Giving local love to Ronald McDonald House Charities

Local McDonald’s restaurants are engaging in a new fundraiser to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) this summer through the “Sleeves to Support” program. Michael Love, President of the RMHC of the Tri-State said that the program was developed by  Coca-Cola and will create funding through sales of insulated beverage sleeves specifically designed to hold McDonald’s cups.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities was founded in 1974 with their first home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. McDonald’s became a big supporter through its owners/operators, suppliers, employees and customers. As a non-profit 501c3 organization, RMHC relies solely on donations from fundraising efforts. McDonald's continues to be their biggest corporate sponsor. 

The goal of RMHC is to keep families with sick children together and close to the care and resources they need. Located in 65 countries and regions around the globe, the two Kentucky locations are in Louisville and Lexington. 

Both Ronald McDonald House Charities in Kentucky just recently opened their doors again after a brief closure due to COVID-19. They’re in phase one of a four phase process. 

The homes and family rooms that RMHC offers to children and their parents during their time of need is a blessing. Parents whose children are sick and need medical attention away from their hometowns, are very grateful to have a place to stay without worrying about the financial toll of days, weeks or even months of lodging.  

The local RMHC of the Tri-State chapter impacts approximately 70,000 children’s lives per year in western Kentucky, southern Illinois, and southeast Missouri. Just last week, a grant was awarded to Symsonia elementary in Kentucky. In addition to their summer lunch pick-up program, a $2,000 grant to buy books to hand-out to every child that stopped to get a lunch was given. 

A few weeks earlier, the local RHMC donated funds to the McCracken County Community Career Endowment to purchase laptops for two of the MCCCE 2020 scholarship recipients. 

The cost of the ‘special sleeve’ for the “Sleeves for Support” program is $5 while supplies last. In addition to the sleeves program, the local McDonald’s are raising funds through the Penny Per Happy Meal initiative. The idea is to enrich the lives of local children and it only takes a few spare coins to ‘roll up your sleeves’ and make a difference in a child’s life. 

 

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