Story By Marla Ballard
Anyone who has gone to McDonalds since 2019, especially in Fort Payne, has most likely been asked if they would be willing to round-up on the total of their bill (adding coinage to make the purchase an even number). This seemingly small amount of change has made a big difference, close to home.
The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga has been helping families stay together and close to the care they need. RMHC provides a place for family to stay just footsteps away from their child’s hospital room at Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga. This avenue also provides laundry, one hot meal a day, food and snacks, and programs for well-being.
So far this year, the Fort Payne McDonald’s has raised over $36,800. Rainsville is not far behind, raising over $32,600 and Trenton has raised over $20,000. Last year, the round-up program as a whole raised over $662,000, and this year RMHC have already been able to raise over $440,000 from the 56 McDonald's that support Ronald McDonald House.
“We want to recognize their support and thank the folks of Fort Payne, helping them to understand that their money is making a significant impact on our organization,” said Marketing and Communications Specialist Jannat Saeed. “David Bledsoe’s (owner/operator of Fort Payne McDonald’s) organization has been exemplary in their support through Round-Up.”
As part of thanking McDonald’s owner/operators RMHC embarked on a Thank You Tour personally visiting each McDonald’s and presenting a plaque of appreciation. David Bledsoe and his team were recognized for their generous partnership across all of their McDonald’s locations. “Fort Payne is the No.1 McDonald’s with the highest Round-Up participation in our area,” said Saeed. “Hence we also want to thank the community as well.”
A.J. Davis oversees the community engagement efforts at RMHC of Greater Chattanooga. “McDonald's is of course our founding mission partner and today they primarily support our organization through the Round-Up program,” said Davis. “Round-Up not only helps us grow our programming, but helps us serve over 400 families annually with sick children, several of whom will come from the Ft. Payne area.”
“The McDonald’s Owner/Operators are a loyal and generous group, but no one company can solely fund RMHC of Greater Chattanooga. The remainder of our annual operating income is secured through the generosity of individuals, organizations, foundations, civic and service organizations, and many other corporate donors. We depend on the entire Greater Chattanooga community and greatly value the wide range of support for our very important mission as well as through Round-Up. We are not funded by McDonald's, but the Round-Up change we receive from our local operators goes directly into funding for our families,” said Saeed.
