About Us

Meet our Staff

Pam Fenimore, Executive Director
Amy Laframboise, House Manager
Carol Winchester, Evening Manager
Deanna Cameron, Program Coordinator

Board of Directors (2011-2012)
Fred Peet, President
Monica Smith, Vice President
Mark DiGangi, Secretary/ Treasurer
Peter Napoli, McDonald’s Owner/ Operator
Charlie Coughlin, McDonald’s Owner/ Operator
Sally Wichert, First Congregational Church Liasion
Susan Victory, Fletcher Allen Health Care Liasion
Ann Wittpenn, M.D., Medical Representative
Pamela Baker
George Beato
Tom Chase
Robbi Handy Holmes
Anthony Neri
Elinor Ponsetto
Jackie Vezina
Joe Vezina
JoAnn Wallace

Ronald McDonald House Charities History
The very first Ronald McDonald House was opened in Philadelphia in 1974.  This was accomplished through the efforts of Fred Hill, a former Philadelphia Eagles football player, Jim Murray, the team’s general manager, and the many members of the team.

Fred Hill realized the tremedous need for families with ill children to gather together for support after his daughter, Kim, was treated for pediatric leukemia.  He understood the stress that is caused when a loved one seeks treatment at a hospital that could be many miles from home.

It was with this vision that he and Jim Murray proceeded and approached McDonald’s owner operators in the Philadelphia area to raise funds for their cause.  Dr. Audrey Evans, head of Pediatric Oncology at Philadelphia Children’s Hospital suggested a “home away from home”  to accomodate these families who travel long distances for medical care.

Together, this team began raising money to build the first Ronald McDonald House.  Today, Fred Hill, Jim Murray, and Dr. Evans are still involved with the Ronald McDonald House Charities.