Holding Families Together When Their World Falls Apart

How One Woman’s Compassion Built a Legacy of Hope

By Hailey Evans

Marti Spencer didn’t set out to become a nonprofit leader. In fact, she didn’t even know what the Ronald McDonald House was when her sons first volunteered there. But one decision, to encourage them to serve others set off a ripple effect that would forever change her life.

It was her younger son’s best friend who helped Marti truly understand the impact of the Ronald McDonald House mission. His family faced a devastating medical crisis that required months of treatment in another city. While they didn’t stay at the Greenville house, they found refuge at a Ronald McDonald House near the hospital. Without it, they would have faced bankruptcy. But because of its open doors, they had a safe place to stay, meals to eat, and the dignity of being cared for like family.

“They were able to make it through because of this house,” Marti said. “That’s when I realized I had to be a part of this.”

The Story That Cemented Her Calling

At first, Marti helped however she could—volunteering, giving, pitching in during events. But one encounter sealed the deal.

It was around Christmastime. Marti was downstairs prepping for a gala when a man and his teenage son came into the kitchen. He greeted her kindly, smiled, poured himself a cup of coffee. His son, wearing a neck brace, said “Yes ma’am” and “Thank you” when offered juice. They were warm. Gracious. Kind.

Then, with eyes just beginning to water, the father said, “I need to go to North Carolina this afternoon for my daughter’s funeral.”

Marti was stunned.

The man explained: His family had been in a horrific car accident while traveling from Atlanta to Charlotte. Their SUV flipped. One of his daughters, just 10 years old, had unbuckled her seatbelt to lay in her mother’s lap. She was thrown from the car and killed. His wife was now in a coma. His other daughter, also critically injured, was in the ICU. Only he and his teenage son had walked away from the wreck.

“I don’t know how I’m going to face this,” he said. “But I just need to know, can we keep our room here while I’m gone?”

Marti was speechless. And in that moment, watching this father show grace amidst heartbreak, her purpose crystallized. “This is what the Ronald McDonald House does,” she said. “We hold people together when their world is falling apart.”

A Legacy of Leadership and Lifelines in Crisis

Marti Spencer officially joined the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas in 2004 part-time, while raising her boys. She didn’t arrive with a résumé full of nonprofit credentials. She came with something better: heart, humility, and an unshakable resolve to grow something meaningful.

By 2006, she stepped into a Program Manager role, and over the next two decades, steadily rose through the ranks—development manager, chief development officer, executive director, and eventually CEO. But she never lost sight of what truly matters. “I wasn’t working for them,” she said, referencing previous leadership. “I was working for the mission.” That quiet conviction to prioritize families over egos has shaped every step of her leadership journey.

That impact hasn’t gone unnoticed by those who serve alongside her.

“For over 22 years, Marti Spencer has been the heart and driving force behind Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas,” said Drew Aughtry, Board Co-Chair. “With tireless passion, visionary leadership, and genuine compassion, she has transformed the organization into a haven of hope—uplifting families in crisis and turning community support into lasting impact. Marti doesn’t just lead an organization she builds hope, one family at a time.”

Marti doesn’t just lead with heart. She leads with innovation. In recent years, she’s become an early adopter of AI tools like ChatGPT, using them to lighten the administrative load that comes with running a mission-driven organization. “I have 20 balls in the air,” she explained. “Someone walks in with an urgent need, and my thoughtful email draft gets left behind. Now I can just say, ‘Here’s what I’m thinking—help me refine it.’”

And with a smile, she added:
“With AI, I’ve been able to claim some of my time back and use it where it matters most.”

She’s also empowered her young team to embrace the technology. “They didn’t realize how much it could do for them,” she said. “Now they’re brainstorming creative ideas, polishing documents, and spending more time connecting with families instead of being buried in admin work.”

"As a nonprofit leader, I juggle countless responsibilities every day. Combining the EPIC Framework™ with AI has been a godsend. Not only is our organization's communication clearer and higher quality, but it has also given me time back to focus on what matters most: our mission. By leveraging the power of AI with Hailey's EPIC Framework™, we've completely revolutionized our messaging approach, becoming more agile, efficient, and effective in everything we communicate."
—Marti Spencer, CEO/Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas

Under her leadership, the House expanded from 12 to 26 thoughtfully appointed rooms—each with a private bath and warm, hotel-like touches. She championed hot nightly meals, bilingual hospitality, family-focused activity nights, and a culture rooted in dignity. Her goal has always been simple, yet profound: “I don’t want families to worry about anything beyond their child.”

And that commitment is never more evident than in moments of crisis.

When Hurricane Helene swept through and knocked out power for nearly two weeks, the mission didn’t pause, it pressed in. The Rotary Club of Greenville showed up unannounced, firing up grills on the back patio, delivering meals, and checking in on families. “They just started cooking,” Marti recalled. “They didn’t ask for anything. They just showed up.”

When laundry facilities went offline, Shriners Hospital opened its doors and offered the use of their washers and dryers to the families staying at the House. “It was a true picture of community coming together,” Marti said, that still moves her to this day.

Marti’s leadership legacy is built on grace under pressure, a fierce commitment to the families she serves, and a quiet willingness to evolve. From hand-written thank-you notes to AI-powered productivity and from volunteer to CEO, her story is proof that when you lead with empathy, everything else follows.

How You Can Help This Mission Stay Strong

Marti’s leadership has always been rooted in one simple truth: Every family deserves compassion and care—no matter what brings them through the door.

She invites you to join the mission:

🧃 Send snacks and supplies via the Wish List—from juice boxes to mac and cheese, small comforts make a big impact.

👨‍🍳 Volunteer as a guest chef to serve a hot meal to tired parents who’ve spent all day at their child’s bedside.

💛 Donate today and know you’re helping a family breathe easier in their hardest moment.

Because, as Marti says, “This mission—it never leaves your heart.”

About the Author:

Hailey Evans is a marketing strategist, award-winning storyteller, and passionate nonprofit advocate. With a gift for turning complex missions into compelling narratives, she helps leaders cut through the noise, connect with hearts, and drive meaningful growth. Learn more or connect with Hailey at https://haileyevans.com/