Whom You Know: THE FIRST HOUSE THAT LOVE BUILT™ TURNS THIRTY-FIVE Celebrations planned to mark anniversary of the first Ronald McDonald House® in the world

Thursday, September 24, 2009

THE FIRST HOUSE THAT LOVE BUILT™ TURNS THIRTY-FIVE Celebrations planned to mark anniversary of the first Ronald McDonald House® in the world

It started in 1974 with a simple idea – children need their parents close by when they are battling serious illness. From this premise, the first Ronald McDonald House was born on October 15, 1974. (Today there are more than 288 houses worldwide) To mark this historic occasion, a celebration will be held on October 15, 2009, from 6-10 AM at 39th and Chestnut Streets in Philadelphia to honor the impact the House has had on families around the country. In these tough economic times the RMD house is more important than ever. Many families would have to sleep in their cars or be unable to have their children treated at hospitals far away from home, without the shelter and food provided by the House. There are families at the Philadelphia House alone who have stayed more than 160 consecutives nights.

The Ronald McDonald House co-founders including former Philadelphia Eagles player Fred Hill, former Eagles General Manager Jimmy Murray, pediatric oncologist Dr. Audrey Evans, (who provided the original idea and the Eagles the seed money) families and staff who were there at the beginning (as well as children currently staying at the house) will gather to bake a giant cake in thirty-five pieces in the shape of the first House (the Swain Mansion). After “Happy Birthday” has been sung and the candles blown out, the cake will be taken to Philadelphia regional hospitals and shared with children in treatment.

The House will also be unveiling an art display created by the children (both patients and their siblings) who have stayed at the House over the years. Children were asked to share happy moments of their time spent in this “home away from home.” The artwork can be viewed until the end of the month and proceeds from sale of the artwork will benefit the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House Chapter.

Since opening its doors in 1974, the Philadelphia House has served 30,000 families helping provide comfort and care during a tragic time in their lives. More than 2,200 meals have been served by countless volunteers and over 41,000 trips have been made to and from area hospitals in donated vans so children can have access to the hospitals and treatments they need to heal. In honor of those milestones and the thousands of companies who have cooked during the Guest Chef program, representatives from global partners Coca-Cola and Southwest Airlines will be on hand to prepare dinner.

The Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House has also been chosen to carry the Olympic torch along its route this December as it makes its way toward the 2010 Vancouver winter games.

The Story Behind the First House

Throughout her career, world-renowned oncologist Dr. Audrey Evans watched families spend every waking moment at their child’s bedside in the hospital. And in the early 1970’s the Philadelphia Eagles were helping to raise funds to help a little girl named Kim Hill who had just been diagnosed with leukemia. Kim was the daughter of Eagles player Fred Hill and his wife Fran and the couple was sleeping in chairs in their daughter’s hospital room to be close to her while she was receiving treatment.
Through the Eagles’ fundraising, the team’s General Manager Jimmy Murray got to know Dr. Evans. She shared her vision to provide a “home away from home” for families of children being treated at nearby hospitals. At the time, McDonald’s® Regional Manager Ed Rensi agreed to support a fundraiser to raise money for what would become known as the Ronald McDonald House. McDonald’s restaurants gave a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the famous McDonald’s Shamrock Shake.

This one House has grown into a worldwide network of support for children and families through Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) and today there are 288 Ronald McDonald Houses; 144 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms; and 38 Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles across 52 countries and regions.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities, a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Its programs are grassroots-driven to enable the Charity to offer help where children need it most – right in their own communities. RMHC® makes an immediate, positive impact on children's lives through its global network of local Chapters in 52 countries and its three core programs: the Ronald McDonald House®, Ronald McDonald Family Room® and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®. These programs provide a bridge to accessible health care and allow families more time together, which help in the healing process. RMHC and its global network of local Chapters also have awarded more than $460 million in grants and program services to children's programs around the world. For more information, visit www.rmhc.org.

Recent Testimonials by Brand Ambassadors on their Experience with Whom You Know

"I work with Peachy Deegan because she's prolific at what she does. She's a hard worker, she's thoughtful and she's tasteful at what she writes which is very important. Peachy gets the facts correct, and just that alone is worth its weight in gold."

-Edward Tricomi, Master Stylist and Owner of Warren-Tricomi
https://warrentricomi.com/

"No one has yet to express their taste for our cuisine better than Peachy Deegan on Whom You Know. Thank you for transforming our flavor into words, unlike any other before.
Sometimes WHOM YOU KNOW, really makes a difference and Ammos Estiatorio is grateful to know Peachy Deegan!"
-
Dimitris Nakos, Founder and Owner of
Ammos Estiatorio
https://ammosnewyork.com/

“Whom You Know has done an amazing job of featuring our company over many years [seven]. Peachy has worked tirelessly to create a well-curated selection of topics and brands that are clearly of relevance to her growing audience of readers. Her articles are filled with great insights based on first-hand experience. She does her research, knows her business and is a pleasure to work with!”

-David Sasuga, Owner of Fresh Origins Microgreens
www.FreshOrigins.com

"Peachy Deegan has the pulse of the nation and highlights exceptional opinion leaders in more than 23,000 inspiring and entertaining posts. Her 100,000 twitter followers are a true testimony to Peachy’s ability to inspire, motivate and entertain. She is a feminine force to be reckoned with and an exemplary example of an influential voice in today’s world."

-Mica Mosbacher, author of the new book The Hurricane Factor: Stormside Patriots and tv political commentator

"It was an honour to be chosen for Movers and Shakers by Peachy Deegan. The questions in the interview were intelligent and insightful and I thoroughly enjoyed answering them. The reaction to the interview has been overwhelmingly positive and has helped bring my art practice to a wider audience."
-Damien Flood, Internationally Acclaimed Artist
http://www.damienflood.ie/

"We were so fortunate to hit Peachy’s radar. Her review of our Warmies was spot-on and came at a great time in our company’s early history.
Peachy has such a strong relationship with her readers. She provides honest and real comments; she is truly a trusted source in a very large circle
of consumers."
-Scott Wehrs
President
Intelex U.S.A.
http://www.intelexusallc.com/

"We at Primola love working with Whom You Know and are proud to have been a highly-ranked Manhattan restaurant by Peachy Deegan since 2012, and are featured seasonally. We appreciate the fantastic work Peachy does highlighting our cuisine with her sublime writing style and the whole neighborhood of the Upper East side. Also, we are glad that she has started a Made in Italy column! If you have the opportunity to be considered for review, we'd highly recommend working with her."
-Giuliano Zuliani, Owner of Primola Restaurant
https://www.facebook.com/Primola-Canaletto-restaurants-NYC-135616799831091

"
Peachy Deegan is a gem. She is wonderful to feature our Irish brands in 'Whom You Know'! The articles are beautifully and passionately presented, bringing products and brands to life, making both relevant and fun for her many faithful followers to read. I am immensely proud for our hand-crafted products to be included in this venue!"

-
Bill Follett
President, Belleek Group North America
www.Belleek.com

"As you know from my past features, Peachy Deegan and I were in the same class at Boston College prior to either of us becoming entrepreneurs. When we played together on the BC Alumni softball team in Central Park years ago, she mentioned she could not find a great dentist in Manhattan and could often be found networking on her phone in the outfield hiding from the ball. She was my second patient ever in 2006 when I opened my dental practice; I was one of the first sponsors on Whom You Know and the first Mover and Shaker featured in 2009 and have worked with her continuously since. She's even talked her friends that are doctors into being my patients, and they subsequently send their hospital colleagues. I don't know anyone that is as great of a networker and writer as Peachy, nevermind that she is upstanding and always good for her word. Cosmopolitan Dental is so happy to be in the company of the caliber of major brands she works with today, and although she will tell you a million ways to get your teeth dirty between Peachy's Picks, Terrific Takeout and Peachy's Pantry, Peachy Deegan will tell you there is only one way to get your teeth clean!"
-Dr. Garo Nazarian, Founder and Owner of Cosmopolitan Dental
http://cosmopolitandental.com/