15 May Richmond McDonald’s Owner/Operator Community Invests in Planned Ronald McDonald House

RICHMOND, VA – The Richmond McDonald’s owner/operator community has invested a combined $3 million into Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Richmond’s Together, Hope is Closer Capital Campaign.

The owner/operators of McDonald’s stores in central Virginia committed a tremendous gift of $2 million to the $40 million Capital Campaign. Their contribution signifies McDonald’s belief in RMHC Richmond’s vision of transforming its capacity to support families seeking medical care for their children in Richmond, Virginia. Additionally, Sue Durlak, a retired McDonald’s owner/operator and current board member at RMHC Richmond, is a vocal supporter of the project and gifted an overwhelmingly generous $1 million to the Capital Campaign.

The Together, Hope is Closer Capital Campaign will fund RMHC Richmond’s planned 50-bedroom Ronald McDonald House in historic Jackson Ward. The new Ronald McDonald House will more than triple the number of sleep rooms RMHC Richmond is able to offer families in medical crisis. With the rapid expansion of Richmond’s hospital systems, the House will enable RMHC Richmond to meet the rising demand for its essential programs.

The historic $2 million gift from Richmond McDonald’s owner/operators is preceded by a legacy of McDonald’s support for RMHC Richmond. In 1978, a Co-Op of Richmond McDonald’s owner/operators purchased the house that became the Ronald McDonald House on Monument Avenue, which opened its doors in 1980. Since receiving this foundational support, RMHC Richmond has continued partnering with local McDonald’s stores to change the lives of families in medical crisis.

Durlak has served as an integral supporter of the organization since 1986. Through decades of service and leadership, Durlak advocated for RMHC Richmond’s growth among her fellow McDonald’s owner/operators and the Richmond community.

As a major donor to the Together, Hope is Closer CapitalCampaign, Durlak shares that witnessing the organization’s growth over the years fuels her passion to see the culmination of this monumental project. “Who wouldn’t want to be part of this mission,” asks Durlak. “The fact that I could play even a small part in the extraordinary impact this new House will have on families in medical crisis makes it all worth it.”

Today, Round-Up funds raised in Richmond McDonald’s stores make up approximately 10% of RMHC Richmond’s operating budget. The $2 million Capital Campaign support goes beyond the Richmond owner/operators’ Round-Up contributions to directly support the new Ronald McDonald House.

The McDonald’s owner/operators responsible for the generous $2 million Capital Campaign include: Bill Barnes, Laurie Barnes, Coleman Bishop, Carey Burnett, Jeffrey Endrusick, Giuseppe Giaimo, Isaac Green, Corey Holeman, Courtney Holeman, Thang Nguyen, Mike Traub, and Craig Welburn. As passionate supporters of RMHC Richmond’s work, these McDonald’s owner/operators understand the need for community partners like McDonald’s to contribute to the Together, Hope is Closer Capital Campaign.

“Although [McDonald’s owner/operators] are very happy with Round-Up and the donations we receive from our customers, the reality is that it is not enough,” said Corey Holeman, McDonald’s owner/operator and RMHC Richmond board member. “We know that extra funds are needed to really support this Capital Campaign. That’s why we’re stepping in and doing even more!

For Richmond’s McDonald’s owner/operators, supporting RMHC Richmond’s Capital Campaign means contributing to a project that will benefit the region their stores operate within – and for many, the community they work and live in.

“RMHC Richmond is an organization that I believe in, and I’m in a unique position as an owner/operator to make an impact on my community at large.” Mike Traub, McDonald’s owner/operator and RMHC Richmond board member, said. “When I became an owner, I knew that I wanted to be someday able to look back on my career and know that I made a lasting impact on organizations that I believe in. The Ronald McDonald House here in Richmond fits that perfectly.”

RMHC Richmond’s transformative Together, Hope is Closer Capital Campaign was announced in March 2025 and has raised $20.5 million towards its $40 million campaign goal. Learn more about the Together, Hope is Closer Capital Campaign at together.rmhc-richmond.org