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Advocate proud to support Ronald McDonald House (photo gallery)

The Red Deer Advocate is ready to help raise the house — the Ronald McDonald House that is.
A01-Local-Entry-Drawing
An artist’s rendering of the entry to Red Deer’s Ronald McDonald House.

The Red Deer Advocate is ready to help raise the house — the Ronald McDonald House that is.

Today’s edition of the Advocate breaks new ground for the newspaper: we’ve devoted a significant portion of our news space to stories and photos about the campaign to bring a Ronald McDonald House to Red Deer and the exceptional work Ronald McDonald Houses do.

We think the Ronald McDonald House is a project worthy of broad community support, and we wanted to give a major boost to the drive to raise funds for the house. The house, which is in the planning stages, will provide a haven for families who have sick children at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. The house is to be located near the hospital.

“The Advocate is thrilled to welcome Ronald McDonald House to Central Alberta,” said Advocate publisher Fred Gorman.

“Our goal for this kickoff was to not only raise awareness but to help build a volunteer base and raise a few dollars.”

Our two-day campaign begins today with this special edition, which is bathed in yellow ink in support of the house.

But we’re definitely not alone in promoting this cause.

If you visit the four Red Deer stand-alone McDonald’s Restaurant locations today, you’ll find additional information and an opportunity to contribute to the cause.

As well, five per cent of our advertising revenue from today’s paper is being donated to the fund to raise the house.

And on Thursday, we welcome everyone to drop by the Advocate’s offices at 2950 Bremner Ave. to learn more about the Ronald McDonald House and how they can get involved.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Ronald McDonald House representatives will accept donations, answer any questions about the house, or tell you how you can volunteer your time to help with the house.

McDonald’s Restaurants in Red Deer will provide free coffee and muffins in our front lobby. And McDonald’s special Olympic merchandise will be available to purchase, with proceeds going to the cause.

From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Red Deer Rebels players will be on hand to sign autographs.

McDonald’s has donated $1,000 worth of its Olympic merchandise, which will be on sale, with all proceeds going to the house. There will be a silent auction for an NHL framed McDonald’s hockey mask collection.

And there will be a free draw for a recliner donated by LaZBoy.

All proceeds will be donated to Ronald McDonald House in Central Alberta.

“Many thanks to McDonald’s, Ronald McDonald House and our team at the Advocate for creating this exciting day and collectively making life better for Central Albertan families during a difficult time in their lives,” said Gorman.

For donor, volunteer and/or sponsorship opportunities, contact Marla Cohen, director of development at Ronald McDonald House Charities at 403-240-3000 ext. 128 or marla@rmhsouthernalberta.org. For information on the Red Deer house go to

www.rmhcentralalberta.org

Donations can also be mailed to:

Ronald McDonald House Southern Alberta, 111 West Campus Place NW, Calgary, Alta., T3B 2R6. (Make reference to the Red Deer house.)