Day of Change

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is ready to celebrate its annual Day of Change on Monday, Oct. 15, at all local McDonald’s Restaurants. This special day marks the opening of the very first Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia in 1974. RMHC Dayton invites individuals, businesses, and community groups to support families with critically-ill children by visiting their local McDonald’s on Oct. 15 to drop spare change into an RMHC Donation Box.

To celebrate Day of Change with the generous community, RMHC Dayton staff and volunteers are heading to three select locations from in the region for a special in-store celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.:

■ McDonald’s at 3157 Dayton Xenia in Beavercreek

■ McDonald’s at 530 E. National Rd. in Vandalia

■ McDonald’s at 6270 Far Hills Ave. in Centerville

McDonald’s customers who participate in Day of Change are encouraged to share photos and how they helped to support RMHC on social media using #DayOfChange and #forRMHC.

“Guests at Miami Valley McDonald’s restaurants gave $223,365 through the donation box program last year,” said RMHC Dayton CEO Rita Cyr. “Every little bit adds up to our mission of providing community, comfort, and hope for nearly 90 families each night when they’re far from home for their child’s medical care.”

If you are not able to make it to a McDonald’s on Day of Change, consider making an online donation at RMHCDayton.org/donate or collect change at your office, school or organization. Physical donations can be turned in or mailed to the Ronald McDonald House at 555 Valley St., Dayton, OH 45404.

Donations are even more important after the opening of RMHC Dayton’s Family Room programs — one inside Emmett’s Place at Miami Valley Hospital and another inside Dayton Children’s Hospital. RMHC Dayton now helps nearly 5,000 families annually, surpassing the 400 families a year served prior to the program expansion.