Since opening its first House in Pennsylvania in 1974, Ronald McDonald Houses have helped more than 10 million families. These families have called a Ronald McDonald House a “home-away-from-home,” saving them over $120 million in housing and meal costs. Over $400 million in grants have been dedicated toward making an immediate, positive impact on those children who need our help most. More important, countless smiles have been shared, lives touched, and connections made. There are 212 Ronald McDonald Houses in 20 countries, with 6,000 bedrooms available for families. An amazing 30,000 volunteers donate one million hours annually, serving families during their children’s treatment. Be a clown’s best friend! Make a sick child and his or her family feel at home.

Ronald McDonald House Charities

One Kroc Drive

Oak Brook, IL 60523

Telephone: (630) 623-7048

Fax: (630) 623-7488

http://www.rmhc.com

Jimmy Murray, Ronald McDonald House 

“When you look at Jimmy Murray, you can see his heart in his smile. A round, affable Irishman from Philadelphia, his second love is athletics, but his first love has always been children. At one time, he thought of becoming a priest but was kicked out of seminary in 1956. After graduating from Villanova in 1960, Jimmy worked his way through a series of series of sports related positions with minor league baseball teams. In 1969, he hit the big time by beating out 127 other applicants for the position of assistant public information director with the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles. Eventually, owner Leonard Tose would promote him up through the ranks to General Manager.

During his first season managing the Eagles, Jimmy received a challenge that would change his life, and it had nothing whatsoever to do with sports. A new recruit from USC, tight end Fred Hill, approached Jimmy with a problem. His bright, bouncy, three-year-old daughter Kimberly had just been diagnosed with leukemia. Fred had met with Dr. Audrey Evans, head of pediatric oncology at Philadelphia’s Children’s Hospital, a national cancer-research center. She had a long list of necessities required to get their children’s cancer center up to standard. Hill needed his football team’s help to fight the disease before it got a chance to take his daughter’s life…”