New Hyde Park, NY – June 22, 2017 – For the 26th straight year running, Newsday representatives have walked into the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island on a morning in June with a generous gift- a check that represents the proceeds of newspapers sold in select Long Island McDonald’s restaurants throughout the previous year, with every cent of it going to the Long Island Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park.
The Long Island Ronald McDonald House is a not-for-profit that caters to the needs of families of seriously ill children who are being treated at the neighboring Cohen Children's Hospital. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle
This year’s check – a donation in the amount of $19,787 – represents the proceeds of one-half the sale price of every single copy of Newsday sold in 2016 in the following Long Island McDonald’s restaurants: Long Beach, Lindenhurst, North Babylon, Huntington, Syosset, Oakdale, West Islip, Hicksville, Jericho, Oceanside, Elmont, Franklin Square, Baldwin, Lynbrook, Freeport, and Uniondale.
Newsday’s Vice President of Public Affairs Paul Fleishman (left) shakes hands with Matt Campo, President of the Long Island Ronald McDonald House (right). Photo Credit: Chris Boyle
The Long Island Ronald McDonald House is a not-for-profit that caters to the needs of families of seriously ill children who are being treated at Cohen Children's Hospital and other area medical facilities. The Ronald McDonald House, for the families of children being treated at Cohen, provides the possibility of not only being close at-hand to their loved one at all times, but it also a place to sleep, unwind, relax, and recharge so that they can focus their energies on the needs and well-being of their child. A small donation is requested of families staying at the Ronald McDonald House, but any fees can be waived if financial constraints are an issue.
Long Island Ronald McDonald House features numerous amenities available for guest families, including kitchens with a free nightly dinner. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle
Newsday’s Vice President of Public Affairs Paul Fleishman, who presented the check on Wednesday, June 21, said that there is no better charity for the iconic newspaper to maintain a long and prosperous relationship with than the Long Island Ronald McDonald House.
“This is a real privilege for us...I'm really marveling, because someone reminded me that last year we had been doing this for 25 years, so of course this marks year 26... 26 years, wow,” he said. “So many of the McDonald’s restaurant owner-operators have such a long tradition of giving back to the community, and Newsday has a long tradition of giving back to the community as well, so in many ways this is a very natural partnership, and I couldn't think of a better cause.”
Long Island Ronald McDonald House features a computer lounge, workout and medication areas, common areas with televisions and video games. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle
Matt Campo, President of the Long Island Ronald McDonald House, gladly accepted the donation, and noted that Newsday’s steadfast support over the years is seen as a genuine and even vital boon for the charity.
“This partnership has been 26 years long, and it really has become a source of strength for us,” he said. “It's something that we now rely on, and every year we put it in our budget... Newsday's our partner, and they're going to help us again this year. Thank you so much...we appreciate it.”
Newsday representatives presenting a check for $19,787 to the Ronald Mcdonald House of Long Island. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle
Fleishman hailed the passion and dedication that Campo and his team have been known for over the years, but noted that helping others often takes more than just a little elbow grease; it takes financial support, which is something that Newsday is more than happy to chip in with.
“I know the slogan of the Long Island Ronald McDonald House is ‘The House that Love Built,’ but it's not just love...you need money too,” Fleishman joked. “So we're honored to work with the owner-operators of the McDonald's restaurants to support the great work that you do.”
Long Island Ronald McDonald House President Matt Campo gives a tour of the building to Newsday representatives. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle
The Long Island Ronald McDonald House is celebrating their 31st year of operation as of 2017; Campo noted that the House originally started as an 18-room facility in 1986, and that over the years it has grown and expanded in as many ways as possible to help facilitate and support their vital mission to the community.
“In 2005 we expanded to 42 bedrooms, and – in 2013 and 2014, respectively – we renovated all 44,000 square feet. We did a $5.5 million renovation that basically cost us nothing…we had designers from both New York City and Long Island come out, and each of them took a space and renovated it with their furniture vendors,” he said. “In the first phase we had a little over 30 designers and we did 18 bedrooms, 20 bathrooms and six common spaces in six weeks. In Phase 2 we did the rest of the building, which took a longer time due to the geography of the building.”
The Long Island Ronald McDonald House features 42 bedrooms, all of which were recently renovated for free by designers from both New York City and Long Island. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle
In addition to stylish, unique, and comfortable lodging, the Long Island Ronald McDonald House features numerous amenities available for guest families, including showers, kitchens with a free nightly dinner, a computer lounge, workout and medication areas, common areas with televisions and video games, and much more.
Over the years the Long Island Ronald McDonald House has grown and expanded in as many ways as possible to help facilitate and support their vital mission to the community. Photo Credit: Chris Boyle
Long Island McDonalds Marketing and Public Relations Director Luciana Montuoro also expressed appreciation for both the unwavering support of Newsday over the years and the ability to be involved with such a selfless, world-renowned charity; the Ronald McDonald House has 322 locations in 57 countries across the globe, all with the same unifying mission- to make a difference in the lives of children and their families who are facing a crisis, and to give them the strength they need to make it through to better times.
“We're extremely grateful to have this wonderful program in place with Newsday. It's a great feeling to know that they donate 50 percent of every Newsday purchased at select Long Island McDonald’s restaurants to Long Island’s ‘best kept secret’...the Ronald McDonald House,” she said. “We thank Newsday for their continued support of this wonderful program, which has tremendously helped further the mission of the Ronald McDonald House of Long Island over the years.”
For more information on other Long Island McDonald’s programs, visit www.LIMcDonalds.com.