Southern California McDonald's Kicks Off Annual Ronald McDonald House Charities 'Give A Hand' Fundraiser To Raise Money For Families In Need

Annual fundraiser puts emphasis on family togetherness

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Nov 11, 2013, 11:00 ET

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California McDonald's® restaurants launched the annual Ronald McDonald House Charities "Give A Hand" fundraiser to help raise meaningful funds for its "Charity of Choice." Ronald McDonald House Charities creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children.

From now until Nov. 20, 2013, supporters will be able to give a hand to families in need by purchasing a paper hand at all participating McDonald's restaurants in Southern California. Each donation, available in $1, $3 or $5 denominations, supports Ronald McDonald House Charities family-centered programs in the U.S., such as Ronald McDonald Houses, that enable families with sick children to stay together during their treatment, helping them cope better and heal faster. The more hands sold, the more families are helped.

In addition to the "Give A Hand" fundraiser, McDonald's supports Ronald McDonald House Charities year-round through donations from Happy Meal or Mighty Kids Meal sales, in-restaurant Ronald McDonald House Charities Donation Boxes and various local initiatives. The local chapter, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California, operates six Ronald McDonald Houses, two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms®, Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times®, a Community Grants Board and four scholarship programs.

"For nearly 35 years, local McDonald's restaurants have been supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California, and because of it, so many local families in need have been able to heal together and find the vital resources they need to help their children reach their full potential," said Clay Paschen III, McDonald's owner/operator and president of the McDonald's Operators' Association of Southern California (MOASC). "Southern California McDonald's are proud to again support the 'Give A Hand' fundraiser, and encourage residents to make a donation during their next visit."

New this year, McDonald's has partnered with Snapfish by HP to strengthen the annual fundraiser by celebrating customers who donate through a Family Togetherness Photo Contest. The Family Togetherness Photo Contest invites families to upload a photo that demonstrates what family togetherness means to them. Families who enter will have the chance to win prizes including a family vacation, prizes from Snapfish by HP, and more.

Join this year's Ronald McDonald House Charities "Give A Hand" conversation online by following @McDonalds_SoCal and @RMHC_SoCal and using #GiveAHand.

About McDonald's

MOASC is comprised of more than 600 franchised and company-owned McDonald's restaurants in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties. Visit us online at www.McDonaldsSoCal.com, or follow us on Twitter: @McDonalds_SoCal.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Southern California

For more than 35 years, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California (RMHCSC) programs have been committed to providing comfort, care and support to children and families across Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. RMHCSC operates six Ronald McDonald Houses in Bakersfield, Loma Linda, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Orange and Pasadena and two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, which help seriously-ill children and their families stay together during difficult times. Within Southern California, RMHCSC has provided more than $22 million in funding through its Community Grants Board to deserving non-profits and funds four college scholarship programs that have awarded more than $4.5 million to exemplary high school students. More information about RMHCSC and its programs can be found at www.rmhcsc.org or on www.Facebook.com/RMHCSoCal and www.Twitter.com/RMHC_SoCal.

McDonald's, Give A Hand, Ronald McDonald House Charities, RMHC, Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room, and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile are trademarks of McDonald's Corporation and its affiliates.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Sarah Stanley
Porter Novelli
(202) 256-0456
[email protected]

SOURCE McDonald's