Ronald McDonald House Charities® Of The Philadelphia Region Joins Global Storytelling Movement To Celebrate 40 years Of Keeping Families Together

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Over the last 40 years, Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) has supported millions of families with critically-ill children by providing family centered care programs that help them stay together and close by during an unimaginable time. Since 1974, the Charity has grown to support nearly 9 million people each year. Now through October 15^th, RMHC of the Philadelphia Region is celebrating this anniversary and inviting the community to join their 40^th birthday celebration and become part of a global storytelling movement.

This milestone is particularly special for Philadelphia because the very first Ronald McDonald House® opened 40 years ago right here on Chestnut Street. Since then, this effort to provide families of sick children with support and the comforts of home has grown into a worldwide movement that has served millions in nearly 350 Ronald McDonald Houses around the globe. Every bit of change makes a difference, and on the annual Day of Change we're setting out to prove that our collective contributions can make a massive impact.  

Believing in the notion that nothing matters more than family, starting October 8^th, RMHC of the Philadelphia Region is inviting individuals and businesses to share their RMHC stories and experiences using #forRMHC. To inspire creative storytelling, the charity encourages people to incorporate the iconic RMHC red and white stripes into their post as a visual symbol of support for all the families who have been touched by RMHC programs. The social media campaign will begin October 8^th and culminate on the October 15^th anniversary, which is designated as the RMHC Day of Change.

"The anniversary is an opportunity to connect people in our community with others from around the world who have a shared experience through RMHC," says Bill Roberson, president of RMHC of the Philadelphia Region, Inc. "No one understands the emotional and physical stress RMHC families go through better than the families who have experienced it themselves, the volunteers who are there every day to support them and the donors who help ensure we can support as many parents and children as possible. This celebration is an incredible opportunity to come together and see the impact RMHC has around the world and we are incredibly proud that it all started in Philadelphia 40 years ago."

About Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philadelphia Region, Inc.
RMHC of the Philadelphia Region, Inc. grants hundreds of thousands of dollars per year to support local non-profit programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. In addition, RMHC supports four scholarship programs for high school seniors; the Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey and Delaware Ronald McDonald Houses; the St. Christopher's Foundation for Children Ronald McDonald Care Mobile; and 16 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms in area hospitals.  The charity receives its support from McDonald's Corporation, McDonald's Owner/Operators, corporate donors and McDonald's customers.  For more information, visit www.rmhcphilly.org.

Contact: Shannon Wilson
Tierney
215-790-4391
[email protected]

SOURCE Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philadelphia Region, Inc.