Voices of Giving: Stona and Barbara Fitch

Nominated by: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati

Stona and Barbara Fitch’s relationship with Cincinnati’s Ronald McDonald House dates back more than 30 years.

The late Stona Fitch was both a founder and the first board chairman of RMH. Under his visionary leadership, the first capital campaign amply exceeded its goal, allowing Ronald McDonald House not only to build a “home away from home” for parents of critically ill children but also to start its endowment and prepare for the future.

Thirty years later, Cincinnati’s RMH has greatly expanded and become one of the largest in the world. It has been a “home away from home” for more than 22,000 families whose children have been treated at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.

Barbara’s own leadership roles at RMH are many. She helped found the House’s Planned Giving Council and made a leadership planned gift to the Silver Lining Endowment Initiative. She is also an annual room sponsor and has permanently named a guest suite in Stona’s memory.

Barbara’s generous IRA bequest to RMH is a telling example of “family legacy.” It honors the work Stona began three decades ago. It represents both Stona and Barbara’s deep commitment to caring for future generations of families seeking treatment for their critically-ill children. It embodies Stona and Barbara’s belief in “giving back” and passing that value on to future generations.

As Barbara would tell you, “I am particularly touched that our children and grandchildren find the House and all that it does so meaningful and inspiring.”

The Fitch family has been with Cincinnati’s Ronald McDonald House through decades of growth and service to families, in the face of an ever-growing need.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati is eternally indebted to Stona and Barbara Fitch and their family for the generations of families they have helped the House to serve and for the many future generations who will benefit from their care, generosity, and vision.