Brown to Visit 26 Ronald McDonald Houses With an Eye on 2026 Olympic Bid

By Darci Miller
 
As Jason Brown's career was exploding in 2014, after he made his Olympic debut at the Olympic Winter Games Sochi 2014, he faced a problem.
 
He'd gone from receiving a quarter of a trash bag of stuffed animals thrown onto the ice following his programs to receiving five or six full bags each time he competed.
 
"I was so overwhelmed by the support and it was so sweet, but at the same time, I wanted to be able to do something to pay it forward because we can't travel home with bags and bags of stuffed animals," Brown said with a laugh.

 
So he began looking into charities that would take stuffed animals but also prioritized family and had locations across the globe. Before Skate America in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, that October, he reached out to the Ronald McDonald House in Chicago.
 
Ronald McDonald House provides essential services to families with children who need to travel for medical care, including overnight stays, nutritious meals, education programs, peer support, activities and clinical service providers. There are nearly 400 Ronald McDonald House programs and nearly 300 Ronald McDonald House Family Room programs around the world – and, perhaps most importantly, they were eager to receive Brown's stuffed animals.
 
That weekend in Hoffman Estates, a few of the families came to Skate America and were given VIP, behind-the-scenes treatment.
 
"It was really special getting to meet them and interact with the kids," Brown said. "Later on that week, after the event was over, I took the stuffed animals and I went and visited the chapter. And I don't know what I was expecting, but I was just blown away by what this organization does for families. They just gave the support that's needed in all these different aspects to these families and made sure they had everything they needed during the most difficult time. The more I learned about them, in that visit alone, I was just like, 'Oh my gosh.' I wanted to get more involved in any way I could."
 
In the 12 years since, Brown made another Olympic team, won the 2015 U.S. Championships, earned two Four Continents medals, built a reputation for stunning artistry and cemented his status as a fan-favorite around the world.
 
His relationship with Ronald McDonald House has remained a constant through it all. He's worked with the organization in an official capacity since 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic halted the tradition of stuffed animals being thrown on the ice. Brown now works with Ronald McDonald House's global team to provide more targeted assistance to chapters based on what they need.
 
As Brown began gearing up for a run at the Olympic Winter Games Milan 2026, he wanted to do more.
 
"With the Olympics, what we're so fortunate about in skating is that there tends to be a spotlight on our sport, and I want to be able to use my platform," he said. "I'm not saying this in a good or bad way, but I just don't know how much longer I'm going to be competing and getting to travel and be able to do that. I just wanted to do more, and I wanted to get out the word more, and I wanted to continue to showcase how many different ways that people can get involved."
 
And so, an idea was born.
 
"I wanted to show people that you can make a difference along the way in whatever you're trying to do," Brown said. "There are so many people who have impacted me and my journey as both an athlete and a person and have shaped me. So we put together a campaign that really showcased that, no matter what you're trying to achieve, you can make a difference along the way in so many different ways. So that's kind of how it began, and I was like, 'OK, maybe a goal could be to visit and to showcase 26 Ronald McDonald Houses around the world in honor of the 2026 Olympics.'"
 
The campaign began in October of 2024. On each House visit, Brown goes on a tour to see the variety of ways they're set up to help the families in their community. His itineraries are as different as the Houses are, but he's spent time cooking and preparing meals, playing bingo and taking kids on a field trip to an ice rink. He films each visit and posts each on social media to raise awareness.
 
Brown has made 23 visits so far and plans to round out his journey in New York City, Helsinki, and St. Louis in the coming months.
 
If all goes well, he'll make one bonus House visit.
 
"With all my fingers crossed, the 27th bonus will be the Family Room in Milan," Brown said.
 
But whether or not another Olympics is in his future, Brown considers the mission a success.
 
"It's about showing that you can still make that impact," Brown said. "You can still leave your mark. There are so many ways that you can impact those around you and make a difference. When those families walk in, they're dealing with something extremely difficult. And yes, many times, the child gets better, but a lot of times, they don't. And that doesn't lessen the impact that the house has on those families' lives in those moments. It's not an all-or-nothing mentality. It's the lasting impacts. I've heard so many incredible stories while walking around these various chapters about families that had stayed there and then ended up donating a room in honor of the kid that they lost. They leave that legacy because of how impactful the House was for the family at such a difficult time. There's so much heart and love in each of the chapters.
 
"You don't know what the future holds, but that doesn't mean you can't inspire the next person or help or be there or have an impact, regardless of making that end goal. You can still make a difference."
 
While his advocacy of Ronald McDonald House has grown and changed over the years, Brown still donates his stuffed animals after every competition.
 
And if he has his way, his work won't end with his competitive career.
 
"This is my campaign for this season, but the work that I want to do with them, I want it to grow so much and I want to expand on what I've been doing," Brown said. "So I don't want to say, 'Keep an eye out for more,' but know that this is definitely not the end. This organization has my heart, and I cannot wait to do more and more in the future."