PITTSBURGH, April 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its efforts to improve the well-being of children in western Pennsylvania and the communities it serves, Equitable Gas Company announced today its Fueling Your Day With Love Campaign.  

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20090908/NE71771LOGO )

The campaign is an exciting new partnership with Pittsburgh area McDonald's® restaurants designed to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Pittsburgh.  Now through Memorial Day, when customers purchase McDonald's Premium Roast Drip Coffee at neighborhood McDonald's restaurants, Equitable Gas will donate to RMHC of Pittsburgh.

Professional hockey player Mike Rupp, an enthusiastic volunteer for RMHC of Pittsburgh, is serving as spokesman for the campaign.  Since Rupp wears number 17 while playing hockey, it inspired the goal for the fundraiser: If McDonald's customers purchase 17 million ounces of Premium Roast Drip Coffee between now and Memorial Day, Equitable Gas will donate $17,000 to RMHC of Pittsburgh.

"Equitable Gas is proud to partner with our neighborhood McDonald's restaurants to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh," said Bill Lucas, Executive Vice President of Equitable Gas Company.  "A delicious cup of McDonald's Premium Roast Drip Coffee can help fuel your day.  Now when customers buy their daily cup of McDonald's coffee they are helping a family and sick child in need and spreading a little love."

Ronald McDonald House provides temporary housing to families who have traveled to the Pittsburgh area seeking life-saving medical care for their children.  Ronald McDonald House provides a "home away from home" during one of the most difficult times in a family's life. By providing the necessities of home, Ronald McDonald House helps families focus solely on the well-being of their sick children.

"We're very grateful to Equitable Gas Company and Mike Rupp," said Eleanor Reigel, Executive Director of RMHC of Pittsburgh.  "Through their generous support, Ronald McDonald House will be able to provide lodging and love to even more families facing tremendous challenges."

Equitable Gas Company is a provider of safe and dependable natural gas service to approximately 275,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers located mainly in the city of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County.  Its customer base also includes more than 200 municipalities in nine other counties in western Pennsylvania, 12 counties in central and northern West Virginia, and nine counties in eastern Kentucky.  Additional information about Equitable Gas can be obtained through its Web site at www.equitablegas.com.

Known as the House That Love Built, RMHC of Pittsburgh is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.  Since its founding in 1979, RMHC has provided a home away from home for almost 14,000 families of seriously ill children receiving life-saving medical treatment in area hospitals. For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh, call 412.362.3400 or visit http://www.rmhcpgh.org.

McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local businessmen and women. Customers can now log online for free at any of the 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.McDToday.com.

SOURCE Equitable Gas Company