Ronald McDonald House Charities

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Ronald McDonald House in Essen, Germany, designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser

A Ronald McDonald House (named after Ronald McDonald) is a place where the parents of children that are in a nearby hospital can stay at night for reduced or no cost. The first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1974. In 1985, the first Ronald McDonald House outside the United States opened, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands^{[citation needed]}. In 1991, the 150th Ronald McDonald House opened, in Paris, France. On July 25, 2005, the 250th opened, in Caracas, Venezuela. Currently, there are 271 Ronald McDonald Houses operating in 30 countries.

In 1994, the Chronicle of Philanthropy, an industry publication, released the results of the largest study of charitable and non-profit organization popularity and credibility conducted by Nye Lavalle & Associates. The study showed that Ronald McDonald House was ranked as the 2nd "most popular charity/non-profit in America" of over 100 charities researched with 50% of Americans over the age of 12 choosing Love and Like A lot for Ronald McDonald House.^[1]

Short facts

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As of 2005^[update]:

Ronald McDonald House in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.

• Present in more than 50 countries, with one or more Ronald McDonald House programs in 30 countries.
• Provides more than 6,000 bedrooms each night for families of ill children through its network of 273 Ronald McDonald House programs.
• Provided more than 10 million families with temporary residences near medical facilities where their children are being treated for serious illnesses.
• Supported by more than 30,000 volunteers annually who help in the Ronald McDonald House Charity programs worldwide.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities has provided hundreds of millions of dollars in grants and program services to causes worldwide that benefit children.
• The cost per night varies at each House ($10 or $15 are common). However, no one is ever turned away due to lack of funds.
• In 2006 Sarah, Duchess of York, was named global ambassador for World Children's Day for the second straight year.
• World Children's Day is an annual event that raises money for Ronald McDonald House Charities(RMH) and other children's causes.
• Over 100 countries participate in the event by selecting a day or days in the month of November to host fund raising events.
• Children between the ages of 0-21, who are being treated at nearby hospitals and their families are eligible to stay at a local Ronald McDonald House.
• Each Ronald McDonald House Program is owned and operated by local RMHC Chapters, each has its own local Board of Directors.

• On April 25th, 2009, the Ronald McDonald House held their 1st Annual Red Shoe Ball in San Diego, CA to celebrate the unveiling of their new 65,000 sq ft (6,000 m²) house.

Funding

Ronald McDonald House collection canister

The Ronald McDonald Houses are financially supported by donations from the public and corporate donors who form cause marketing partnerships with the organization. In many McDonald's restaurants, a collection canister is placed as a fundraiser, donations to which are forwarded to the Ronald McDonald Houses. The houses are not owned or operated by the McDonald’s company, but the company provides the houses with free equipment and services to reduce the cost of operation, and public awareness through fundraising events. In 2003, Joan Kroc, wife of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc, donated $60 million to the Ronald McDonald House Charity. The Ronald McDonald House Charities are the official philanthropy of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. In 2007, it was among over 530 arts and social service institutions to receive part of a $20 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation, which was made possible through a donation by New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.^[2]

Through the Ronald McDonald House's Pop Tab Collection Program, to date more than $4 million has been generated. The Pop Tab Collection Program has been established to allow individuals and businesses to collect pop tabs from aluminum cans and donate them to the Ronald McDonald House. Though it differs from House to House, for the most part, Ronald McDonald House uses the money received from recycling the tabs to help offset operational expenses or to sponsor or support programs. Not all Houses participate in the Pop Tab Program.

Awards

Worth magazine named Ronald McDonald House Charity one of “America’s 100 Best Charities” in 2001 and 2002.

See also

• Jim Murray

Notes

References

Web

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ronald McDonald House

• Ronald McDonald House Official Website