Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas (RMHCA) will celebrate its 40th Birthday on Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas was officially designated a chapter 40 years ago on Nov. 25, 1981. RMHCA will celebrate this momentous occasion with a 40th birthday bash at the 2022 Chocolate Fantasy Ball, chaired by Susie Morgan. The Charities will also honor the McDonald’s ArkLaTx Co-op owners for 40 years of support at the event.
“We couldn’t be more thankful this year than to celebrate our 40th birthday on Thanksgiving!” said Janell Mason, executive director of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas (RMHCA). “Our Ronald McDonald House was the 27th House, and now there are 381 Houses worldwide.”
The original eight-bedroom House opened as Parents and Friends of Children in 1979. Two years later, the local McDonald’s co-op stepped in to help create a Ronald McDonald House in Arkansas. After two expansions and outgrowing the first House, the current 32-bedroom House opened in 2016 to provide a home-away-from-home to more than 1,200 families each year.
Since 1981, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas continues to play a unique role as a children’s charity by enabling, supporting and facilitating family-centered care. The Ronald McDonald House, located on the campus of Arkansas Children’s hospital and in close proximity to the neonatal intensive care units (NICU) at UAMS and Baptist Health Medical Center, allows parents who are far from home to stay close to their hospitalized child and benefit from the comforts of home without incurring hotel and food costs. The Ronald McDonald Family Room at UAMS offers a quiet respite for all NICU families right in the hospital. And the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile brings comprehensive dental care to children in underserved communities. All programs are provided free of charge.
“It will be a memorable night of celebration for all of our guests,” said Mason.
For more information on the 2022 Chocolate Fantasy Ball and ways to help celebrate 40 Years of RMHCA, visit www.rmhcarkansas.org.
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