RONALD Mc Donald house charities^® of southern california

More Than $100,000 Donated During Three-Year Partnership

Los Angles County Fair Association executives will present a check to Nicole Rubin, chief executive officer and Carol Horvitz, corporate development officer of the Ronald McDonald House Charities^® of Southern California Tuesday, Nov. 25 at noon at the Pasadena Ronald McDonald House, 765 S. Pasadena Ave., Pasadena, Calif.

Through a multi-year sponsorship agreement between the Los Angeles County Fair Association (LACFA) and McDonald’s Corporation, the world’s largest chain of fast food restaurants, the company sponsors McDonald’s Wednesdays at the L.A. County Fair. The program offers a special Fair admission for McDonald’s customers who pick up a voucher at participating Southern California McDonald’s restaurants.

LACFA donates 10 percent of the proceeds from McDonald’s Wednesdays to Ronald McDonald House Charities, which provide inexpensive, and often free, lodging for families whose children are undergoing treatment for cancer or other serious illnesses.

Over the three-year period of the sponsorship, McDonald’s has been presenting sponsor of two of the Fair’s most important educational exhibits: America’s Kids/Education Expo and FairView Farms, the Fair’s operational farm where McDonald’s incorporates its “fresh ingredients” message for healthy eating and the need for children to lead active, balanced lifestyles.

Participation in McDonald’s Wednesdays has grown, increasing the amount donated by the Fair to Ronald McDonald House Charities from $16,888 in 2006 to $34,000 in 2007 and $52,054 in 2008.

“A core mission of the Los Angeles County Fair Association is commitment to community and our partnership with McDonald’s Corporation is an important part of the ongoing contribution we make,” said Dale Coleman, the Association’s vice president of sales, marketing and creative programming. “We are proud to have raised more than $100,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities while partnering with McDonald’s to provide a healthy lifestyle message to our young Fairguests.”

The Los Angeles County Fair Association is a not-for-profit 501(c)(5) corporation. In 2007 LACFA provided more than 8,000 hours of community service and donated more than $1.7 million in cash and in-kind contributions to the community.

For more information about the L.A. County Fair, visit lacountyfair.com or fairplex.com.

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