Our Relationship with McDonald’s

RMHC Founding Mission Partner Since 1974

The first Ronald McDonald House opened on October 15, 1974 in Philadelphia thanks to Dr. Audrey Evans and Philadelphia Eagles’ player Fred Hill. Fred’s daughter, Kim, had leukemia and as a result of their experience with the illness, took the opportunity to provide a place for all families who may need to travel to give their own children the highest level of care. The McDonald’s owner/operators in Philadelphia made the first House possible by donating proceeds from the sale of Shamrock Shakes.

Today, each Ronald McDonald House is independently operated and develops their own relationship with their local McDonald’s restaurants. In Montana, each store has a donation box connected both inside and outside of the restaurant designed to collect spare change from customers. Those coins directly benefit the families staying in our House.

The restaurants supporting our House do so by sponsoring specific projects or events, volunteering and providing in-kind support. Throughout the year, McDonald’s restaurants in Montana host a variety of cause related marketing promotions inside and outside the restaurants.

Beyond these projects, our McDonald’s co-op is also supporting our Room in Your Heart Campaign for Expansion by donating a penny per pound of French fries sold at their restaurants. All of those donations will add up to a $100,000 contribution to our House!