August 9, 2007/- Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) has awarded a $40,000 grant through the RMHC Helping Hands Grant Program to the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation to help children with disabilities and their parents at Hotel Dieu Hospital. The money has been used to completely renovate and re-equip a specially designed washroom at the hospital.

“This is a very special gift. It will vastly improve access for children with disabilities at Hotel Dieu Hospital and provide them with the privacy and dignity they deserve. It is also special because it comes from the organization our children know and love – McDonald’s,” said Roger Wright, Chair of the Foundation. “Thank you Ronald McDonald House Charities and local McDonald’s franchisee Karen and Ron Sutherland for being so generous.”

The newly renovated washroom is located between the Children’s Outpatient Centre (COPC) area and the Child Development Centre (CDC). Together, these outpatient pediatric programs see over 30,000 visits annually. Previously, these areas did not have an appropriate special needs washroom. This new washroom will particularly enhance access for older children with disabilities as it will be specially equipped with a full-size adjustable-height change table, a wheelchair-accessible sink, and a ceiling-mounted track lift. The washroom will also provide space in which occupational therapists can provide training for children and families in daily living activities.

“At McDonald’s we are committed to giving back to the local communities we serve,” said Ron Sutherland, Franchisee, McDonald’s Restaurants of Kingston. “We are thrilled that Ronald McDonald House Charities has granted $40,000 to help bring a fully accessible washroom to Hotel Dieu Hospital. The renovated washroom is a great addition to the facilities that support many children and families from across Kingston and Southeastern Ontario.”

SUPPORTING

"We owe special thanks to our front line staff who alerted us that this improvement was needed to better support our patients with disabilities and their families,” said Elizabeth Bardon, Chief Communications Officer at Hotel Dieu Hospital. “This is a wonderful example of the tremendous commitment we see from our staff every day, and from the community through Ronald McDonald House Charities."

Hotel Dieu Hospital is the ambulatory (outpatient) care teaching hospital for Kingston and Southeastern Ontario. The Child Development Centre provides rehabilitation services for children and youth with a wide range of disabilities. The Children’s Outpatient Centre houses many different specialty clinics for children, including a walk-in pediatric urgent care clinic.

Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Canada (RMHC®) is a registered charity that is dedicated to helping children with serious illnesses or disabilities, and their families, lead happier and healthier lives. RMHC achieves this by supporting each Canadian Ronald McDonald House®, the Ronald McDonald Family RoomTM Program and by awarding grants to many other children’s charities across the country. Since its inception in 1982, RMHC Canada has awarded more than $47 million in grants benefiting thousands of children and families in more than 600 communities. The next deadline for submitting a grant application is Friday, December 7, 2007. For more information please visit: www.rmhc.ca.

University Hospitals Kingston Foundation is the fundraising arm for Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston General Hospital and Providence Care. Created in 2005, the Foundation raises money for programs, equipment, education and research that benefit the 500,000 people in Kingston and Southeastern Ontario served by the three teaching hospitals. To find out more about giving opportunities or to make a donation call 613-549-5452 or toll-free 866-549-5452 or go online to www.kingstonhospitalsfoundation.ca.