Day 1 of the McDonald's High School All American Games from Columbus, Ohio

by  Aaron Canada and Sean Frye VA Elite Hoops.com Media - March 28, 2010

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Day One of the McDonald's All American Game Week in Columbus, Ohio saw players and coaches participating in their first team practices, but not before taking a trip to visit kids and families at the Columbus Ronald McDonald House and the Nationwide Children's Hospital across the street. The purpose of the day's visit was to allow the players to understand the true meaning behind the McDonald's All American Games.

Held for the first time in Columbus, the game provides the nation's top high school basketball players an opportunity to showcase their talents on a national stage. It also brings awareness to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), and raises money to support the 292 House Chapters worldwide, with donations reaching several million dollars since the game's inception in 1978. 

The first Ronald McDonald House was opened in Philadelphia after the 3-year-old daughter of Philadelphia Eagles' tight end Fred Hill was diagnosed with leukemia. When Hill and his wife Fran experienced the difficulty of camping out in hospital waiting rooms -- and sharing stories with other families facing the same struggles -- Fred reached out to some of his teammates.

With the assistance of Eagles' general manager Jim Murray the team offered its support to Dr. Audrey Evans, head of the pediatric oncology unit at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Funds raised from the promotion helped buy an old house located near the hospital, which was opened in 1974 as the first Ronald McDonald House. Murray also enlisted Don Tuckerman from the local McDonald’s advertising agency, who with the support of McDonald’s Regional Manager Ed Rensi, launched the St. Patrick’s Day Green Milkshake (dubbed the Shamrock Shake) promotion.

After arriving, players were treated to lunch from a local pizzeria, and were formally welcomed by Paul Thompson, CEO of the Columbus Ronald McDonald House.

"You are the elite high school athletes, and you know the work that it takes, the perseverance and how hard it is to get to this level," Thompson said. "The families who stay with us go through a similar challenge."

 "This is a home away from home for for families with seriously ill children," he explained. "Children heal a lot faster when they have interaction with their families."

After lunch the players broke off into groups to experience a range of activities with house volunteers and several children with their families. While some headed outside to play a game of H-O-R-S-E, others headed over to the kitchen area to bake cookies, while others split into smaller groups to take a tour of the facilities.