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Tag: Ronald McDonald House

  • On Our Island: Long Island community projects highlight local impact | Long Island Business News

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    warms The Museum of American Armor

    Recognizing the efforts of National Grid’s Customer Gas Connections/Customer Sales and Solutions Team to ensure reliable heating within the new storage facility at The Museum of American Armor inside Old Bethpage Village Restoration, members of the team were provided a trip back in time in one of the museum’s World War II halftracks.

    Included were (left to right): Brian Romano, field inspector; Bob Allgor, account manager; the Armor Museum’s Colonel Jason Halloren (Ret.); Nick Delgado, technician; Luis Escalera, CMS technician; and Anthony Azzato, foreman. They were joined by Wendy Frigeria, National Grid’s strategic communications manager.

    The company’s senior supervisor Vasilis Xikis also played a significant role in securing the project.

     

    brings winter cheer to Brooklyn seniors

    Courtesy of Forte Construction

    Forte Construction completed its third philanthropic initiative of the inaugural year of its Mission Series with a visit to a senior center in Gravesend, Brooklyn, where winter essentials were distributed to residents.

    The Mission Series was developed to create meaningful connections between Forte employees and the communities they serve through hands-on engagement. Each quarter, a designated project team chooses a cause and participates directly, helping to make a lasting positive impact in the community.

    The project team chose to aid the Ahi Ezer Kings Highway Center. This was due to its proximity to the Kings Highway MTA Subway station on the F line, where Forte is currently working with Halmar International to install new elevators improving accessibility for those with mobility issues.

     

    ‘Misfit Island’ creators donate $14K to

    Courtesy of Ronald McDonald House New York Metro

    East Northport resident Andrew Reid presented a check to Ronald McDonald House New York Metro, raised from donors who visited his “Misfit Island” lights display over the December 2025 holiday season.

    Each year, Reid transforms his family’s East Northport home into a lighted winter wonderland with more than 500 restored holiday decorations.

    The light display is comprised of discarded and broken holiday decorations Reid and his siblings find throughout their East Northport neighborhood. He then stores and fixes the decorations all year long and begins installing them in August, in time for a December unveiling.

     

    Nassau Legislator Drucker speaks at middle school’s

    Courtesy of Deputy Minority Leader Arnold Drucker

    Nassau County Legislature Deputy Minority Leader Arnold Drucker visited Plainview’s H. B. Mattlin Middle School to participate in the school’s annual career day. During the event, Drucker spoke to students about his work as an attorney and how it helps guide his advocacy for constituents as a Nassau County legislator.

    “I loved sharing my journey with these bright young minds. Seeing them light up is the best part – they are our future leaders, innovators and change-makers,” Drucker said in a written statement. “Thank you to career workshop adviser Susan Epstein for inviting me and pairing me with her husband Harvey – we made a great team!”

     


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    LIBN Staff

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  • On Our Island: Long Island nonprofits, schools and businesses in the news | Long Island Business News

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    opens at NHP

    Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro celebrated the grand opening of its newly renovated third-floor lounge at the Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The renovation was made possible through a $125,000 gift from the Giannola family, who was honored at the ‘s 2023 Gala celebration.

    The redesigned lounge serves as one of several common areas within the 50,000-square-foot house, where families can rest, work remotely, play video games, or unwind after spending time at nearby Cohen Children’s Medical Center.

    Designed by Margreet Cevasco of Cevasco Design Inc., the space features a calming color palette accented with textured wallpaper, lush fabrics and upholstery, contemporary décor and warm lighting.

     

    Zucker School students transform to healthcare professionals

    Courtesy of at Hofstra/Northwell

    Family, friends and faculty gathered at the grand ballroom at the Long Island Marriott as 106 first-year medical students from the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell marked their transformation from medical students to healthcare professionals at the 15th annual .

    Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell also requires its students to complete emergency medical training (EMT) and achieve certification. This facilitates medical students to learn vital hands-on skills through rotations on Northwell ambulances and in mass casualty incident simulations at the Nassau County Fire Service Academy.

    Dr. John D’Angelo, president and CEO of Northwell Health and professor of emergency medicine at the Zucker School, delivered the keynote address.

     

    East Islip restaurant holds fundraiser for breast cancer research

    Courtesy of Jackson Hall American Bar & Grille

    As a tribute to overcoming his battle with male breast cancer, Michael Landesberg, executive chef of Jackson Hall American Bar & Grille, held his annual “All Boobs Matter,” fundraiser this week at the East Islip restaurant.

    More than 40 volunteers and 50 restaurant staff members donated their time toward the fundraiser organizing seating, raffles and numerous prizes. According to Landesberg, who is awaiting final fundraising numbers, he was able to surpass his $50,000 goal—all of which will be donated to the West Islip Breast Cancer Coalition.

    Various local politicians and celebrity foodies, such as influencer Al Fenza, came to support Landesberg and his family for a cause that’s very dear to him.

    “I urge everybody to get checked, get your yearly mammograms, and men let’s break the stigma,” he shared. “Let’s put the odds back on our side, and start being aware that we have breasts, too!

     

    introduces Dog ATMs at East Meadow branch

    Courtesy of TD Bank

    This past weekend, TD Bank introduced the first at its East Meadow branch, following last year’s successful debut in Philadelphia, which cemented TD’s spot as the first and only bank to design ATMs with paws in mind.

    Featuring a puppy paw mat with a motion detector that automatically dispenses free dog biscuits, the ATM has dog-friendly audio that “talks” to pups, making it an interactive and highly visual experience. TD’s patented design highlights the bank’s commitment to fresh, unexpected experiences for its customers.

    The installation is among 14 new Dog ATMs being introduced this year across TD’s Maine-to-Florida footprint, all located at high-traffic stores that have been recently renovated.

     

    PLEASE EMAIL RELEASES AND HIGH-RESOLUTION PHOTOS TO [email protected]


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    LIBN Staff

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  • Ronald McDonald House seeks designers for Stony Brook project | Long Island Business News

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    THE BLUEPRINT:

    • Designers invited to apply for

    • campaign modeled after 2013 New Hyde Park success

    • New 60,000-sq-ft facility to open in 2027 at $34 million budget

    • Applications for participation due by November 30

     

    Interior designers are invited to donate their services as part of the development of the soon-to-be-built Ronald McDonald House at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. 

    Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro is collaborating with Washington D.C.-based furnishings supplier Family of Brands, and two publications, New York and Hamptons Cottages & Gardens, on the initiative dubbed Stony Brook Project Design. 

    Bedroom design by Young Huh at Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park. / Courtesy of Ronald McDonald House Charities NY Metro

    The effort mirrors the project design campaign for the New Hyde Park Ronald McDonald House in 2013 to 2014, where more than 60 designers donated their services to refresh 74 interior spaces, including bedrooms, common areas, media rooms and dining areas, donating furnishings and décor, valued at over $5 million. 

    Applications to participate in the Stony Brook project opened this month and are due by Nov. 30. 

    “The vision for the Stony Brook Ronald McDonald House goes far beyond a building. It’s about creating a home filled with warmth, compassion, and community,” Jennifer Nicholson, COO of New York Metro, said in a written statement. “Through Project Design, we invite designers to craft spaces that will provide comfort and healing for thousands of families for years to come.” 

    Construction of the new $34 million Stony Brook Ronald McDonald House is slated to begin this year, with plans to open in 2027. The new 60,000-square-foot facility will offer overnight accommodation, comfort, and hospitality to families caring for their seriously ill or injured children at Stony Brook Children’s Hospital. 

    “Design can change lives, and this project would be life-changing,” Lisa Kravet, chair of the Stony Brook Building Committee, said in the statement. “Bright, cheerful spaces have the power to uplift families in their darkest hour.” 

    Designers are asked to develop mood boards which illustrate their vision to design the facility’s 30 private bedrooms, reception area, dining room, kitchens, media room, playroom, wellness center, fitness center, movie theater, meditation room, laundry rooms, family lounges, rooftop retreat, volunteer room, and more. 

    “We are absolutely thrilled that Stony Brook Project Design will take place in a brand-new, purpose-built Ronald McDonald House at Stony Brook,” Marianne Howatson, CEO and publication director of C&G Media Group, said in the statement. “This extraordinary opportunity allows our talented community of designers to shape these spaces from the ground up—with compassion, creativity, and purpose—offering comfort to families during their most challenging times.” 

    Matt Campo, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Metro, said since 1986 the organization has helped tens of thousands of families with sick children find comfort and support when they needed it most.  

    “Many families travel far from home to seek the best care for their children and call Ronald McDonald House their home away from home,” Campo said in the statement. “For children facing a serious medical crisis, the love of their family is as strong as the best medicine there is.” 


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    David Winzelberg

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  • What started with a friend group volunteering at Ronald McDonald House of Md. has grown to include a dozen schools – WTOP News

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    In elementary school, a group of friends in Montgomery County, Maryland, decided they wanted to volunteer to help kids with childhood cancer. Now, they’re seniors in high school and they’ve recruited a large group across many local schools.

    A group of friends from Montgomery County volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House in Baltimore with their families.
    (Courtesy Grace Xiao)

    Courtesy Grace Xiao

    The group puts on performances for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House.
    (Courtesy Grace Xiao)

    Courtesy Grace Xiao

    A group of friends from Montgomery County volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House in Baltimore with their families.
    (Courtesy Grace Xiao)

    Courtesy Grace Xiao

    In elementary school, a group of friends in Montgomery County, Maryland, decided they wanted to volunteer to help kids with childhood cancer.

    Now, they’re seniors in high school and they’ve recruited a large group across many schools.

    “I just think that like volunteering gives so much growth,” said 17-year-old Grace Xiao, a senior at Holton-Arms School in Bethesda.

    Xiao said it started years ago, when the group was in fifth grade; the kids got together to help with a gift drive for the Super Joey Foundation. The foundation provides free gifts for children to pass the time in the hospital.

    “We actually ended up getting a ton of donations,” Xiao said. “They put these cardboard boxes at the library, and they actually ended up being kind of like overflowing by the end of the week.”

    Then they asked what they could do next.

    “We were like, ‘What can we do to help besides just this gift drive that we’ve just done?’ And they were like, ‘Well, you can come and serve dinner,’” Xiao said.

    So they gave it a try and got hooked.

    “It was us, and maybe two of our parents in the kitchen, kind of like making some food we had, I think, pasta and like pizza, just like all the main courses, and we ended up serving it,” Xiao said. “We found it was honestly incredible to see all of those people, face to face, and they were all so, so positive.”

    She said the beginning group of friends that have been volunteering since fifth grade includes Ethan Liu, 17, a senior at Montgomery Blair High School, and Kelly Wang, 17, a rising senior at Winston Churchill High School.

    Now, the group of friends has grown to more than 60 student volunteers across 14 Montgomery County schools. They volunteer monthly at Ronald McDonald House of Maryland in Baltimore by making and delivering meals to the families staying there.

    They now make it an event and go monthly, and there’s even a wait list. They also use their talents and sing and perform for the people there to give them a break in their day.

    “It’s crazy to me that I have so many volunteers working toward the same cause, but I’m really proud of how we’ve grown, and I think that the Ronald McDonald, it’s just like a very unique event in the way it draws people in,” she said.

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Valerie Bonk

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  • Help area Ronald McDonald Houses: A guide to collecting and donating aluminum pull tabs

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    Little things do add up, and aluminum pull tabs are a good example.

    Those small metal openers on pop and other cans weigh very little, but they are bringing hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).

    RMHC operate homes were families can stay while their children are treated for serious conditions at nearby hospitals. Years ago, the global organization began collecting aluminum pull tabs as a fundraiser. There is a Ronald McDonald House in Toledo and two in Ann Arbor.

    “We do not have a total number of houses in the U.S. or world that collect tabs, but (RMHC) Global says that most in the U.S. do collect tabs,” said Adam Simpson, communications and marketing coordinator for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio.

    The Northwest Ohio chapter, which is based in Toledo, began in 1982. It started collecting tabs in 1986.

    “In 2024, we estimated that our Ronald McDonald House collected 16.3 million tabs. In 2024, we raised over $7,600 through our tab program. Year to date in 2025, we have raised nearly $7,000, so we’ll shatter last year’s numbers. It all depends on the price of aluminum. We work with our local partner, OmniSource. They donated a collection container to us. When the container is full, they come and pick it up, weigh the tabs, recycle and send us a check for whatever the price per pound of aluminum is,” Simpson said.

    A child drops aluminum pull tabs into a donation bin at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio. The Toledo-based organization and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Ann Arbor both accept donations of pull tabs.

    What’s the money used for?

    Each Ronald McDonald House has its own use for the funds. In Toledo, the money buys food for the House that’s located near ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital.

    “The proceeds we receive from our tab program help offset the cost of pantry items for families at our Ronald McDonald House,” Simpson said.

    In 2024, 30 Monroe County families had 500 overnight stays at the Toledo Ronald McDonald House. So far this year, 21 families have had 485 overnight stays, according to Simpson.

    In Ann Arbor, proceeds go into the general fund.

    “The money generated from the pop tab donation is considered a general donation to RMHC to support the families staying with us. It does not have a designated program it supports,” said Shelby Kennedy, development and marketing manager for the RMHC of Ann Arbor.

    The Main House in Ann Arbor is a short walk from C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and has 31 rooms with private bathrooms, according to organization’s webpage.

    The second Ann Arbor location, Mott House, is on the 10th floor of Mott Children’s Hospital. It has 12 guest rooms available.

    Why collect just the tabs?

    Tabs are cleaner than cans and smaller than cans, so they are easier to store and transport, according to RMHC.

    Can I still get my 10-cent deposit back on Michigan cans without tabs?

    “Yes, cans can be returned without the pop tab attached to them,” Kennedy said.

    Are just tabs from pop cans accepted?

    No, any aluminum pull tab is accepted, including tabs from soup, fruit, vegetables and pet food cans.

    “If you’re unsure if your tabs are acceptable or not, you can see if they stick to a magnet. If they do, then they’re steel and should not be included in your collection,” according to RMHC of Ann Arbor.

    How many tabs are in one pound?

    “It takes approximately 1,200 tabs to equal one pound,” according to RMHC of Ann Arbor.

    Where can I take my tabs?

    • Monroe: A collection bin can be found at the registration desk at ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital, 718 N. Macomb St. in Monroe. The hospital donates to RMHC of Northwest Ohio.

    • Toledo: “The best place to drop off tabs would be our Ronald McDonald House located at 3883 Monroe St., Toledo,” Simpson said. “We’re open 24/7, 365, but the best time to drop off donations is between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.”

    • Ann Arbor: Pop Tab Hut in the parking lot of the Main House, 1600 Washington Heights in Ann Arbor. The best times are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. “Follow the directions posted for recording your donation. Please call the House first if you are delivering a large quantity at 734-994-4442,” Kennedy said.

    • Detroit: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Detroit, 4707 St. Antoine, Suite 200, Detroit.

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    Tab collection in Monroe County

    In this 2003 photo, D.J. Martinez, then 9, shows some of the 86,000 tabs he collected with his family, including his grandfather, Roy Smith.

    In this 2003 photo, D.J. Martinez, then 9, shows some of the 86,000 tabs he collected with his family, including his grandfather, Roy Smith.

    Through the years, some in Monroe County have collected large amounts of pull tabs.

    In July of 2023, ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital said on its Facebook page that it collected 142 pounds of tabs over the previous 12 months for the RMHC of Northwest Ohio.

    In 2011, Carleton siblings Logan and Lexi McLaughlin, with help from the Wagar Middle School National Junior Honor Society, collected more than 67,000 pop tabs for the Ronald McDonald House in Toledo.

    A 2003 Monroe News story featured Roy Smith, whose collection of 100,000 pop tabs was handed down to his 9-year-old grandson, D.J. Martinez. D.J. of Erie continued his grandfather’s mission and filled 22 milk jugs with tabs.

    — Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.

    This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Pop tabs: Who wants them? Can I still get my bottle deposit back?

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  • Father biking 4,600 miles to build support for the Ronald McDonald House Charities

    Father biking 4,600 miles to build support for the Ronald McDonald House Charities

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    DENVER — Jeff Bekos and his wife, Liz, are far from home. The two are traveling cross-country to raise awareness for the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), but Liz drives the van and Jeff rides his bike.

    The lives of the Bekos family changed instantly on July 5, 2013, when their 13-year-old daughter, Hailey, suffered a seizure.

    “One day she just woke up and said, ‘Dad, can you make me breakfast?’ And within 15 seconds, she stopped talking and we got her to the local hospital where she had a seizure,” Jeff said. “Then we got her down to Children’s Hospital Philadelphia the next morning, where she had two more grand mal seizures. And then two days later, she stopped breathing. And then the following week is when she fell into a coma for four months.”

    While Hailey was fighting for her life in the hospital, her family was able to remain close by thanks to the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House. The Bekos family spent 254 days there while Hailey was diagnosed with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, a rare disease.

    “It’s a rare autoimmune disease that attacks the brain,” Jeff explained. “It basically disconnected the billions of receptors that are in your brain, shutting your brain down. So she fell into a coma for four months. Doctors had no idea what to do, and at the time, there was maybe 300 cases in the world.”

    While the family waited for their daughter’s health to improve, they found comfort and support through RMHC. According to its website, the nonprofit “[provides] comfort, support and resources to families who travel far from home for the medical care their child needs.”

    “There’s always a hot meal for you, there are people there that care and talk to you,” Liz Bekos explained. “The families that you meet there, all those different experiences help you go through… what you’re going through with your child.”

    Courtesy: Maggy Wolanske

    Hailey is healthy now and described by her dad as “a bright, vibrant 24-year-old living her full life.” However, Jeff knows there are multiple families out there who are receiving support from RMHC. He is now on a mission to show how Ronald McDonald houses aren’t just a place to go but become a home away from home.

    “I mean, it really is an incredible organization. And what they do for families and provide that security and stability and all that allows you to just focus on your child, and that’s the biggest thing,” Jeff said.

    His ride into Denver was welcomed by cheers, marking one of 26 stops at Ronald McDonald houses across the country. In total, Jeff plans to bike 4,600 miles.

    “Jeff realizes that it’s not just about making an impact in one house in one city, but that he can multiply that impact by coming here and sharing the word, getting the word out about our local chapter here in Denver and about all of these families that we’re able to serve each, every year as a result of the community coming around us to make that possible” said Laura Cordes, CEO of RMHC of Denver.

    One Dad's Mission.jpg

    Courtesy: Maggy Wolanske

    When families are going through this stressful time, they are able to stay at Ronald McDonald houses free of charge, according to Cordes.

    Jeff has a donate option on his website supporting the local chapters he visits.

    “Our budget is $5.5 million every year, and the goal is that a family never has to pay a dime to walk in our doors or to receive our services, that we are able to provide everything that they might need for their stay, whether that’s one day or one year or something in between,” Cordes said.

    RMHC of Denver is looking for volunteers to help welcome families inside, along with people interested in cooking meals for the families.

    Jeff’s final stop will be at the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House on Oct. 14. During these next couple of months, he not only hopes to generate awareness but also help others realize the support waiting inside these Ronald McDonald homes.

    “I’m just thankful that she’s alive, and I’m thankful that Ronald McDonald House Charities was there for us during the most horrific time in our lives,” Jeff said.

    Coloradans making a difference | Denver7 featured videos

    At Denver7, we’re committed to making a difference in our community. We’re standing up for what’s right by listening, lending a helping hand and following through on promises. See that work in action, in the featured videos in the playlist above.

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    Maggy Wolanske

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  • McDonald’s Canada founder has died at age 86 | Globalnews.ca

    McDonald’s Canada founder has died at age 86 | Globalnews.ca

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    George Cohon, founder of McDonald’s Canada according to Ronald McDonald House Charities, has died.

    Cohon’s son, Mark Cohon, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, Saturday morning, and said: “Last night we said farewell to my Dad. Our family, Canada and the world lost a remarkable man.”

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    Cohon was born in Chicago in 1937 and received degrees from Drake University and Northwestern University School of Law before coming to Canada.

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    Cohon opened his first McDonald’s location in London, Ont. in November 1968.

    He was also the founder of Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities across the country.

    In 2020, Cohon received the Companion of the Order of Canada, the highest level of the order, for his charitable work around the world, according to a post by Ronald McDonald House.

    He was 86 years old.

    &copy 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

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    Tessa Bennett

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