member, Jeanie announced she had named San Diego's Ronald McDonald House in her estate. "I want to help make sure that future families continue to find a place of calm during the upheaval of their child's medical crisis."

Jeanie has chosen to leave her beloved home to RMHC-San Diego. Through the gift of one house, Jeanie is contributing to create a "home-away-from-home" for so many others. We're grateful for Jeanie's thoughtful, generous bequest.

What You Can Do

Jeanie joined her friend, Jim, by becoming a charter member of the  Many Hearts Legacy Society. We're deeply grateful for their generous gifts to our families.

You can help ensure families like Jeanie's have private, quiet spaces for talking through concerns or bonding with loved ones. Naming the House in your will or trust makes that possible.

Arranging a planned gift takes just a few simple steps:

  1. Contact Charles Day at 858-598-2420 or cday@rmhcsd.org.
  2. Seek the advice of your financial or legal advisor.
  3. Learn more at rmhcsd.planmylegacy.org

If You Include the House in Your Plans

If you include the House in your plans, please use our legal name and federal tax ID:

Legal Name: Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego, Inc.
Address: 2929 Children's Way, San Diego, CA 92123
Federal Tax ID Number: 95-3251490

Grantor Charitable Lead Annuity Trust

Provides income payments to a qualified charitable organization for a period of years, the lives of one or more individuals or a combination of the two; after which, trust assets are paid to the donor of the trust.

A power of attorney form that transfers ownership of stock.

Securities such as stock that are in certificate (paper) form.

Investments that have increased in value since the time of their purchase.

Testamentary means bequeathed through one's will.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.


I give [insert amount, percentage of the estate, or 'the rest and remainder of my estate'] to Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego, Inc.

Federal Tax ID #95-3251490

able to be changed or cancelled


cannot be changed or cancelled




the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.


a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will


A donor-advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to the House or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.





A charitable remainder trust (CRT) provides income to you, as the donor of the CRT, or to other named individuals, and does so each year for life or for a period not exceeding 20 years. The remainder of the assets go to your chosen charity.





A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and the House where you agree to make a gift to the House and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.