Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa submitted the following:

IOWA CITY – Often, spare change is just something to lose, but at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa (RMHC of Eastern Iowa) it makes a big difference. On Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010, RMHC of Eastern Iowa asks supporters to drop off their extra pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters at local McDonald’s restaurants to help support the non-profit’s programs.

The small change adds up over the course of the year, as funds raised from donation boxes in area McDonald’s are budgeted to account for nearly 20% of RMHC of Eastern Iowa’s fundraising income this year. Monies raised support both the cornerstone program, the Ronald McDonald House, as well as RMHC of Eastern Iowa’s scholarship and grants program.

“Of course, we want to raise money on Sept, 9. However, I believe that the more important impact is that Day of Change is a recognition that everyone can work together to make a big difference, no matter how small their individual contribution,” said RMHC of Eastern Iowa Executive Director Kristin Roberts.

Area restaurants participating include McDonald’s restaurants in Anamosa, Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Center Point, Coralville, Dubuque, Dyersville, Evansdale, Independence, Iowa City, Marion, New Hampton, Oelwein, Vinton, Waterloo, Washington, Waverly, West Branch, and Williamsburg; and Platteville and Lancaster, Wis.

Donations of change will also be accepted at the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa located at 730 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City.

For more information, please contact Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa at (319) 356.3939 or visit the website at www.rmhc-eaterniowa.org.

Founded in 1985, Ronald McDonald House of Iowa City, a 31-room “home away from home” for families with children receiving critical medical care in Iowa City, is the cornerstone program of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa. RMHC of Eastern Iowa also supports not-for-profit children’s programs and students making a difference in Eastern Iowa through its grants and scholarships program. For more information, please visit www.rmhc-easterniowa.org.