Thank You Day celebrates employees across 74 restaurants and 11 Owner/Operators whose efforts help support families throughout the region.
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (October 16, 2026) – Ronald McDonald House Ohio Valley is celebrating McDonald’s employees across its 52-county service region during Thank You Day, a nationwide initiative recognizing the restaurant teams whose daily efforts help support families when children need healthcare.
Staff, board members, and volunteers are visiting McDonald’s restaurants throughout southern Indiana, western Kentucky, and southern Illinois to personally thank employees, recognize their fundraising efforts, and share the impact of their contributions. The region’s 74 participating restaurants are operated by 11 McDonald’s Owner/Operators whose ongoing partnership helps support Ronald McDonald House programs and services throughout the Ohio Valley. Across the region, approximately 4,000 employees help make the program possible.
In 2025, customers at the region’s 74 participating McDonald’s restaurants donated over $1 million through Round-Up for Ronald McDonald House. The program invites customers to round up their purchases to the nearest dollar, with the additional change donated to support Ronald McDonald House programs and services.
“We work closely with our McDonald’s partners throughout the year, and it’s important that their teams understand the impact they’re making,” said Olivia Payne, Community Engagement Manager at Ronald McDonald House Ohio Valley. “These employees are often the ones introducing customers to our mission, one interaction at a time. Being able to visit their restaurants, celebrate their success, and personally thank them is one of the most rewarding parts of our partnership.”
Thank You Day takes place in conjunction with the anniversary of the first Ronald McDonald House, which opened in Philadelphia on October 15, 1974. McDonald’s played an instrumental role in establishing that first House and has remained the organization’s founding and forever mission partner for more than five decades.
The recognition also comes during a milestone week for Ronald McDonald House Ohio Valley, which unveiled its refreshed global brand on Thursday. While the organization’s look continues to evolve, its longstanding partnership with McDonald’s remains central to supporting families throughout the region.
“Supporting Ronald McDonald House has been part of our family’s McDonald’s business for generations,” said Michael Burrell, a third-generation McDonald’s Owner/Operator with Burrell Family McDonald’s. “Our restaurant teams take pride in knowing that something as simple as asking customers to Round-Up can make a real difference for families in our communities. We’re grateful to our employees and customers who continue to make that support possible.”
Among the region’s 74 participating restaurants, the McDonald’s location in Tell City, Indiana, led the Ohio Valley in Round-Up contributions for 2025, raising $41,116.33. The restaurant is operated by the Kenworthy family, whose commitment to Ronald McDonald House also includes the service of Owner/Operator Katie Kenworthy on the organization’s Board of Directors.
“Our Tell City team has really embraced Round-Up, and we’re proud of what they’ve accomplished,” said Katie Kenworthy, McDonald’s Owner/Operator and board member of Ronald McDonald House Ohio Valley. “It’s a reflection of employees who consistently take the time to ask and customers who choose to give. Knowing those contributions help families right here in our region makes that accomplishment even more meaningful.”
Today, the McDonald’s partnership supports families locally through Ronald McDonald House Ohio Valley’s two Houses in Evansville and Newburgh, along with its Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, Family Rooms, and Care Carts serving communities throughout the region.
“Our partnership with McDonald’s has been part of our story since the very beginning, and it’s just as important to our mission today,” said Skylar Hagerman, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Ohio Valley. “From the Owner/Operators who champion our mission to the employees who ask customers to Round-Up every day, we’re grateful for the people who make this partnership so meaningful. And to every customer who chooses to give, thank you for helping us be there for families when they need us most.”
Community members can support Ronald McDonald House Ohio Valley by choosing to Round-Up during their next visit to a participating McDonald’s restaurant or by learning more about our McDonald’s partnership.
About Ronald McDonald House Ohio Valley
Ronald McDonald House Ohio Valley provides essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare. Serving 52 counties across southern Indiana, western Kentucky, and southern Illinois, the organization operates two Ronald McDonald House locations and provides hospital-based and community programs that help families remain close when children need medical care.
Media Contact
Summer Aldridge, Communications Manager
Ronald McDonald House Ohio Valley
[email protected]