Ronald McDonald House Charities

RMHC Day of Change Inspires Small Giving to Help Children and Families in Need

On September 9, 2010, RMHC is encouraging its supporters to drop spare change in RMHC Donation Boxes located on counters and in the drive-thrus of participating McDonald’s restaurants. Over the years small change has allowed RMHC to grow to serve more children and families in need. In 2009 alone, thanks to McDonald’s customers, RMHC raised more than $19 million through the U.S. Donation Box program. It’s an easy and secure way to donate, and the money raised helps children in your community. The RMHC Day of Change is a great opportunity to show kids the importance of giving back and how even the smallest gesture goes a long way to helping those in need. So get your family and friends involved, because when everyone helps, we can make a big difference. RSVP on Facebook and tell your friends on Twitter. Read full story here.

McDonald's New National Fundraiser Efforts Bring Families Together to Benefit Children in Need

Beginning this summer, participating McDonald's restaurants in the U.S. will donate proceeds from all daily Happy Meal and Mighty Kids Meal sales to RMHC, McDonald's "Charity of Choice," benefitting thousands of children and their families every day. This initiative will continue through 2011. 

McDonald's is also helping RMHC promote the message of giving time to support others. With the launch of their new national fundraiser benefitting RMHC, McDonald's created a "Family Time. Happy Time" campaign encouraging families to pledge time spent together. Through this sharable online campaign families are encouraged to pledge minutes of "happy time" together and share their own creative activities with other families via McDonald's Facebook page or their personal blogs. To demonstrate how time spent together benefits other families, and that a small gesture can add up to make a big difference, McDonald's will donate one penny to RMHC for each minute pledged, with a goal of reaching 1 million minutes and $10,000 to use toward RMHC programs and services.

RMHC Welcomes Insphere Insurance Solutions

We are excited to welcome Insphere Insurance Solutions to the RMHC Family. Insphere is an insurance agent network that connects customers to Life, Health, Retirement & Long-term care benefit plans from third-party providers (ING, John Hancock, Humana, etc.). Insphere has more than 2,600 independent agents across the U.S., including 90 local office locations, and it is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Insphere has committed to a 3-year partnership with a focus on getting its network of agents and leaders involved with our Chapters across the country. For complete story click here.

The Fourth Ronald McDonald House Opens in Campinas, Brazil...
This is also the 298th RMH in the world!

Coordinated by the Instituto Ronald McDonald, and operated by the Association of Parents and Friends of Children with Cancer and Homeopathies - APACC, the fourth Ronald McDonald House in Campinas, Brazil opens its doors to provide "a home away from home" for families of young cancer patients being treated at the Centro Infantil Boldrini and other nearby hospitals. This House, and 297 around the world, offers a place to call home at little or no cost so families can stay together, helping their children heal faster and cope better.

According to the Instituto Nacional de Cancer (INCA), in Brazil, cancer is the main cause of death in children ages five to 19. The new Ronald McDonald House, in addition to those other already existing in Rio de Janeiro, Santo Andre and Sao Paulo, is a testament of the commitment and dedication of the Instituto Ronald McDonald and its supporters to make a difference in the lives of children in Brazil.

The partnership between the Instituto Ronald McDonald and the APACC began in 2001. During this period, the partnership has contributed to a number of improvements in the organization. With the license to operate as Ronald McDonald House, and now joining the Global RMHC family and its high quality standard of care, international alignment and adoption of a modern technological system of management, the APACC adds value to the work already carried out in the region. "Instituto Ronald McDonald aims to contribute and disseminate best practices in pediatric cancer treatment in Brazil. Campinas represents an important care center, for its relevance on the national scene, hence the importance of recognition and further support to the work of excellence by APACC, now as a Ronald McDonald House,” said the Superintendent of Instituto Ronald McDonald, Francisco Neves.

BEM VINDO Ronald McDonald House in Campinas, Brazil; the entire RMHC system joins the celebration! 

 

Kasey Kahne: Spreading the Word about RMHC and Helping Children Along the Way

Kasey Kahne, long-stand supporter and Celebrity Friend of RMHC, is featured in the July 2010 issue of NASCAR Illustrated. The article “Kasey Kahne Here to Help” features the many ways this successful NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver has supported Ronald McDonald House Charities and the children served by our programs. More than signing a check, Kahne has been committed to donate his time and support local and national events benefiting RMHC.

Most recently, and also mentioned in this article, Kasey celebrated the 10-year milestone of the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program by donating $50K toward a new Ronald McDonald Care Mobile.  Through his “Drive to Care Campaign,”  Kahne is challenging his fans and followers to visit www.drivetocare.org and help raise the $500,000 needed to put a new Ronald McDonald Care Mobile on the road in a neighborhood where high quality care for children is needed. Kasey knows that quality medical and dental care from the youngest age gives kids the green flag to a healthy and happy life. We are thankful and appreciative of his support. You can read the complete article here. 

 

Net Proceeds from the Sale of Leadership Book to Benefit RMHC

Based on an analysis and groundbreaking study of CEOs that Heinz Chairman, President and CEO William R. Johnson sponsored, Preparing CEO’s for Success: What I Wish I Knew shares the insights and experiences of CEOs who have led some of the largest and most recognized public companies in the world. The book is a guide to developing strong business leaders. Net proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Mr. Johnson chose RMHC based on his extensive involvement with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh, where he has served as co-chairman for the Capital Campaign Committee who collectively has raised $2.5 million to date for the new and expanded 60 bedroom Ronald McDonald House® in Pittsburgh. To read full story click here.

 

"Open Doors" Campaign: More than 53,000 Votes Were Cast. The Winning Ronald McDonald Care Mobile is Revealed!

After an overwhelming response to our poll where more than 53,000 people voted, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Bluegrass and their Hazard, KY, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile won with a total of 12,385 people casting their vote. This program has provided over 10,000 children with dental services since opening in 2005. This $5,000 grant is being matched by their Board of Directors, so now even more children will receive critical health education to help them lead healthier and happier lives. Congratulations RMHC of the Bluegrass!

The other top markets that championed their supporters were: Chattanooga, TN with 6,841 votes; Tampa Bay, FL with 6,534 votes; Albany, NY with 4,067 votes, and Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana with 3,470 votes.

The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile “Open Doors” campaign was more than a voting initiative. By integrating digital and social media we were able to deepen relationships and engage our network of supporters and communities through online conversations on our Web site, Facebook, Twitter pages, and blogger posts. With this campaign, we reached more people than ever before. Visit our Media Room to read the complete story.

 

Kasey Kahne Raising $500K for RMHC

Kasey Kahne, driver of the #9 Budweiser Dodge car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and a long-time supporter of RMHC, has teamed up with FOX Sports to get a new Ronald McDonald Care Mobile on the road. Kasey has agreed to kick off this campaign with a personal donation of $50,000, and he is challenging his fans and followers to visit www.drivetocare.org to help him raise the $500,000 needed get a RMCM up and running. Visit our Media Room for media materials.

 

The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile Opens the Door to High Quality Care for Children who Can't Get it Otherwise

Each year nearly 10 million children worldwide die from treatable, preventable diseases, and in the U.S. alone, it is estimated that 51 million school-hours are lost due to lack of dental care. RMHC is part of the solution to these issues. During March 15 - April 30, RMHC will be shining the light on how its unique programs, like the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, open the door to improving children's access to high quality care. Click here to learn more about the impact of the 39 RMCM programs and vote to direct a $5,000 health education grant toward an existing RMHC Chapters' RMCM program. Media materials are available in our Media Room.  

 

Annual McDonald's All American Games to Benefit RMHC of Central Ohio

Throughout the past three decades, the McDonald's All American Games have been the most prestigious showcase of high school basketball talent in the nation. Proceeds from the Games go to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) and our network of local Chapters. Millions of dollars have been raised for RMHC since the inception of the Games. 

The Games have been an inspiration for young athletes, advocating the importance of not only succeeding on the court, but also off the court by giving back to worthy causes like RMHC. Each year during Game week, players visit a local Ronald McDonald House to better undertstand this important lesson. This year they will volunteer at the Columbus Ronald McDonald House. 

 

Read the press release, learn more by going to www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com and follow the action of Game Week on Facebook, YouTube and Flickr