RMHC honors Hereford McDonald's as round-up champion

HEREFORD - The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Amarillo celebrated the top fundraising McDonald's in the region for the quarter two round-up challenge Wednesday afternoon at the Hereford McDonalds.

As the top fundraising store over 24 other locations, Hereford McDonald’s raised $2,293.33 in the Round-Up for Ronald McDonald House Campaign. The business unit for the region, including all 25 stores, raised $13,006.86, with stores from the Texas Panhandle, east New Mexico, and Guymon, Oklahoma.

Money is raised by customers rounding up their change, which averages 43 cents per round-up transaction. The total funds raised were enough to provide 130 nights of lodging for families traveling to Amarillo to receive medical treatment.

One key factor in the success of the Hereford store, which management cited as a way to raise money, was its “Thankful Thursday Campaign,” where employees encourage customers to round up to help the mission of Ronald McDonald House. According to Ronald McDonald House officials, Deaf Smith County has been one of the top recipients yearly. There were 53 nights of comfort care and support for Hereford families during the second quarter of 2024.

As a sign of gratitude for their efforts, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Amarillo visited the Hereford store to present snacks and a shiny title belt for their fundraising efforts.

Wes Gaffney, the general manager of Hereford McDonald’s, spoke about his team’s success in persuading customers to donate to a worthy cause.

“It feels amazing that our crew works so hard for a good cause,” he said. “We really enjoy the interactions on Thankful Thursday with our customers. There are ways you can donate every single day, but we really make Thursday a day to focus on this, with every single guest asked if they want to round up their total.”

Gaffney and his team are very competitive, especially when it comes to raising funds for charity.

“There is not a Thursday that we do not make this push; it's not like it's a bad Thursday, so we do not go all out,” he said. "My team has big hearts and wants to make sure that the people who have to use Ronald McDonald House are the best they can be. My team does what they have to do to make our Thursday fundraiser happen every week."

Gaffney expressed confidence in his team’s ability to maintain their diligence in helping others.

“When you go to any other McDonald’s and you have them round up, tell them I dare them to take the belt,” Gaffney said.

Haley Matlack, the family support coordinator for the Amarillo Ronald McDonald House, spoke about the importance of these donations in the roundup program.

“This money raised will go directly to our mission in Amarillo to serve our families, many of which come from Hereford and the surrounding areas to Amarillo to have babies and take care of their children,” she said. “McDonald’s, as our founding partner, gives one penny from each Happy Meal sold, but the easiest way to support us is through the roundup program, which is a big part of serving our families."

Matlack urged customers to round up when they visit their local McDonald's to support families in need.