The Ronald McDonald House is here to help you

21 locally owned Mcdonald's restaurants made a big donation to the Ronald McDonald house.

They gave more than $14,000.

In the having a having a child in the hospital is a scary thought..

It's something many families experience.

But it may be a struggle to find a place to stay during the child's stay in the hospital.

One organization is looking to help.

Bri shackleford is in the studio to tell us more.

The ronald mcdonald house hosts families who have children staying in hospitals that are far away.

They allow families to stay as long as they need without the cost.

But....this service wouldn't be possible without you.

[take pkg outcue: of 519 nights duration:1:24] pk} your loose change could be helping families stay together in their time of need.

Everytime you go to a mcdonalds around terre haute... the cashier will ask if you would like to round up.

"we also have a program called round up.

And so what that does is at the end of your order you can round up your change and that all gets donated to the ronald mcdonald house."

If the cashier doesn't ask you to round your total up there are more ways you can donate.

At each location there are donation boxes at the register.

They even have one at the drive through.

But if you don't have time to go to a mcdonalds... there is another way you can help out.

"you can donate at any time.

Through our mcdonalds app, you can also donate 1, 3, or 5 dollars on the app."

The donations go to the rondald mcdonald charities of central indiana.

Due to covid-19 there is not a lot of hands on support jami kasprzyk and her team can offer.

Normally they would send voulnteer groups to the different houses to help in any way they can.

But....having these donation service year round give them an opprotunity to put the money elsewhere.

"so stuff such as gift cards or cannister money that go and help provide meals that they can buy and prepare for the families that are staying at the house."

The ronald mcdonald house has served 51 families from the wabash valley alone.

Those families have stayed a total of 519 nights.

Again, this is all thanks to again, this is again, this is again, this is all thanks to your donations.

Tomorrow... i'll tell you about one local family that benefited from the ronald mcdonald house... and why they hold them so