Our Relationship with McDonald's

Our Relationship With McDonald's

McDonald's New National Fundraiser Efforts Bring Families Together to Benefit Children in Need

Since the summer of 2010, participating McDonald's restaurants in the U.S. have been donating proceeds from all daily Happy Meal and Mighty Kids Meal sales to McDonald's "Charity of Choice," local RMHC chapters, benefitting thousands of children and their families every day. This initiative will continue through 2011.

Ronald McDonald House Charities has been McDonald’s "charity of choice" for 36 years.

We are a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, but McDonald's is our largest corporate donor. Portions of the annual operating costs for Ronald McDonald Houses are graciously funded by McDonald's and owner/operators of local McDonald's restaurants. The remainder of our annual operating income comes from the generosity of individual and corporate donors.

McDonald’s involvement extends beyond monetary support:

* Kansas McDonald's store owner/operators from the Mid-Kansas Co-Op and High Plains Co-Op support the organization through various fundraising and promotional activities, as well as serving on the Board of Directors and committees.

* McDonald’s employees are dedicated volunteers.

* RMHC Donation Boxes hosted in restaurants and drive-thrus are the largest source of ongoing RMHC Global fundraising.

* In-restaurant sales of the Wichita Eagle are donated to RMHC.

* McDonald's conducts an annual fundraiser in November called McHappy Day. Since 2002, it has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for RMHC Wichita.

* Although McDonald’s is our largest corporate donor, no company can solely fund RMHC Wichita programs and our projected growth. We need the support of the entire community and greatly value any support you can afford us, whether it’s through cash donations, your time or fundraising efforts.

Funds raised by McDonald's for RMHC Wichita account for 12 - 15% of the yearly operating budget of the organization.

RMHC Wichita has a license with McDonald's Corporation to operate our programs and to use its trademarks.

RMHC-Themed McDonald's Restaurants Open

RMHC and McDonald’s celebrate a 35-year partnership this year, and two owner/operators in America are showing their support by raising awareness and donations for RMHC.

Cindy Levine Black and her husband Kenny opened the United States’ first RMHC-themed McDonald’s restaurant, in Martinsburg, West Virginia last year. The restaurant prominently features the RMHC logo and compelling photos of children. The crew wears the RMHC logo on their hats, sleeves and crew shirts.

After becoming involved with RMHC through the McDonald’s Women’s Owner/Operators Network and as a member of the National Leadership Council’s RMHC Activation Team last year, she wanted to increase the RMHC message throughout McDonald’s stores. She has trained her crew in the RMHC mission so they can educate customers and encourage them to donate their change in the RMHC Donation Boxes placed in front of each till. “When customers really understand what the Charity is all about, you’d be surprised how fast those RMHC Donation Boxes fill up,” Cindy says.

Ron and June Hoffman, McDonald’s owner/operators in Fort Worth, Texas, opened the country’s second RMHC-themed McDonald’s restaurant in November. When it came time to choose the décor of their third store, the couple – both longtime supporters of RMHC – wanted to use the theme of giving back to the community. The store features RMHC photographs and messages of the Charity’s mission and programs. June believes, “The RMHC theme is our way of educating the public and focusing 24/7 on the need to give back.”

These owner/operators are just a few of the countless, dedicated McDonald’s owner/operators worldwide who support their local RMHC Chapters with contributions that make a vital difference in their own communities.

“When customers really understand what the Charity is all about, you’d be surprised how fast those RMHC Donation Boxes fill up,” Cindy says.