Dillard's Offers Exclusive Southern Living Christmas Cookbook to Benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities®

With the approach of the holiday season, Dillard's is pleased to further its commitment to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC®) with their 17th annual holiday fundraiser. Since 1994, Dillard's has supported RMHC with a fundraiser benefiting its Ronald McDonald House® program which provides families with seriously ill children a home away from home while their children are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.

For the third time, Dillard's is offering a special custom edition of the Southern Living Christmas Cookbook to benefit RMHC®. This exclusive, 288-page hardbound cookbook is filled with fabulous holiday recipes, color photos, menus, decorating tips and entertaining ideas. This "must have" cookbook is available for only $10.

The cookbooks are available now in all Dillard's stores nationwide, as well as online at www.dillards.com. Profits from the sale of the cookbooks will benefit local houses operated by Ronald McDonald House Charities® in Dillard's markets.

Now in its 17th year of support, Dillard's has raised more than $5.9 million to benefit RMHC®. This year, Dillard's is on pace to exceed its 2009 record donation of $1.4 million.

"Our continued partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities gives all of us at Dillard's an enormous sense of pride. We look forward to another successful fundraiser this year and are honored to support the Ronald McDonald Houses in our communities," said Denise Mahaffy, Vice President of Advertising for Dillard's.

Ryan Seacrest to Host Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities Hearts and Hands Gala October 24th

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities (ARMHC) announces its Hearts and Hands Gala at 7pm on Saturday, October 24, at the World of Coca-Cola. Atlanta’s own Ryan Seacrest of “American Idol” will serve as host of the sold out black-tie dinner which will feature a special performance by “American Idol” season six finalist, Melinda Doolittle and a silent auction. The Coca-Cola Company is the event’s presenting sponsor. The Event Chair is Javier Goizueta, Vice President, The Coca-Cola Company and President of the McDonald’s Division Worldwide. Muhtar Kent, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Coca-Cola Company is Honorary Chair.

“The Ronald McDonald House is a cause that is very dear to the hearts of us at The Coca-Cola Company. We are committed to supporting the mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities, as we strive to help improve the health and well-being of children and families in need,” says Javier Goizueta.

Proceeds from the Hearts and Hands Gala will support operations of Atlanta’s two Ronald McDonald Houses. "We are grateful for the generosity and ongoing support of The Coca-Cola Company. And we are thrilled Coca-Cola’s longtime ambassador, Ryan Seacrest, will host the evening. Despite a tough economy, we expect this inaugural event will be successful in raising funds to support families in need at our two local Ronald McDonald Houses. This year marks our 30th anniversary and this new event is a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness for Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities and the organization's important work throughout the area,” says Linda M. Morris, President/CEO of Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Increased demand led to the recent expansion of the local Ronald McDonald House programs. Last year, Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities opened a new state-of-the-art 50-bedroom $15.7 million Ronald McDonald House near Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston to meet the growing need. An 11-bedroom Ronald McDonald House on Peachtree Dunwoody Road continues to operate at full capacity to serve families of children receiving medical treatment at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. Combined, the two local Houses serve more than 2,000 families a year.

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Ronald McDonald House Charities(R) Makes it Easy for Supporters to Give Back Through Its '30 Ways in 30 Days' Campaign

/PRNewswire/ -- In support of National Volunteer Month, Ronald McDonald House Charities(R) (RMHC(R)) is encouraging people to give back to their communities through the Charity's "30 Ways in 30 Days" Campaign. Starting in April, people can visit rmhc.org to get daily inspiration on ways to give back, reminding them that by volunteering they give families one of the biggest gifts of all - more time together while their children are being treated for serious illnesses.

"RMHC wouldn't be able to serve millions of children each year if it weren't for its strong network of volunteers," said Linda Dunham, chairperson of the Global Board of Trustees for RMHC. "More than 30,000 volunteers donate millions of hours, saving the Charity nearly $2 million annually. And, most importantly they enable us to help more than 10,000 families every day. This April, we're celebrating their contributions and making it easier than ever before for people to join our Friends of RMHC volunteer network and give the gift of time."

The "30 Ways in 30 Days" campaign kicks off a new partnership with VolunteerMatch. Through the partnership, visitors to rmhc.org can now search for volunteer opportunities at local RMHC chapters, and chapters can use www.volunteermatch.org to recruit from VolunteerMatch's network of volunteers, the Web's largest of its kind. In addition, RMHC will shine the spotlight on volunteers through a new online community powered by Facebook Connect on the Charity's Web site that provides a forum for people to share their personal stories, read firsthand testimonials from current volunteers and be inspired by the "30 Ways in 30 Days" tips on how they can lend a helping hand this April and year round.

Some of the simple volunteer tips included in the "30 Ways in 30 Days" campaign include:

-- Prepare and serve a home-cooked meal for families staying at a local
Ronald McDonald House(R)
-- Help a local RMHC Chapter with a golf tournament, auction, gala or
fundraising event to raise awareness for the Charity
-- Stuff backpacks with school supplies for children visiting a local
Ronald McDonald Care Mobile(R)
-- Answer phones, greet visitors or do light office work at a local
Ronald McDonald House or Ronald McDonald Family Room(R)
-- Host a pizza party, ice cream social, or popcorn and movie night at a
local Ronald McDonald House
-- Donate at rmhc.org or drop off spare change in a RMHC Donation Box at
a local participating McDonald's(R) restaurant

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NASCAR Stars Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler Team-Up to Benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities(R) (RMHC(R)) and Support Families in Need

PRNewswire/ -- Today, NASCAR drivers Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler, of Gillett Evernham Motorsports, combined efforts to help raise awareness for Ronald McDonald House Charities(R) (RMHC(R)), benefitting programs to support children and families in need around the world.

"Ronald McDonald House Charities relies heavily on the generous support of individuals like Kasey Kahne and Elliott Sadler, to help further its mission to improve the health and well-being of children in need," said Marty Coyne, president and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities. "Both of these gentlemen set a great example of how individuals can make a difference. During these tough economic times, it's especially important that we volunteer and give back any way we can, both in our local communities and around the globe."

Kasey Kahne, founder of the Kasey Kahne Foundation, donated $150,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities to support its three core programs: Ronald McDonald House(R), Ronald McDonald Family Room(R) and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile(R). Kahne is a long-time supporter of RMHC, donating $500,000 to date.

"For me, it was an easy decision to make this donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities and support such a great cause," said Kasey Kahne, NASCAR driver and long-time supporter of RMHC. "The Kasey Kahne Foundation and RMHC share a similar mission to help support chronically ill children and their families. Whether it's volunteering time or money, we can all make a difference to those who need it most."

In addition to Kahne's donation, Elliott Sadler announced he will drive an RMHC-themed race car this weekend, during the Sprint Cup Series race in Atlanta, to help raise awareness for the Charity and World Children's Day(R) at McDonald's(R) -- the company's largest annual fundraiser for RMHC.

The race car will also feature a special tribute to Paul Newman -- famous philanthropist, race car enthusiast and long-time supporter of the Charity. The No. 19 Ronald McDonald House Charities Dodge will run "Thank You Paul Newman 1925 - 2008" on the rear panel of the race car. Since 1982, Paul Newman and the Newman's Own Foundation have given over $250 million to thousands of educational and charitable purposes worldwide.

"I'm honored to drive my No. 19 Dodge with an RMHC paint scheme this weekend," said Elliott Sadler, NASCAR driver and RMHC supporter. "I'm also proud to work with McDonald's to help kick-off World Children's Day and raise awareness for RMHC -- both on and off the track."