06/30/2026
As June draws to a close and our fundraising efforts for The Ronald McDonald House Charities come to fruition, we are thrilled to share the heartwarming story of how this incredible organization was born and has blossomed to provide comfort and support to over 10 million families worldwide. We invite you to join us in making a difference by supporting this remarkable charity. Every contribution counts, and 100% of all proceeds go directly to RMC. You can donate via:
VENMO: Beth-Lowder or by cash/check, simply message me for details.
Let's come together to make a lasting impact on the lives of families in need. Here's the remarkable story of The Ronald McDonald House. The First House It all began in Philadelphia in 1974 when three-year-old Kim Hill — daughter of Philadelphia Eagles football player Fred Hill and his wife, Fran — was being treated for leukemia at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. During Kim’s three years of treatment, the Hills often camped out on hospital chairs and benches and ate makeshift meals out of vending machines, all while watching other parents do the same. They learned that many families traveled great distances to bring their children to the medical facility and couldn’t afford hotel rooms. The Hills knew there had to be a better way. Fred rallied the support of his Eagles teammates to raise funds. Through Jim Murray, the Eagles’ general manager, the team offered its support to Dr. Audrey Evans, head of the pediatric oncology unit at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Evans dreamed of a comfortable temporary residence for families of children being treated at her hospital. Murray enlisted Don Tuckerman from the local McDonald’s advertising agency, who with the support of McDonald’s Regional Manager Ed Rensi, launched the St. Patrick’s Day Green Milkshake (now known as the Shamrock Shake) promotion. Funds raised went toward purchasing an old house located near the hospital. And, thus, the first Ronald McDonald House came to be. By 1979, 10 more houses opened. By 1984, local communities founded another 60 houses; then 53 more opened by 1989. Today, more than 377 Ronald McDonald House programs operate in 45 countries and regions around the world, providing comfort and support to more than 10 million families since 1974.
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