All,
 
Every year we try to do 1-2 philanthropy projects to help out the community.  This holiday season we will be collecting items from The Ronald McDonald House Wish List through the month of December, specifically at our December Children's Activity at the Coralville Recreation Center.  I recently had a friend who had her young infant undergo heart surgery at U of I and the Ronald McDonald house was a great assistance and relief for them during that difficult time.  
 
*Below is some additional information on the Ronald McDonald House if you are not familiar with it.
 
If you have an item you would like to donate, please contact MaryEdith Malin at 358-2976 or medical_partners@hotmail.com to arrange for dropoff/pickup or bring your donation to the December children's activity.  Detailed information is provided in the clubs section of our website under children's activities.  *If there is anyone that would like to assist with collection/dropoff for this project, let me know.  We can always use volunteers.  
 
Thanks so much and I know we can all pull together to assist this great cause!
 
Ronald McDonald Wish List

Food Items                             
Baking mixes, frosting mixes
Canned soup — variety, please
Canned fruits & vegetables — variety, please
Sugar, flour, chocolate chips
Cans of juice or frozen concentrate
Cereal, both individual and large boxes
Fresh fruit, vegetables — Important
Milk, butter, and eggs — Important
Snacks (granola bars, cookies, fruit snacks)
 
Household Items
Liquid laundry detergent
Household cleaning supplies
Automatic dish washing detergent
Hot / Cold cups - 8 oz.
Swiffers
Dust cloths / Handi-wipes
Dryer sheets
Copy paper (white), 8.5 x 11, 20#
40w / 60w light bulbs
First Class postage stamps
Lysol disinfectant spray
Pledge orange spray
Aluminum Foil / Ziplock Bags
 

The Ronald McDonald House
The idea for a Ronald McDonald House began in Philadelphia in 1973, when Fred Hill, a member of the Philadelphia Eagles football team, learned that his three year old daughter, Kim, had leukemia. The Eagles organized fundraising efforts to assist Kim's, as well as other children's, fight against leukemia. During the course of these efforts, the idea of a 'home-away-from-home' where out-of-town families could stay during their child's hospital treatment, was born.

Why Ronald McDonald?
The Eagles enlisted the help of their local McDonald's restaurants to raise money for the first-ever house. In 1974, the Philadelphia House opened bearing the name of McDonald's happy clown, Ronald McDonald. Today, there are over 200 Ronald McDonald Houses in 19 countries, all serving the needs of families during their child's hospitalization. Each House is independently owned and operated. McDonald's is only one of many generous donors, so community-wide support is the essential ingredient for each House.

The Iowa City House
The Ronald McDonald House of Iowa City, opened in 1985, has been a "home away from home" for over 45,000 family members from all 99 Iowa Counties, all 50 states, and 40 foreign countries. Since opening, the House has grown in capacity from 15 rooms to the current capacity of 31 rooms following the House expansion in 1999.
 

-Erika Compton
President