They deserve a break today

Today I am celebrating World Children's Day!

Today has been set aside to create awareness of critical issues and children's causes around the world. 2007 marks the 6th year for World Children's Day at McDonald’s, an annual global fundraiser for children celebrated in more than 100 countries. Funds raised benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) and local children’s causes in communities around the world. World Children’s Day at McDonald’s has been celebrated around the world throughout November but culminates today, Tuesday, November 20, 2007.

The Ronald McDonald House program was created as a temporary residence, a home-away-from-home, for families of seriously ill children. The original house, inspired during the illness of the daughter of Philadelphia Eagles' tight end Fred Hill, was a partnership between the team, the McDonalds restaraunt, and Dr. Audrey Evans of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. For more than 30 years, the Ronald McDonald House program has provided families with a safe, supportive place to stay when their child receives treatment in a nearby hospital or medical facility. Often a prolonged stay at a nearby hotel would be impractical and beyond the means of many families.

The Ronald McDonald House program provides comfort and emotional support to these families. There are Ronald McDonald Houses in 30 countries around the world. They are supported by nearly 30,000 volunteers who annually donate more than 3 million hours of their time. More than 6,000 bedrooms are available for families every night. Through other core programs, a family room is provided in some hospitals and a mobile medical care program is available for underserved children in their own neighorhoods.

For more information about the charities and their work and World Children's Day at McDonalds, visit these websites:
Ronald McDonald House Charities
World Children's Day at McDonalds

Here's the Emmy award-winning song, Aren't They All Our Children After All, composed by David Foster and Linda Thompson as the theme song for a Concert for World Children's Day. It was originally performed in 2002 by a host of stars, including David Foster, Celine Dion, Nick Carter, Josh Groban, Enrique Iglesias and Yolanda Adams for the television special on ABC.



As posted on Youtube by pauly681

Families of seriously ill children need a break, or as Dr Phil would say "a soft place to land." Help give these families a break today. Drive by those golden arches and give today in celebration of World Children's Day.