NEW YORK — The World Children's Day at McDonald's celebration took place Nov. 20, 2007, at the Ronald McDonald House of New York City. McDonald's USA president Don Thompson was joined by entertainment stars Hayden Panettiere from NBC-TV's "Heroes;" multiplatinum artist and songwriter, Ne-Yo; actress, singer and comedienne Angelica Vale; and celebrity chef Ron Bilaro.
The entertainment stars joined the "Friends of RMHC" network of more than 30,000 volunteers who support the charities' programs worldwide.
World Children's Day at McDonald's is a worldwide annual fundraising effort at McDonald's restaurants in more than 100 countries. Since its inception in 2002, World Children's Day at McDonald's has raised $100 million to help children and families through RMHC programs, including Ronald McDonald Houses, Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles, grants and scholarships, plus other children's charities.
At the event, RMHC also announced a goal to raise $600 million over the next four years to:
- Build 68 new Ronald McDonald Houses, for a total of 339, and expand 30 existing Houses, so that each night 8,000 families will be able to call a Ronald McDonald House home
- Open 56 more Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, raising the number to 171, so RMHC can serve a total of a million and a half families per year
- Roll out 23 new Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles, bringing the fleet to 54, enabling RMHC to serve more than 420,000 children each year with dental and medical care in their neighborhoods.
