“Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) of the Bluegrass knows that a family with a sick child is a sick family. That is why we are passionate about enabling and promoting family-centered care, a critically important part of caring for and supporting children with serious medical conditions,” according to RMHC Director of Development Chelsi McDonald and RMHC Director of Operations Beth White.

While RMHC of the Bluegrass benefits from being part of a global charity with McDonald’s as the largest corporate partner, only 20% of their operating budget comes from McDonald’s and primarily from locally-owned restaurants. 80% of the budget relies on local community support to help achieve their goals. “Most recently, Independence Bank partnered with us to create a one-of-a-kind coloring book for families with sick children who spend long days by their child’s bedside. We are thrilled to show kids and their families calling the Ronald McDonald House their home away from home how much their community cares about them and is rooting for them.”

Independence Bank Lexington Market President Stacy Berge says, “Occupied hands can help reduce worry, and art can be therapeutic. With that in mind, we wanted to develop a project with RMHC for all ages of the family – adults and children. Independence Bank extended a ‘call for art’ across our markets, and we’re in the process of creating an all-ages activity and coloring book to help bring some light to the long days.”

Originally published in TOPS Lexington, November 2022