Latest news with #RonaldMcDonaldHouse
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
McDonald's to celebrate Customer Appreciation Day
FARMINGTON, N.Y. (WROC) – McDonald's in Farmington will celebrate Customer Appreciation Day on Tuesday to recognize the community's support. McDonald's raises close to $4,000 in Round Up for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester every month, and won the Round Up Challenge in March. Those who attend the celebration will get a chance to spin a wheel to win prizes, take part in giveaways and raffles, and more. The event will be held at the McDonald's location on Route 96 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBC
2 days ago
- General
- CBC
#TheMoment a Canadian woman walked 99 laps for her 99th birthday
Joan Thomlinson from Cambridge, Ont., celebrated 99 years around the sun with 99 laps around the track at her retirement home, raising more than $3,000 for Ronald McDonald House.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Indy Vet House, a godsend for veterans
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WTWO-WAWV) — During the month of may, we've had numerous stories related to the Indianapolis 500. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is definitely the center of attention for the state, because of that, a lot of groups set up at the track to get attention. That included a unique organization that provides an important service to veterans. It's called Indy Vet House. It's similar to a Ronald McDonald House. The Indy Vet House provides comfort, convenience and so much more to veterans and their Vet House is located on North Cold Spring Road in Indianapolis and features 28 fully furnished guest suites with private wheelchair accessible bathrooms, kitchen, laundry and moreVeterans and their loved ones who reside 50 miles or more from the VA medical center areeligible to stay at the house free of charge. There is no cost to the veteran or family to stay at the house. It was built by a generous donation from the Lilly Endowment and other donations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CTV News
2 days ago
- General
- CTV News
A tradition of giving back: 99-year-old Cambridge woman walks 99 laps for charity
It may be Joan's birthday, but she's the one giving a gift. CTV's Karis Mapp how a 99-year-old woman is raising money for charity. A senior from Cambridge isn't letting age stop her from taking steps to help families in need. Joan Thomlinson turned 99-years-old in March, but she was the one who wanted to give a gift. She decided to walk 99 laps around the outdoor walking track at her home, Seasons Cambridge Retirement Community, to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities Toronto and Ronald McDonald House Charities South Central Ontario. The trek has become a bit of a tradition for Thomlinson. In 2023, she walked 97 laps and raised $1,600 and over 200 lbs. of food for the Cambridge Food Bank. Last year, she walked 98 laps and ziplined over Niagara Falls, raising $7,000 for the SickKids Foundation. 'There was a gentleman in London, England. He walked 100 times around his garden for his 100th birthday and I thought if he can do it, I can do it,' Thomlinson said. Joan Thomlinson 99 laps Cambridge, Ont. Joan Thomlinson, 99, finished her campaign to walk 99 laps in Cambridge, Ont. on May 30, 2025. (Karis Mapp/CTV News) For the people who know Thomlinson, they said this is just one small part of her generous spirit. She is also a member of the volunteer-driven 'Seniorosity Team' at Seasons Cambridge, a group dedicated to giving back by fundraising or doing random acts of kindness. 'Joan has been doing initiatives like this since she's been here with Seasons,' Matt Lehnen, General Manager for Seasons Retirement Communities Cambridge, said. 'She's truly an inspiration. Whether it's zip lining for her 98th [birthday] or now handing out Happy Meals and doing 99 laps for her 99th, we're always here to support her and to learn more and help her initiatives grow.' Joan Thomlinson 99 laps for charity, Cambridge, Ont. Joan Thomlinson sat in front a two large silver '99' balloons in Cambridge, Ont. on May 30, 2025. (Karis Mapp/CTV News) Thomlinson decided to do her walk in May when the weather was nicer, instead of taking her chances in March. Before she laced up her shoes, she got a chance to tour the Ronald McDonald House in Hamilton to see how much her help meant to the families who use the service. 'The best part of fundraising for the Ronald McDonald House is family helping families,' Meaghan Moore, Director of Programs and External Relations at Ronald McDonald House Charities South Central Ontario said. 'We're called the Ronald McDonald House, people think we're rolling in McDonalds money, I promise you we're not. We have amazing partners but really, it's fundraisers that help us down the road at McDonalds. So, walks like this or lemonade stands or corporate fundraisers that really help support the Ronald McDonald House.' Ronald McDonald House Charities help children facing chronic or life-threatening illnesses by giving them and their families a place to stay close to where they receive treatment. The 40-bedroom facility in Hamilton is just steps away from McMaster Children's Hospital. A family who used the service was on hand to celebrate Thomlinson's accomplishments. 'In 2023, our youngest son here, Wade, was diagnosed with leukemia,' Nichole Fink, a Cambridge resident, explained. 'We were taken to McMaster Hospital, which obviously is about an hour away from home. We stayed at the Ronald McDonald House for what ended up being over 30 nights throughout his treatment.' Fink said Thomlinson's efforts mean an incredible amount to the families staying at Ronald McDonald House. 'I'm glad she's doing this. I'm glad so many people have turned out to support her. Ninety-nine laps and 99 years is such a huge accomplishment and I'm glad that this is the charity that she's chosen to support today,' Fink said. Joan Thomlinson and Wade Fink's family, 99 laps charity, Cmabridge Joan Thomlinson sat with Nichole Fink's family, including Wade, who stayed at a Ronald McDonald House in Hamilton when Wade was diagnosed with leukemia. (Karis Mapp/CTV News) Thomlinson said she felt honoured by the experience and hoped she encouraged others to keep moving and help the community. 'As my dad always said, make the world a better place than when you arrived in it,' she said. 'I live by that. It's a good way to be.'
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
London's Ronald McDonald House plans to double in size thanks to $1.7M donation on 40th Anniversary
Ronald McDonald House in London has announced plans to expand in the wake of a $1.7 million donation. Ronald McDonald House in London has announced plans to expand in the wake of a $1.7 million donation. Ronald McDonald House in London has announced plans to expand in the wake of a significant donation. The declaration coincides with the 40th anniversary of the facility, located next to Children's Hospital on Baseline Road East. 'This is a transformative gift of over $1.7 million,' said Matthew Chater, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities Southwestern Ontario. The money comes from the estate of the late Lorie and Don Hoad, who gave no reason in their will for the donation, beyond fondly remembering date nights at McDonald's. Ronald McDonald House Donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities Southwestern Ontario in London, Ont., on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London) As the cheque was unveiled Thursday afternoon, those gathered learned Ronald McDonald house plans to double in size in the coming years. Chater said the expansion is needed as nearly 500 families, with children battling life-threatening and long-term illnesses, were turned away in 2024. 'We've really cast a vision to expand our facility, to double in size from our current 40 bedrooms here in London to 80 bedrooms,' said Chater. 'And so we're continuing to work with our health care partners, as well as our incredible architect team, to really bring that vision to life.' Michael Conrad, a parent of an infant child receiving treatment at a Children's Hospital, attended the anniversary celebration. RMHC Ronald McDonald House in London, Ont., on Thursday, May 29, 2025. (Sean Irvine/CTV News London) He told CTV News London he did so to thank staff for the support he and his two older children have received since they arrived. The family home is in Sauble Beach, Ont. 'We've been here since her birth, so that's been nine days now, and it's been helpful. You never really think about these places until you need them. And then, I'll be honest, you have to start counting your blessings that they're there, especially when we were told we might be here for a while.' A cost estimate or capital campaign to support the expansion of Ronald McDonald House, beyond Thursday's donation, has yet to be announced. Organizers said while the $1.7 million donation is the catalyst to start the building campaign, more donations will be needed through community support.
