Superstar Music Group Destiny's Child Fulfills Dreams of Kids Staying at Local Ronald McDonald Houses as Part of Farewell Concert Tour

Superstar Music Group Destiny's Child Fulfills Dreams of Kids Staying at Local Ronald McDonald Houses as Part of Farewell Concert Tour

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonald's(R) Restaurants of the Greater Philadelphia Region, Inc., today announced that families staying at the Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey and Delaware Ronald McDonald Houses will attend a special backstage reception with superstar music group Destiny's Child on Friday, August 5, at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia prior to the group's 7:00 p.m. performance - part of the "Destiny Fulfilled...and lovin' it" farewell concert tour, presented by McDonald's.

Destiny's Child has committed to donating $1.00 to Ronald McDonald House Charities(R) from every ticket sold during the U.S. tour to motivate others to give. Leveraging this gesture, the concert series will also serve as the perfect platform to engage consumers regarding the charity and to generate early buzz for this year's World Children's Day, McDonald's annual global fundraiser benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities and other children's causes.

"We are honored to continue our role as global ambassadors for World Children's Day," said Beyonce Knowles, founding member of Destiny's Child. "Helping McDonald's with this worldwide fundraiser that benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities and kids around the world is significant for us. Music may be our passion, but the life we lead off the stage and our love for kids is really important to us as well."

"We are so excited about McDonald's partnership with Destiny's Child and delighted that families staying at our local Ronald McDonald Houses will have the opportunity not just to meet with Destiny's Child and attend the concert, but also to spend time relaxing and enjoying one another's company," said Mike Anton, President of McDonald's Restaurants of the Greater Philadelphia Region, Inc.

McDonald's is also recognizing more than a dozen local restaurant managers and crew who have recently received service awards by giving them and their guests exclusive V.I.P. tickets to the show.

The tour is part of McDonald's multi-dimensional global partnership with Destiny's Child, who are playing an integral role in the McDonald's worldwide brand campaign "i'm lovin' it" - bringing a new, exciting energy and attitude to McDonald's ongoing approach of connecting with customers in fresh, relevant ways. The tour will visit more than 30 U.S. cities as well as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Japan, Australia, Brazil and Canada.

Destiny's Child formed in Houston, TX, and rose to become one of the best- selling groups of the late '90s and early '00s. Members Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams burst onto the music scene in 1997 with their multi- platinum single "No, No, No." The multi-Grammy award-winning trio has sold more than 40 million records and received a total of 22 gold, platinum and multi-platinum RIAA certificates.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philadelphia Region, Inc., provides care and comfort to children and families. Their mission includes the support of three Ronald McDonald Houses located in Philadelphia (the world's first house), Camden and Wilmington, and the presentation of grants to not-for profit organizations, primarily for programs that provide services aimed at improving the health and wellness of children. RMHC receives support from McDonald's Corporation, McDonald's Owner/Operators, corporate donors and McDonald's customers.

McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 13,700 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. There are more than 300 McDonald's restaurants in the Greater Philadelphia Region that are owned and operated by more than 70 independent franchisees and McDonald's Corporation. Together they proudly support Ronald McDonald House Charities. For more information about McDonald's visit http://www.mcdonalds.com/.

Source: McDonald's(R) Restaurants of the Greater Philadelphia Region, Inc.

CONTACT: Stephanie Mangino, Tierney Communications, +1-215-790-4413,
smangino@tierneyagency.com, for McDonald's(R) Restaurants of the Greater
Philadelphia Region

Web site: http://www.mcdonalds.com/

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