Latest news with #ShamrockSeason
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Area Ronald McDonald Houses to benfit from McDonald's Shamrock Shakes
KSN/KODE—For every McDonald's Shamrock Shake sold until March 23, money will be donated to Ronald McDonald Houses nationwide. Locally, the Ronald McDonald House of the Four States will also benefit from those who indulge in Shamrock Shakes. The Ronald McDonald House of the Four States is a 'home away from home' for the families of seriously ill children and ill expectant mothers being treated at Freeman Health System and Mercy Hospital Joplin. It is located at 3402 South Jackson in Joplin. The goal is to raise $5 million nationally, which could provide 50,000 overnight stays for families staying at Ronald McDonald Houses. The Ronald McDonald House of the Four States opened on July 27, 1998, and has served hundreds of families in the Four States area. A common misconception is that a Ronald McDonald House is owned or in some way funded by the McDonald Corporation. Each Ronald McDonald House is locally owned and operated. This Shamrock Season honors the fundraiser that helped open the first Ronald McDonald House over 50 years ago. 'We love knowing that local proceeds from our delicious, minty treat will help to support local Ronald McDonald Houses in keeping families together,' says Alex Maffei, second-generation McDonald's franchisee. 'A core value for us at McDonald's is Family. Together, with our crew, customers, and iconic McDonaldland character, Uncle O'Grimacey, we're all helping Ronald McDonald Houses make families feel at home, even when they can't be.' Ronald McDonald House of the Four States is part of the only worldwide service of its kind. The first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia in 1974. Fred and Fran Hill's daughter Kim was undergoing treatment for leukemia. During Kim's three years of treatment, the Hills grew tired of sleeping in the hospital waiting room and eating meals out of vending machines. Fred, a player for the Philadelphia Eagles at the time, rallied the support of his teammates and General Manager Jim Murray; Dr. Audrey Evans from The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; and local McDonald's franchisees to create Ronald McDonald House. More than 50 years later, there are more than 377 Ronald McDonald Houses in 45 countries and regions, and McDonald's franchisees and its customers have donated over $1 billion to Ronald McDonald Houses. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO STAY THERE? Families are asked to contribute $10 per night. If that is not possible, their stay is sponsored. . This 24-hour, 365-day-a-year program is operated by one full-time program manager, one part-time program coordinator, and 136 active adult and teen volunteers, as well as 16 junior volunteers and 16 special project volunteers. The House Manager oversees the day-to-day operation. Volunteers help with all aspects of the House, including housekeeping, providing support and services to families, performing night manager duties, preparing meals, and fundraising. All monies needed to operate the program are derived through individual and/or corporate donations. Ronald McDonald House is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization established as a 501c3. Donations are tax-deductible. Monthly operating costs average $26,900 per month. Click here for other ways to donate or get involved. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Uncle O'Grimacey has returned after a 40-year disappearance
Sláinte! After disappearing from the public eye for roughly 40 years, Grimace's Irish, green, Shamrock Shake-slinging uncle has returned to McDonald's. Uncle O'Grimacey, who was introduced as a McDonaldland character in 1975 to promote the Shamrock Shake, has reunited with his purple nephew 'for the first time in decades,' according to the company. 'This Shamrock Season celebration came to life when Grimace stumbled upon his family's original Shamrock Shake recipe,' McDonald's wrote in a press release. 'That discovery sparked Grimace to reconnect with his vibrant, joyful, and generous uncle, Uncle O'Grimacey.' So, to announce the return of the seasonal shake and celebrate the 50th year of Ronald McDonald House Charities, Uncle O came from Sham Rock, Ireland, to travel across the U.S. — starting in Studio 1A. For every Shamrock Shake purchased from Feb. 10 to March 23, McDonald's franchisees will donate 25 cents to RMHC. The goal is to raise $5 million, which could provide 50,000 overnight stays for families staying at RMHC programs, according to McDonald's. 'We are thrilled that proceeds from this minty treat will aid RMHC in keeping families together,' said Joy Silmon, a second-generation McDonald's franchisee, in the release. And, of course, there is merch involved — Uncle O-themed T-shirts, baseball caps and crewnecks are available for preorder now at — and McDonald's says it will make an additional donation to RMHC from these proceeds. Like his famous purple relative, Uncle O'Grimacey is a large anthropomorphic creature. We're not exactly sure what he is. His relatives, Grimace's Grandma Winky and aunts Millie and Tillie, hail from Grimace Island, but Uncle O lives in Sham Rock, Ireland. He has the important job of delivering his signature Shamrock Shakes around McDonaldland in honor of St. Patrick's Day. The Shamrock Shake debuted in 1970, and Uncle O debuted as its mascot five years later. For about a decade, he appeared regularly in McDonald's ads promoting his signature shake — until he slunk out of the spotlight in the mid-'80s. The most likely reason for this is that he was phased out along with many other McDonaldland characters, like Mayor McCheese, Birdie the Early Bird and Captain Crook, during the company's rebrand around that time (though there are far more controversial rumors about his disappearance). How long will he stick around this time? At least until March 23. After that, he'll likely return to his quiet life in Sham Rock. This article was originally published on
