Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Launches Online Photo Campaign

OAK BROOK, Ill., March 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana (RMHC®-CNI) is getting ready to celebrate a significant milestone and many of Chicago's most well-known faces and places are supporting the cause. This June, they will officially open the world's largest Ronald McDonald House at 211 East Grand in Streeterville, where they will provide care and comfort to 86 families of hospitalized children each and every night.

April 1 will mark the beginning of the 86-day-countdown to the official House opening. In honor of the 86 families residing there, RMHC-CNI has enlisted the help of Chicagoans everywhere as they, "Count Down Around Town."  The online photo campaign will run through June 26, and feature one recognizable face or place around the city each day. Participants include Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith and his wife, MaryAnne, pro golfer Chip Beck, NBC5 anchor Stefan Holt, the Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane and left wing Patrick Sharp, as well as the 2012 McDonald's All-American Basketball teams, Southwest Airlines, local businesses such as Molly's Cupcakes and Dunlay's on Clark, and some of the faces of children who have benefitted from a Ronald McDonald House.

"We are thrilled with the response and support we have received from the Chicagoland community as we count down to our grand opening," says RMHC-CNI CEO Doug Porter. "It has been a long road to get to this point and we couldn't be more excited to open this new House that will provide care and comfort each and every night to so many children and families."

To view the images and count down with Ronald McDonald House, please visit www.ronaldhousechicago.org.  

About Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana (RMHC®-CNI)
The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana (RMHC®-CNI) is to improve the health, well-being and education of children through our four core programs:

• Our 4 Ronald McDonald Houses provide a 'home away from home' to keep families close while their children are being treated at a nearby hospital.
• Our Ronald McDonald Family Room program opening next year providing hospitality in the heart of Edward Hospital.
• Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, in partnership with Advocate Hope Children's Hospital, provides essential health services to children in underserved areas in a mobile environment.
• Our Scholarship Program provides $4,000/year renewable scholarships to academically outstanding, community-minded and economically challenged young people.

SOURCE Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana