Olympians to Visit Salt Lake City Ronald McDonald House® During Athlete Summit
PRNewswire
SALT LAKE CITY
Jun 14, 2001
Four top Olympic Medallists -- speedskater Bonnie Blair, figure skater Paul Wylie, hockey player Jack O'Callahan and freestyle skier Nikki Stone -- will visit children and families at the Salt Lake City Ronald McDonald House today as part of the third and final Athlete SUMMIT 2002.
Located at 935 E. South Temple Street, the Salt Lake City Ronald McDonald House is a home-away-from-home for the families of sick children being treated at nearby hospitals, including the Primary Children's Medical Center, The University of Utah Medical Center and Shriner's Hospital. The Salt Lake City House was completed in 1998 when it became the 100th Ronald McDonald House in the United States.
"The Salt Lake City Ronald McDonald House is at the heart of the community in Salt Lake City. The Olympians are pleased to make this special visit and lend their support to such a wonderful cause," said Mary Klever, Associate Director of Athlete Services, USOC.
The Athlete's visit to the Ronald McDonald House is part of The United States Olympic Committee's third and final Athlete SUMMIT 2002. The Athlete SUMMIT, being held from June 14 - 17 in Deer Valley, Utah, brings together many of America's top Olympic hopefuls preparing for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City along with a steering committee of medal-winning Olympians.
"We are delighted to host these outstanding Olympians and role models at the Ronald McDonald House," said Jill Little, Director of Development at the Salt Lake City Ronald McDonald House. "Their visit will be very meaningful to the children and families staying here, in the center of all the Olympic excitement."
The athletes visiting the Ronald McDonald House are members of the Summit steering committee and some of America's most recognized Olympians. Bonnie Blair, the most decorated female athlete in the history of the Winter Games, won a gold and bronze medal in speed skating at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, Canada; two gold medals in the 1992 Albertville, France Games; and two gold medals in the 1994 Games in Lillehammer, Norway. Jack O'Callahan won gold in hockey at the memorable 1980 Olympic Winter Games in Lake Placid, New York. Nikki Stone won gold in the 1998 Olympic Winter Games as a freestyle skier for the U.S. Team. Paul Wylie won silver in Albertville as a member of the U.S. Figure Skating Team.
Ronald McDonald House Charities, a non-profit, 501(c)3, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children through its network of 167 local Charities currently serving in 34 countries. The Charity makes grants to not-for-profit organizations and provides support to Ronald McDonald Houses and Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles worldwide. To date, Ronald McDonald House Charities' national body and global network of local Charities have awarded more than $300 million to children's programs. For more information on Ronald McDonald House Charities and its global and local community efforts, visit the Ronald McDonald House Charities Web site at http://www.rmhc.org/ or call 630-623-7048.
CONTACT: Palmer Moody of McDonald's, 630-623-5372, or 630-660-6783 on-site cell; or Cindy Pettersen of Burson-Marsteller for McDonald's, 312-596-3494.
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990916/MCDLOGOSOURCE: Ronald McDonald House
Contact: Palmer Moody of McDonald's, 630-623-5372, or on-site cell,
630-660-6783; or Cindy Pettersen of Burson-Marsteller for McDonald's,
312-596-3494
Website: http://www.rmhc.org/
Website: http://www.media.mcdonalds.com/