Ronald McDonald House Blogs

Nothing beats the smile you can put on a child’s face with something made from the heart. It is not about the money, or the expensive gifts. Sometimes just doing what you can do to make a Members of the Patchwork Pals Quilt Guild holding pillow cases  difference is enough. In this case a local nonprofit came together to help a make difference for the better.  This wonderful non profit is known as Patchwork Pals Quilt Guild. They came together to make 100 pillowcases. They made designs like fruits, and jungle animals. I can’t imagine the smile this puts on not only the families faces, but the kids faces. They then donated the pillow cases to the Ronald McDonald House of Iowa located in Charles City.  They have contributed numerous times to the Ronald McDonald House in the past for which we are eternally grateful for. The quilting group is extremely involved in the community. They have  crafted masks for care centers, pregnancy bags for the maternity ward, quilts ...

 In Gainsville Florida, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of North-Central Florida hosted their Beyond Bourbon 2020 event for children getting treatment at UF Health Shands.  The fundraiser had cocktails at the event and a silent auction, all while listening to stories of families who were impacted by the Ronald McDonald house. The most popular live auction items were dinner for six at Spurrier's restaurant when it opens back up from COVID-19, and a trip to the Florida Keys.  WCJB , an ABC news station in Gainsville Florida has helped host and sponsor the event since the beginning of the event. They were also proud to announce that they raised 46-thousand dollars which is more money than they raised last year. All donations will go towards the Ronald McDonald House, which brings families together while their child is getting treatment at UF Health Shands. It not only gives these families a place to stay but a place to feel safe and closer to their child during a time wh...

The AbbVie donation of 100$ million is the largest single donation in both AbbVie and Ronald McDonald House Charities history. The money will provide essential support for housing, meals, and education for hospitalized children and their families across the globe. "While RMHC serves millions of children and their families each year, we know that we only serve a small percentage of pediatric patients' families who need our services.  This extraordinary gift from AbbVie will move us closer to meeting that unmet need," said  Sheila Musolino , president and CEO, RMHC. "Having a child with a serious illness is one of the most difficult experiences anyone can face," said  Laura Schumacher , executive vice president, external affairs, general counsel and corporate secretary, AbbVie. "Our donation is grounded in the shared belief that families should have the necessary resources to care for a hospitalized child, along with the support to strengthen their well-being...

Jim Spinler has been collecting pop top tabs for Ronald McDonald House Charities for about 30 years. Spinler set a goal for 3 million pop top tabs and now that he has reached his goal he will donate the tabs to the charity. It takes about 1,128 pop top tabs to make a pound, and with aluminum valued at nearly 50 cents a pound the pop top program brings in nearly $6,000 a year. Spinler's collection weighs more than 2,000 pounds and his hard work through the years will be very appreciated for the RMHC. Spinler said, "I might still keep on going a long as I'm still alive. To make somebody happy was worth it". This all started when Spinler had a friend who's son had a kidney infection and stayed at a Ronald McDonald House in Rochester. And, ever since then we saw Spinler collecting pop top tabs for the charity in return. The link to this article is: https://www.ajc.com/news/national/man-collects-million-pop-top-tabs-for-ronald-mcdonald-house/Foqo415C9vhpDTntgnVA5K/

In these uncertain, trying times it is now more important than ever to remain consistent. It is crucial to be there for one another, but also be consistent in helping to make a difference. Every year Ronald McDonald House New York hosts a Gala to support families and raise money, they aren’t letting the coronavirus stand in their way. This year they will host their 28th Annual Gala virtually.  There will be a performance and guest appearances from stars like Amy Poehler and Taylor Kitsch. The event will take place on November 16th at 7 p.m. on ABC 7. This is something to get the kids and everyone else involved excited. It is during hard times like these that we show support and do something for someone else that is bigger than ourselves. Ronald McDonald House New York also wants to make it known that they have been showing their support in other ways with funds and donations as well. They are doing all they can to give back and provide meals, transportation, games and activities. T...

Local news, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, recently talked with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas (RMHCA) to discuss an important contributor and volunteer who has time and time again donated their support and financial gifts.  Donna Clark Outside of Ronald McDonald House Arkansas RMHCA Facility  RMHCA consists of 32 suites, a large kitchen, and recreation areas all housed in its state-of-the-art facility. This house, and others across the country, would not have been possible without the generosity of supporters such as Donna Clark and her late husband David Clark who donated towards the opening of the house in 2016. Continued Involvement Since then, Clark has been extremely involved with the RMHCA. She had this to say to the Gazette about the work they do, “We are a home away from home when families have seriously ill children and need to be close to them. Family helps in the healing process. The closer the family is to a sick child, the better their chance for rec...

Graphics of Both Greater Washington, D.C. Houses Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, DC (RMHCDC) has recently celebrated two major milestones. The first milestone was celebrating their chapter’s 40th anniversary of helping children and families going through difficult times. They are also celebrating a second milestone, an upgrading of their facilities.                                                                                                                       Local news, Inside Nova, recently covered the expansion of the Washington D.C. chapter. The chapter consists of two houses with one being located in Northern Virginia and the other in Northeast Washington, D....

The Ronald McDonald House understands that despite a pandemic, real health crises are still impeding on many families with young, sick children. There is still a need for the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) and all they have to offer. The Charlotte location recently housed Caitlin and Nate Greene while their newborn son, Charlie, received treatment at a local hospital.  Within their son's first two hours of life, he was transferred to Levine Children's Hospital. This left parents far from home and out of work in order to stay with their son. With the help of RMHC, the Greene's had a place to stay and meals whenever necessary in hopes to eliminate some of the hassle of their son's medical needs.  When  WSOCTV  interviewed the couple,  Nate Greene testifies that, "it's made everything possible." Many families like the Greene's have been calling the RMHC home despite the pandemic. "There's not enough words for sure. We've been totally ...

Children who have spent their lives in a hospital for the most part need their parent's support and the feeling of having a family by their side. Ronald McDonald House Charities are what can help bring families together, even if it a home away from home.  USA Today caught up with the Woelfel family, whose 4-year-old child Caroline was born with a hole in her heart, talked about how the Ronald Mcdonald House Charities brought their family back together. Stacy Woelfel, the mother of Caroline, wanted to emphasize that the Ronald McDonald House changed their entire experience,  “Ronald McDonald House® is here so we can have our base, and be with our child,” Stacy said. “We have the freedom to come when we need to. It’s so important. Caroline will never be alone in this. Never.” Stacy Woelfel, daughter Carolina smile together. (Photo from Ronald McDonald House Charities Atlanta ) Ronald McDonald House Charities is not just looking to be a place where you feel you are saving money,...

(Photo from  RMHC Southwestern Ontario ) Many local Ronald McDonald House Chapters (RMHC) have faced economic hardship as a result of COVID-19. Seeing the impact this has left on the charities, McDonald's restaurants in the Charlotte, NC area have hosted a Drive-Thru challenge to see who can raise the most money to donate to their local house.  The Drive-Thru challenge lasted for just over a month during    (Photo from  RMHC-CTMA ) summer 2020. The aim of this challenge was to increase awareness about the "Round Up for RMHC" initiative, which allows customers to make small donations by rounding up to the nearest dollar, that collectively amounts to a lot for the RMHC.       While "Round Up for RMHC" is typically just for customers who dine in the restaurant, introducing the challenge to McDonald's Drive-Thru customers allowed them to reach more potential donors.            What start...

 Ronald McDonald House Charities secured another great partnership this past August. RMHC partnered with the Kellogg Company to provide breakfast to families staying at one of 144 Ronald McDonald House's in the United States. RMHC CEO Sheila Musolino, Kellogg's Away From Home President Wendy Davidson, and Kellogg's mascot Tony the Tiger pose for a picture outside of Ronald McDonald House's Lurie's Children's Hospital location in Chicago after announcing their partnership. (Photo from Daily Herald )   The announcement of this partnership took place at the Ronald McDonald House closest to Lurie Children Hospital in Chicago and featured RMHC CEO Sheila Musolino, Kellogg's Away from Home President Wendy Davidson and Tony the Tiger, the beloved Kellogg's mascot. The partnership between RMHC and Kellogg's is an extension of Kellogg's Better Days program . This program partners with organizations to support various worldwide communities. The Kellogg...

 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many charitable organizations were forced to close their doors. Ronald McDonald House knew that they were not going to be able to house as many families as they had in the past. But while restrictions caused them to stop their normal operations, Ronald McDonald House of Central New York still found a way to give back. The Central New York Ronald McDonald House turned its focus to provide emergency lodging to frontline healthcare professionals at Upstate University Hospital. The hospital does not have to pay the house to use it but their only expense to use the house is a small cleaning fee.  "We greatly appreciate the support of one of our community's most cherished agencies," said CEO of Upstate University Hospital Robert Corona, according to Upstate News . "We are grateful for their generosity." With Central New York Ronald McDonald House having to shift their focus, executive director Beth Trunfio sees the pandemic as an opportu...