Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga announces the “Day of Change” campaign on June 28, from 7-10:30 a.m. at area McDonald’s and Regions Banks, to encourage people to donate their extra change to help families with critically ill or injured children.
Dozens of local celebrity volunteers will be on hand at various locations urging customers to donate their dime, quarter, nickel or penny: including members of the Chattanooga Fire Department, Dalton Fire Department, Catoosa County Fire Department, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Coaches Russ Huesman, Will Wade, Bill Gautier, Sugar Mocs, various mayors and city officials and many more. Ronald McDonald will also stop by four of the McDonald’s locations (Third Street; 7 a.m., Amnicola Hwy.; 7:45 a.m., Lee Hwy.; 8:30 a.m. and Ringgold Road; 10 a.m.) to greet customers.
The RMHC Day of Change is a great opportunity to show the importance of giving back and how even the smallest gesture goes a long way to helping those in need. Locally, the Chattanooga Times Free Press, Regions Bank, CAT Country 95.3 FM, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee have partnered with area McDonald's to participate.For Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) it all started with one: one child who needed health care, one family who hoped to stay nearby and one community who came together to build the first Ronald McDonald House®. And, just one penny can make a difference today in the lives of children and families.
Last year alone, this one day effort to collect spare change raised more than $17,000 locally. These funds help support programs at Chattanooga Ronald McDonald House that improve the health and well-being of children. One of these cornerstone programs is the Ronald McDonald House, a “home away from home,” for up to 600 families with critically ill children per year; a place of comfort that allows families to give 100 percent of their time to their children so they can heal faster and cope better. In fact, one full Donation Box could provide a safe place to stay in a Ronald McDonald House for up to one night.
“This effort is designed to raise awareness for the RMHC Donation Box program and inspire greater giving throughout the year by sharing with the Greater Chattanooga community, our history and how community support helps impact the lives of those we serve.” said Jane Kaylor, President and CEO, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga. “We are very thankful for the generosity of people who help to support families through our programs by donating their change all year long."