FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Alene Mestjian
Director of Development & Communications
Direct: 559.447.6793
alene@rmhccv.org
www.rmhccv.org

McDonald’s and Customers Help Ronald McDonald House Charities Of The Central Valley Keep Children, Families Together When They Need It Most
Company seeks to raise $5 million through annual fundraiser benefitting Ronald McDonald House Charities

MADERA, CALIF., November 27 – With the Season of Giving upon us, and as families everywhere make plans to spend quality time together over the holidays, McDonald’s customers in the Central Valley can help families who must travel great distances to seek treatment for their seriously ill children, by allowing them to stay close to one another as well.

McDonald’s 16th Annual National Fundraiser benefitting Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) kicks off Tuesday, November 27 and continues through Sunday, December 9 in participating restaurants nationwide. This year’s fundraiser is not just about helping families with sick children, it is about helping every family celebrate the joy of giving in a tangible, affordable, and easy way. Customers who visit a participating Central Valley McDonald’s during this time can help support families staying at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Central Valley by purchasing a donation card for $1, $3 or $5 at the counter, drive-thru or kiosk under the promotional menu item section. These small, affordable amounts have tangible value for RMHC chapters across the country, making each donation meaningful and understandable for a child. Value such as:

  • $1 – or just four quarters – could provide coloring books for kids staying at RMHC.
  • $3 could provide art supplies for a RMHC playroom
  • $5 could mean a new game for RMHC families.

All fundraiser proceeds benefit RMHC, which helps keep families in local communities in the Central Valley close to each other and the care and resources they need when they have a sick child. For each donation, 75 percent of funds go to the local RMHC chapter and 25 percent is contributed to the RMHC globally to reinvest in initiatives around the world. McDonald’s hopes to raise $5 million for the Charity this year through the National Fundraiser.

“The proceeds from this fundraiser will directly benefit families in our community who are in need,” said Mike Agostini, McDonald’s Owner/Operator. “We’re proud to continue to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Central Valley through this annual fundraiser.”

McDonald’s has supported RMHC programs around the world for over 43 years by facilitating fundraising in restaurants, donating expertise and resources and volunteering with local Chapters. Throughout the year, McDonald’s customers can find RMHC Donation Boxes at the front counter and in drive-thrus at participating restaurants. No donation is too small, and every contribution makes a difference. From 2010-2017, McDonald’s USA’s support of RMHC through penny per Happy Meal donations, the National Fundraiser, and restaurant Donation Boxes has raised $298 million in contributions to the Charity.

“During this holiday season, nothing is more important than being close to family,” said Dr. Kent Karsevar, Executive Director of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Central Valley. “This fundraiser will allow us to help families stay close to their child who is hospitalized, and we are so grateful for the support of McDonald’s and their generous customers.”

RMHC has local Chapters in more than 64 countries and regions with 366 Ronald McDonald Houses, 248 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms and 50 Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles.

People can also donate to RMHC online by visiting rmhc.org/donate.

About McDonald’s USA

McDonald’s USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to more than 25 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. Customers can now log online for free at approximately 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald’s U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @McDonalds and Facebook www.facebook.com/McDonaldsUS/.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), is a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) corporation that creates, finds, and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families. Through its global network of over 275 Chapters in more than 64 countries and regions, and its three core programs: the Ronald McDonald House, the Ronald McDonald Family Room and the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, RMHC helps families with sick children stay together, and close to the medical care their child needs at leading hospitals worldwide. RMHC programs not only provide access to quality health care, they enable family-centered care ensuring families are fully supported and actively involved in their children’s care. For more information, visit rmhc.org. Follow RMHC on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

 

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