Ronald McDonald Charities Celebrates 25th Anniversary on Maui

McDonald’s file photo by Nikki Caccamo.

By Wendy Osher

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawaii will celebrate 25 years of service in Hawai’i with an anniversary event at the Queen Ka’ahumanu Center on September 8.

Since opening in 1987, RMHC has provided a “home-away-from-home” for the families of more than 10,000 seriously ill children from the neighbor islands, Guam, Saipan and other Pacific islands.  Over 25 years, the charity has provided a total of about 100,000 nights of lodging to assist families of children undergoing medical care for serious illness or injury in Hawai’i.

“We have served more than two thousand families from Maui since opening,” said Jerri Chong, RMHC-HI President. “It would be so great if, through this event at the mall, we can reconnect with some of those families that have stayed at the House over the years. They are all part of our special ohana.”

The anniversary event will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 8, 2012.  The celebration features keiki face painting, pictures, glitter tattoos, coloring, balloon decoration, and an appearance by Ronald McDonald.

Entertainment includes musical performances by Kaniala Masoe, Josh Tatofi, and Ekolu Kalama.

Hawaii’s Ronald McDonald House is located in Manoa Valley on O’ahu, and within minutes of major children’s hospitals in the area.  The 10-bedroom facility offers families a haven where they can share their concerns, spend quiet time with their loved ones, and find support and comfort from others who are going through similar experiences.

RMHC also operates a second Ronald McDonald House with seven bedrooms on Oahu Avenue, and the Ronald McDonald House Family Room at Kapiolani Medical Center for Women & Children.