Have you seen those donation boxes at McDonald’s restaurants? Almost $600,000 a year is raised for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Outstate Michigan this way. That sure is a lot of change.
RMHC of Outstate Michigan will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2013. Many people believe RMHC of Outstate Michigan only supports the Ronald McDonald Houses, but that’s only a part of what they do. Since the charity began, they’ve awarded nearly $7 million in grants to approximately 350 nonprofit organizations supporting children’s causes throughout 58 counties in Michigan.
“The money people put in the donation boxes goes right back out to the community,” says Lesa Dion, executive director of RMHC of Outstate Michigan.
Four years ago, the organization also began awarding college scholarships. Now, each year, RMHC of Outstate Michigan awards 10 high school seniors with an $8,000 four-year scholarship. So far, they have awarded $320,000.
While financial need and academic achievement need to be demonstrated, the reviewers look for a student’s community involvement too.
“We like to see that they’re giving back, because we give back,” Dion says, adding that the students who earn the scholarships are “the cream of the crop, unbelievable kids.”
While grants to nonprofit organizations and the scholarships make up part of the charity’s budget, the Ronald McDonald Houses also rely on them for some funding.
There are more than 300 Ronald McDonald Houses around the world and each one is designed to be a home away from home for families who have a child receiving medical care.
The Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan opened in Grand Rapids in 1990 and serves more than 450 families each year. It has 17 bedrooms, many common areas and a playground for the children.
RMHC of Outstate Michigan has awarded the Ronald McDonald House in Western Michigan and the one in Lansing, the Ronald McDonald House in Mid-Michigan, nearly $700,000 in grants since 2007. The houses each do their own fundraising as well.
A $20,000 grant was also recently awarded to Arbor Circle’s The Bridge, which provides housing and development services to runaways and homeless youths. The money went toward an interior makeover of the 30-year-old facility, including the painting of the shelter’s seven rooms and new furniture and household items. The teenagers currently living at the house helped paint the rooms and decorate, learning valuable skills in the process.
Arbor Circle’s The Bridge is only one of several nonprofit organizations to receive a grant from RMHC of Outstate Michigan this year. Any children’s organization can apply for a grant, in any amount, as long as they are tax exempt and serve children under the age of 18. The board meets four times a year to review applications and typically awards around $100-200,000 each time, with an average grant of $10-30,000.
RMHC of Outstate Michigan’s board awards grants that go directly toward changing the lives of children. With each application, Dion says they ask, “How is this going to affect the health and well-being of a child?”
If you would like to help Ronald McDonald House Charities of Outstate Michigan continue to give back to our community and change the lives of children, here are some ways you can get involved:
- Visit
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Outstate Michigan online to find out more.
- Donate
online or by putting your change in the donation boxes at local participating McDonald’s restaurants.
-
Volunteer your time at the Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan. They’re always looking for people to help prepare the rooms, welcome the guests, cook meals, make cookies and drive guests to and from the hospital.
- Like the Ronald McDonald House Charities on
Facebook.
Source: Lesa Dion, Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Outstate Michigan
Writer: Heidi Stukkie, Do Good Editor
Photos provided by Ronald McDonald House Charities of Outstate Michigan.
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