2.01.2006 ET

(CSRwire) OAK BROOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 1, 2006--McDonald's Corporation today announced the donation of $50 million to children around the world benefiting from programs supported by Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC(R)) and other children's organizations. Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York and Global Ambassador for World Children's Day, and Ken Barun, President and CEO of RMHC, accepted the check at McDonald's new downtown Chicago showcase restaurant. The $50 million donation is the result of a commitment made by Jim Skinner, CEO of McDonald's Corporation as part of McDonald's 50th Anniversary celebration.

"Giving back to the community has been a part of McDonald's culture since its inception in 1955," said Jim Skinner, CEO of McDonald's. "Ray Kroc felt that it was the responsibility of a business to give back to its community which is why RMHC was founded in his honor more that 20 years ago. With 30,000 restaurants serving 50 million people every day, McDonald's, through its support of RMHC, is uniquely positioned to reach millions of children who need help."

The $50 million was raised throughout 2005 through various international, national and local McDonald's fundraising activities supported by owner/operators, suppliers, and customers. Nearly half of the funds were raised through McDonald's annual global fundraiser, World Children's Day, where countries raised funds throughout the month of November with such activities as restaurants donating a portion of product sales, celebrity concerts, walk-a-thons and gala dinners.

"There are so many children who face obstacles such as cancer, poverty, hunger and AIDS," said Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. "Together, we can help children come out of these desperate lives and in doing so, we benefit not only their communities, but the whole world."

With Chapters in 49 countries around the world, RMHC directly impacts the health and well being of children on a large scale. The $50 million will help children who vitally need it right in their own communities.

"In 2005, fundraising efforts contributed in part to the opening of 15 Ronald McDonald Houses, a home-away-from-home for families of critically ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals; 15 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, located inside hospitals so families can stay close to their children; and 5 Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles, state of the art vehicles that deliver cost-effective medical, dental and health education services to underserved children right in their own neighborhoods," said Barun.

Examples of global beneficiaries include:

-- Korea -Funds will help support a Ronald McDonald Family
Room(TM) for the Yonsei Children's Hospital.

-- Mexico - Funds will provide more than 4,000 hearing aids to
children in need through a partnership with Sistema Nacional
para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (DIF) and RMHC
Mexico.

-- Poland - 2005 funds assisted RMHC Poland with the launch of
the first European Ronald McDonald Care Mobile(TM), dedicated
to early detection of pediatric cancer.

-- Ukraine - Funds will be directed to build family rooms for the
Children's Department in the Institute of Oncology Academy of
Science Ukraine.

-- United States - More than $11 million in cash and in-kind has
been donated to children and families who are victims of
Hurricane Katrina.

-- Venezuela - World Children's Day funds will contribute to RMHC
Venezuela's support of two children's hospitals in Caracas.

About McDonald's

McDonald's is the leading global foodservice retailer with more than 30,000 restaurants serving nearly 50 million people in more than 120 countries each day. Approximately 80 percent of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent, local businessmen and women. For nutrition information, please visit www.mcdonalds.com.

About RMHC

Ronald McDonald House Charities, a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Its programs are grassroots-driven to enable the Charity to offer help where children need it most - right in their own communities. RMHC makes an immediate, positive impact on children's lives through its global network of local Chapters in nearly 50 countries and its three core programs: the Ronald McDonald House(R), Ronald McDonald Family Room and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile. RMHC and its global network of local Chapters have awarded more than $430 million in grants and program services to children's programs around the world. For more information, visit www.rmhc.org.

Copyright Business Wire 2006

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