Community Gathers Change For Ronald McDonald House Charities
REBECCA HAZEN/Dade County Sentinel
Tax Commissioner Angie Galloway receives a donation in the McDonald’s drive-thru, for the Ronald McDonald House Charities’ Day of Change.
By REBECCA HAZEN
News Editor
Local community members gathered at the Trenton McDonald’s on Friday, July 22 to collect change for the Ronald McDonald House Charities’ (RMHC) Day of Change fundraiser.
All donations collected during the day will benefit the Chattanooga Ronald McDonald House.
The objective of all Ronald McDonald Houses is to house the families of sick children and to provide meals.
Mary Lynn Wilson, Board Chair of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chattanooga, noted that the Ronald McDonald House is located across the street from Erlanger hospital, and families from all over the region stay there.
“It is all free. It gives them a chance to be directly across the street from their child. It also gives the child the assurance that mom and dad are right there,” Wilson said.
The first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia in 1974. Since then, there are over 375 Ronald McDonald House programs. RMHC provides more than 1.4 million overnight stays each year, helping families save nearly over $443 million in lodging and meal expenses. Since the Day of Change was started in 2010, the fundraising event has raised more than $151,000.
“This is one of our big fundraisers. The McDonald’s restaurants have been wonderful to partner with,” Wilson said.
Last year, The Trenton McDonald’s placed second in the Greater Chattanooga Area Day of Change.
In addition, there will be another opportunity to fundraise for the Ronald McDonald House during the Run4Kids event on Aug. 13. The 5K run and walk will be held at Chattanooga State Community College at 9 a.m. The cost to register for the timed 5K run is $25 and the one–mile walk is $15. Register for the run at www.athlinks.com/event/rmhc-run4kids-353377.
For more information, visit rmhcattanooga.com.