The Ronald McDonald House Charities is a non-profit organization that helps keep families with sick children together and supply the care they need.

It helps these families by offering housing situations to keep the families closer together, cover the expenses of keeping the family together in a different state, or giving basic medical or dental check-ups to families who cannot afford it.

There are chapters in more 64 countries. RMCH has helped numerous families since its start up in 1947. 

It is one of the several organizations Stratford’s Key Club works with. Last year, Key Club raised $1,546.39 for RMHC. This year’s goal is to surpass last years amount.

This year’s annual McJean’s Day will be on Sept. 27. Students and faculty members can pay $2 to wear spirit day attire and support the charity.   

Mrs. Hollie Wangerin, Key Club advisor, said she has supported the Ronald McDonald House years before she came to Stratford and will continue to support what they do for others in need.

Her goal for the event is to have “every member of the student body, faculty, and staff to participate.”

Helping the Ronald McDonald House means a lot to Mrs. Wangerin because the money raised will “help families in the Macon-Bibb region deal with the trauma of a severe childhood illness.”

“A member of my family was diagnosed with cancer when she was 14, so I know the struggles families face when an illness like this strikes,” Mrs. Wangerin said. “It’s good to know what we are helping families in a time of great need.”

Key Club President, Vivian Duong, said she hopes to raise more money for the Ronald McDonald House than last year. She also wants to spread awareness about what the Ronald McDonald house is and how it helps people.