Happy Halloween!

Peck Family Poster

Walk into any McDonald’s across Oregon and Southwest Washington, and you’ll see an in-store display featuring the Peck Family from Coos Bay, who stayed at the Ronald McDonald House East in Portland in 2008.

The family is featured in a campaign to spotlight the support McDonald’s customers provide to Ronald McDonald House Charities by purchasing items on the McCafe menu, such as coffees, espressos, and the new frappes which debuted this summer. Started by local owner/operators as a way to support families at the Ronald McDonald House, the McCafe campaign is an ongoing fundraiser that has raised almost $250,000 since it launched in 2008.

The Peck family visited the McDonald’s restaurant in North Bend last Friday to meet with the media, and help promote the campaign. McDonald’s Owner/Operator Rod Somerville was also on hand to answer questions. The generous staff at the restaurant provided the family with complimentary drinks, and a double helping of chicken nuggets for eight year old Isabelle.

Watch Hannah Olsen’s report for KMTR TV in Eugene.

Read Hannah Olsen’s story for KMTR TV.

Read Alice Campbell’s article in the Coos Bay World.

Watch Erica Rush’s report for KCBY TV.

Crew and staff at the North Bend McDonald's

Watch the Peck Family video on YouTube.

Families from the Ronald McDonald House watched the Blazers opener on Tuesday night against the Phoenix Suns from a donated suite at the Rose Garden. For some of the families, it was their first Blazers game, which the home team won 106-92. The kids got really excited when Ronald McDonald made a special appearance on the court during the game. The Blazers are ongoing partners with Ronald McDonald House Charities, supporting special events, adopting a room, and providing tickets throughout the season. Thank you Blazers!

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington awarded $121,000 in Outreach grants this year to community-based charitable organizations that expand access to children’s oral healthcare.

In 2009, RMHC helped provide access to care for 9,869 children who might not have received treatment otherwise. This year’s grant recipients were approved at a meeting of the Board of Trustees in September after RMHC’s Outreach Committee had made its recommendations. The funds come from a portion of the contributions to Donation Boxes in McDonald’s restaurants and matching grants from RMHC Global.

Clark County Children's Dental Health Day

This year’s recipients include:

Boys & Girls Club of Corvallis  – $6,000
Children served: 300

The Dental Foundation of Oregon – $10,000
Children served: 4,000

Free Clinic of SW Washington – $20,000
Children Served: 1,250

Medical Teams International – $60,000
Children served: 1,800

Virginia Garcia Memorial Foundation – $20,000
Children served: 5,600

Clark County Dental Society Children’s Dental Health Day – $5,000
Children served: 300

Visit rmhcoregon.org for more information about these programs, and the grant application process.

If you haven’t received our October eNewsletter, you can read it online here, with all the latest updates and important news from Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Sign up to receive our eNews every two months directly to your inbox by clicking here!

Thank you to the employees from Simpson Property Group, who spent all day at the East House on Tuesday, doing maintenance work and other special projects like pressure washing and gutter-cleaning. All of the staff at the Ronald McDonald House appreciate your support!

Congratulations to RMHC of Metro St. Louis, which opened the world’s 300th Ronald McDonald House in St. Louis, Missouri on September 29th. The new house joins 171 others in the United States, 77 in Europe, 12 in Canada, 14 in Latin America, and 26 throughout Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa to create a worldwide network where families can receive comfort and support while their children receive treatment at nearby hospitals.

Click here to view a photo gallery of the St. Louis house opening.

Our sincere thanks to the Clarkson Family who returned to Portland for a special visit to coincide with our Auction on September 24 at the Portland Art Museum. The family stayed at the Ronald McDonald House East for 135 days in 2009 and 2010, and was the focus of the special appeal video shown during the event. Dad Casey Clarkson, along with mom Chasity, and baby Maddie attended the auction, and shared their personal experience at the Ronald McDonald House with those in the audience. Watch the Clarkson family video below.