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McDonald's celebrates 35 years of Ronald McDonald House Charities
November 10, 2009
This November, McDonald's restaurants across the nation will celebrate 35 years of helping children and families in need through its Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) program with McHappy Day Nov. 20.
McHappy Day, the company's signature fundraising event for the RMHC program, will include the groundbreaking of the 300th Ronald McDonald House, in St. Louis. The new house, scheduled to open in September 2010, will join Ronald McDonald Houses in 30 countries and regions and will serve as a "home away from home" for families whose children are going through medical treatment in nearby hospitals.
Participating McDonald's U.S. restaurants will be raising funds and awareness for RMHC through Nov. 20. For the past seven years, McDonald's fundraising efforts have raised more than $150 million for RMHC and other children's causes worldwide through support from McDonald's customers, employees, owner/operators and suppliers.
"We're proud of our long-standing support of Ronald McDonald House Charities, and our shared commitment to the happiness and well-being of children and families around the world," said Don Thompson, president, McDonald's USA. "Now more than ever, we understand just how critical the Charity's services are to families in need. By helping to 'Give A Hand' during McHappy Day this November, RMHC can continue expanding its programs and services to even more children and families."
In-restaurant and online Give A Hand fundraising programs include:
- In-store — Paper Hands will be sold for $1 each at participating McDonald's restaurants, with all proceeds going to RMHC. In addition, when customers visit participating McDonald's restaurants on Nov. 20, $1 from the sale of select menu items will be donated to RMHC.
- Facebook application — The Give a Hand Facebook page includes a "Give A Hand for Ronald McDonald House Charities" application. The application enables users to virtually Give A Hand to those in need, share Hands with friends online and pledge their support for RMHC and McHappy Day. In honor of the 35th anniversary of the first Ronald McDonald House, McDonald's USA will donate $1 per virtual Hand shared online to RMHC, up to 35,000 Hands.
- Twitter support — New this year, customers can also show their support for RMHC on Twitter by using the #McHappyDay hash tag and following @McDonalds and @RMHC for more information.
Seventy-five percent of the funds raised will benefit local RMHC Chapters and their programs benefiting local children and their families. The remaining 25 percent will benefit the charity's global network of programs, including Ronald McDonald Houses, Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles, Ronald McDonald Family Rooms and RMHC Grants and Scholarships.
"Our corporate partners and dedicated volunteers help make it possible for RMHC to continue to grow and expand our services to meet the needs of families with seriously ill and injured children," said Marty Coyne, president and CEO, Ronald McDonald House Charities. "McDonald's signature fundraiser, McHappy Day, is a true testament to the long-standing relationship that RMHC has with McDonald's and demonstrates how their customers, partners and employees have joined together to raise millions of dollars to provide for children in need."
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