Seventy-three percent of the most prestigious children’s hospitals in the world are supported by at least one of the RMHC core programs providing families and children much-needed access to health care.
Healing and hope for kids
McDonald’s believes in the power of community to transform the world. This is particularly true when it comes to fostering the health and well-being of young people. So it’s natural that our charity of choice should be Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).
McDonald’s Corporation provides free use of facilities, equipment, materials and other general and administrative costs for the global office of RMHC. This helps defray costs that RMHC would otherwise incur and allows donations from the public to be distributed directly to grants and program services that benefit children.
McDonald’s franchisees, restaurant and regional staff members and suppliers provide additional funding and volunteer support for RMHC. McDonald’s customers also support RMHC through a variety of fundraising events and programs, including donations in RMHC collection canisters and McDonald’s World Children’s Day – a global fundraiser that takes place each November.
Getting happy in Brazil
Coordinated by Ronald McDonald House Charities Brazil, McHappy Day is Brazil's largest fundraising campaign to combat pediatric cancer. Since 1989, it has raised RS $80 million. In 2007, it achieved a fundraising record, hitting the RS $ 10 million mark.
All proceeds from the sales of Big Macs, plus promotional items such as caps and key rings go to the aid of pediatric cancer patients. They support the acquisition of hospital equipment and supplies, the construction and expansion of research centers, medical care facilities and support houses, and the implementation of bone marrow transplantation units.
Greener chapters: Sustainable Ronald McDonald Houses
Using their expertise in architecture design and development, company experts guided RMHC in the development of RMHC Design and Construction Guidelines, which include guidelines for site selection, design development, material selection and construction methods that incorporate green strategies. These include:
- Optimizing energy performance via high-efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems
- Using energy-efficient lighting and sensors
- Optimizing use of natural light from windows, roof monitors and skylights
- Using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power
- Using EPA Energy Star labeled appliances and equipment
- Creating an indoor air quality management plan
- Using local, renewable resources such as wood products from well-managed forests or locally manufactured brick
In the U.S, RMHC of Austin and Central Texas opened the first Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) certified Ronald McDonald House in the world. The Chapter worked with Green Mountain Energy Company, a leading provider of cleaner energy and carbon offset solutions. To promote good environmental practices, educational kiosks were placed inside the House to explain how the solar panels contribute to the building’s energy efficiency.
In 2008, Atlanta’s 50-room Ronald McDonald House became the second House built and certified to LEED specifications. The House includes a dedicated transplant wing with 10 private, two-bedroom suites for families of children who have received bone marrow, heart, liver or kidney transplants.