McDonald’s Celebrates Anniversaries of Boston and Providence Ronald McDonald Houses with a HURRAH!

Online Video Contest Invites Kids to do Random Act of Happiness; Winning Child to Throw Out Ceremonial First Pitch at Fenway Park

The Ronald McDonald Houses in Providence and Boston, which provide a home away from home for families who have a sick child being treated at a nearby hospital, are both celebrating special anniversaries this year. The Boston House is turning 30 and the Providence House is turning 20. To celebrate these birthdays, the local McDonald’s owner/operators are holding a special HURRAH video contest for kids. Children in Eastern New England are invited to make someone happy with a HURRAH, or a Heartfelt, Unforgettable, Rallying, Random Act of Happiness, and have their parent share their act of happiness on video by submitting it to the Contest.

“Since its opening in 1979, the Ronald McDonald House® in Boston has helped thousands of children with cancer and their families at a minimal cost and with much support,” said Andrew Richards, Co-Executive Director of the Ronald McDonald House in Boston. “We couldn’t have done this for so long without the help of our countless volunteers who take time out of their lives to share a smile, help cook a meal, or just be there when someone needs a shoulder to lean on.”

One HURRAH participant will be chosen as the winner of a Fenway Prize Pack and Happy Meals for one year**. The winner will also get to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park in the spring before a Red Sox game, and be honored as the HURRAH Ambassador on the field.

For official rules and instructions on how to enter, please visit www.mcstate.com/hurrah.

Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) of Eastern New England helps support the Ronald McDonald Houses in Boston and Providence, in addition to other great local non-profit organizations that help children and families. RMHC of Eastern New England was organized over 20 years ago to improve the lives of children by providing financial support to organizations serving children and families through health care, education and social service. Since it was organized, RMHC of Eastern New England has given over $17 million to more than 1,000 non-profit organizations and programs helping thousands of children and families throughout Eastern New England. RMHC of Eastern New England also provides on-going support to two Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles in Worcester and Rhode Island which provide care to children with unmet healthcare needs.

©2009 McDonald’s

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Internet access and email required. Good only in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island. Child must be ages 6 – 12 and entered by parent/legal guardian . Void where prohibited. Contest ends 4/24/09. Ceremonial first pitch part of prize, subject to availability.

**Happy Meals for a year prize to be awarded as $500 in McDonald’s Arch Cards. McDonald’s Arch Cards are subject to terms/conditions of use, do not expire and may be used toward the purchase of any food or beverage product at any participating McDonald’s restaurant in the US.

Contacts

Bishoff Communications
Sarah Grazier, 617-573-0076
sgrazier {at} bishoffcommunications(.)com