Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
Small change makes a tremendous impact to help local families
Reading time: 4 minutes
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People who’ve rounded up their orders at Alabama McDonald’s locations have raised over $1.1 million to help their neighbors this year.
While the choice amounts to pocket change for you, Round-Up for RMHC (Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama) adds up dramatically to help local families when they need it most, keeping them together when they have a sick or injured child in local Birmingham hospitals.
Read on to learn how you can bring awareness to the Ronald McDonald House mission with Day of Change & Gratitude on October 17.
Receiving help now: Meet S.J. + his family
Since late January of this year, two-year-old Sawyer John “S.J.” Gowen, a.k.a “Bubba,” of Mumford, has been here in Birmingham at Children’s of Alabama.
His parents, Sawyer and Darby, initially brought him to the hospital after he’d contracted COVID-19 and was not successfully recovering despite multiple doctor visits back home.
Darby says doctors at Children’s suspected S.J. had developed Kawasaki disease, a rare and acute inflammatory response that can affect young children. As his diagnostic test concluded, he went into cardiac arrest for over an hour.
While doctors revived him and ultimately confirmed the initial diagnosis, S.J. must stay at the hospital while he awaits a transplant.
Why your change matters
Since March, the Gowens have relied on Birmingham’s Ronald McDonald House as a home away from home.
“You get to know some of the families here, and if you had a rough day, they get it. Their kids are in the hospital just like yours. We do not have to worry about a meal at night—it’s already cooked, and we don’t have to stress about how we are going to pay for it. It brings a lot of peace to us.”
Darby Gowen
S.J.’s twin sister, Charlie, alternates between her grandparents’ homes during the day. Sawyer is with her most nights as he continues to commute for work.
The arrangement would not have been possible without the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama.
How McDonald’s helps
Each year, $4 million must be raised to fulfill RMHC of Alabama’s mission, and 30% of that comes from the partnership with McDonald’s.
Here’s how:
👛 Through the ongoing Round-Up for RMHC, customers donate change by rounding up their orders to the next dollar.
🍟 Owner/operators donate a penny for every Happy Meal + pound of fries sold + promos like the Shamrock Shake.
💰 This year, 179 Alabama McDonald’s have raised $1.1 million.
Giving thanks every October
The first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia in October of 1974, and RMHC organizations nationwide will celebrate the anniversary on Oct. 17.
“Day of Change & Gratitude is about celebrating the start of our partnership with McDonald’s, our founding and forever mission partner. We are so grateful for what the local owner/operators, restaurant crews and customers do to make sure our mission continues. They have a heart for community and families, and it shows in everything they do.”
Stephanie Langford, RMHC of Alabama Director of Marketing & Communications
What can you do? Swing through McDonald’s, round up your order and thank a crew member! Plan to celebrate with your local Ronald McDonald House on Oct. 17 by wearing an RMHC shirt. Snap a picture and let them know you care by tagging @rmhcalabama.
👕 Bonus: Between Sept. 19 and Oct. 3, you can upload a receipt showing you rounded up at an Alabama McDonald’s + receive a free t-shirt (while supplies last)!
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