Ronald McDonald House Charities begins fundraiser to benefit communities

Date: 8/3/2010

GREATER SPRINGFIELD -- Local McDonald's restaurants teamed up with customers to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts and honor McDonald's founder Ray Kroc on Aug. 1. Dedicated to Kroc's spirit of giving back to the community, the two-week long fundraiser runs until Aug. 15 and involves the sale of paper cutouts of Ronald McDonald shoes on which customers can write their name and post inside each restaurant. The shoes are sold for $1 and all proceeds will remain with the local RMHC chapter.

More than 170 restaurants are participating in the program. Through its grant making, RMHC of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts will donate the monies collected to local organizations that help children and families live healthier and happier lives.

"Ronald McDonald House Charities accepts grant applications from non-profit organizations dedicated to improving children's lives," Laura Phillips Ward, president of RMHC of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts, said. "The money raised through the sale of the Ronald McDonald shoes during the two week fundraiser will help many children whether they're at school or in a hospital or served by another organization that receives funding from RMHC."

So far this year, RMHC of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts has awarded more than $200,000 to organizations throughout Connecticut and Western Massachusetts, including: Community Health Services in Hartford, Conn.; The Homework House in Holyoke; Waterbury Hospital in Connecticut; The Gray House in Springfield; Connecticut Institute for the Blind in Hartford; Riverfront Children's Center in Groton; Boys and Girls Club of New Haven, Conn.; and Susan B. Anthony Project in Torrington.

RMHC also makes quarterly contributions to the Ronald McDonald Houses in both Springfield and New Haven.

For more information about RMHC or to apply for a grant, please call Carole Bowman at (860) 659-0514, visit www.rmhc-ctma.org.