LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Ronald
McDonald House Charities of Rochester NY, Inc.

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the
quality and character of life in the communities across New York State
are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organiza-
tions which devote themselves to the welfare of the community and its
citizenry; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 20th
Anniversary of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester NY,
Inc., to be celebrated at its Red Tie 20th Birthday Gala on Saturday,
March 20, 2010; and
WHEREAS, In 1969, former Philadelphia Eagles' tight end Fred Hill's
three-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Leukemia; he was driven to do
something, so he rallied the Eagles, the Philadelphia McDonald's Owners,
and the Philadelphia community to build the first Ronald McDonald House,
which opened in 1974; and
WHEREAS, Since that time, many other communities followed suit recog-
nizing this same need in their own community; today, there are over 260
Houses throughout the United States, and 29 countries around the world;
and
WHEREAS, In 1985, inspired by the impact of these Ronald McDonald
Houses, McDonald's owner/operators in the Rochester area approached
Strong Memorial Hospital concerning the opening of a Ronald McDonald
House in Rochester; the hospital supported the proposal and the Univer-
sity of Rochester donated the building site; and
WHEREAS, With local McDonald's operators' initial pledge and a seed
grant from McDonald's Corporation, the capital campaign was off to a
strong start; the first fundraiser was a shamrock shake campaign, and
many others in the Rochester area stepped up to provide significant
funds along with the volunteer support needed to open the doors to the
128th 'Home-Away-From-Home' in February of 1990; and
WHEREAS, Since that time, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of
Rochester NY, Inc. has provided a haven for over 6,000 families travel-
ing to Rochester for their child's specialized medical care; and
WHEREAS, In 1996, the Rochester Ronald McDonald House merged with the
local chapter of Ronald McDonald Children's Charities; together as
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester, it has the power to extend
its reach to thousands of children in the greater Rochester community
who benefit from programs and services provided by children's charities
supported through the grants program; and
WHEREAS, In 2005, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester NY,
Inc., further expanded its continuum of care by opening its "House with-
in the Hospital"; located atop the new, state-of-the-art Pediatric
Intensive Care Unit at Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong Memorial,
the 4,000-square-foot House provides proximate respite and support for
families nearby their critically ill or injured child; this unique,
on-site haven allows the organization to serve more families than ever
before; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned our
recognition and applause; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Ronald McDonald House Charities
of Rochester NY, Inc.; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester NY, Inc.