McDonald's(R) Restaurants of the Greater Philadelphia Region Celebrate Six Years of World Children's Day(TM) With a Special Visit from Grammy Award Winning Artist Ne-Yo and 'Heroes' Actress Hayden Panettiere

McDonald's(R) Restaurants of the Greater Philadelphia Region Celebrate Six Years of World Children's Day(TM) With a Special Visit from Grammy Award Winning Artist Ne-Yo and 'Heroes' Actress Hayden Panettiere

World Children's Day event seeks to raise funds and awareness for Ronald McDonald House Charities(R) and other Children's Causes

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonald's Restaurants of the Greater Philadelphia Region will celebrate World Children's Day(TM), a global program that raises awareness and funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities(R) (RMHC(R)) and other children's causes, on November 20. The event will include a number of special programs including a celebrity visit to a local McDonald's Restaurant from Grammy Award winning artist Ne-Yo and actress Hayden Panettiere.

Throughout the country, participating McDonald's restaurants will donate $1 from the sale of every Beef, Chicken Sandwich and Chicken McNuggets Extra Value Meal(R) on November 20 to RMHC. Many McDonald's restaurants are also participating in the "Give a Hand(TM)" program, which runs November 9 - 20. The paper hands are being sold for $1 each and the proceeds will support RMHC.

In its sixth year, World Children's Day takes place annually in November in more than 100 countries. To date, McDonald's and its customers from around the world have raised over $100 million for RMHC and other children's causes on World Children's Day.

"World Children's Day is a very special day to Ronald McDonald House Charities and the McDonald's family. Each year we are struck by the outpouring of generosity from our local community members and are grateful for their continued support," stated John Durante, president, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philadelphia Region, Inc. "With the participation of Ne-Yo and Hayden Panettiere, I feel confident that the event this year will be just as successful as years past."

The Philadelphia event, taking place at the McDonald's Restaurant located at 914 South Broad Street, will feature a brief speaking program and on-site dental screenings for select guests performed by the St. Christopher's Foundation Ronald McDonald Care Mobile (a two-chair mobile dental clinic). In addition, and in conjunction with the "Give a Hand(TM)" customer donation program, Philadelphia's Cornwells Elementary School created a mural of their students' handprints that will be unveiled at the event. Immediately following the Care Mobile presentation, Ne-Yo and Panettiere will be inside of the restaurant greeting customers from behind the counter.

As part of this year's World Children's Day effort, a public service announcement was created and is currently airing on TV and radio stations across the U.S. The PSA features Hazelton, PA, resident Jessie Rodriguez and her family who regularly stayed at the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware over the past six years while their daughter Jessie underwent and recovered from a liver transplant. RMHC and World Children's Day ambassador Ne-Yo also gave his support to the PSA as the voiceover sharing Jessie's story. Jessie and her family will also be on site for the Philadelphia event.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities

RMHC of the Philadelphia Region, Inc., grants approximately $500,000 per year to support non-profit programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. RMHC of the Philadelphia Region, Inc. supports the Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey and Delaware Ronald McDonald Houses, and receives its support from McDonald's Corporation, McDonald's Owner/Operators, corporate donors and McDonald's customers.

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Source: Ronald McDonald House Charities

CONTACT: Jennifer Slobotkin, +1-215-790-4338,
jslobotkin@tierneyagency.com, for Ronald McDonald House Charities

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