High School Students Across the New York Tri-State Area Band Together to Create Change in Their Communities

ROSELAND, N.J., Jan. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonald's New York Tri-State Area is proud to kick off "Community Service Is A Team Sport" (CSTS), an initiative created to motivate and inspire high school students to learn the importance of giving back, creating change and raising awareness about a cause that is meaningful to them.  McDonald's® is committed to giving back to the community in which they do business including their charity of choice, Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®).  With this in mind, McDonald's is asking students throughout the area to team up with their friends and be creative to help others while experiencing something rewarding and fun.

There are many ways students can get involved in local charities including:

• Volunteer time and resources at a local organization such as Ronald McDonald House®
• Raise money through community activities and fundraisers such as organize a toy and food drive
• Promote charitable work via Facebook and Twitter by encouraging friends to Tweet, post photos showcasing their community work or pledge a commitment online
• Donate at your local McDonald's restaurant in the RMHC Canister

"CSTS is a great way to continue to bring awareness to RMHC while also teaching an important lesson of giving back to the community," said Gerald McCoy, president of Ronald McDonald House Charities of the New York Tri-State Area.  "Donating your time and effort to benefit a worthy cause has the power to change lives."

CSTS was created to educate and motivate students to give back locally to charities such as RMHC to raise awareness.  For over 35 years, RMHC has been committed to creating and supporting programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. 

The Ronald McDonald House is a "home-away-from-home" for families while their seriously ill children are undergoing tough or challenging treatment at nearby hospitals, allowing families to spend more time together, which helps children to heal better and faster.  RMHC helps thousands of families through its 300 Ronald McDonald Houses in over 52 countries.

About McDonald's New York Metro Region

McDonald's is the world's best-known brand and is the global leader in food service. There are more than 600 McDonald's restaurants, owned by over 100 franchisees, located throughout the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut Tri-State area.  Visit www.mcdonaldsnymetro.com or follow us on Twitter @McDNYTriState for more information about other McDonald's area programs.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities of the New York Tri-State Area

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of the New York Tri-State Area is working to better the lives of children and their families in our communities, by creating and supporting programs that directly improve the well-being of children in the areas of health, education, the arts, and civic and social services. Since 1992, RMHC-NYTSA has provided more than $10 million dollars to local non-profit organizations whose programs improve the well-being of children and their families.  For further information on the Ronald McDonald House Charities New York Tri-State Area, visit www.rmhcnewyorktri-state.org or call 973.287.1476

SOURCE Ronald McDonald House Charities of the New York Tri-State Area