Ronald McDonald House Atlantic Rise and Shine PJ Walk

The Perfect Excuse to Go Out in Your PJs!
Rise & Shine PJ Walk for Kids launches in three Maritime cities
in support of families with sick children

CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI, March 28, 2017 – Ronald McDonald House Charities® Atlantic announced today that the first annual Rise & Shine PJ Walk for Kids presented by ServiceMaster Restore will take place in Charlottetown, Halifax, and Moncton on June 11, 2017. Funds raised will support Maritime families with sick children.

“We are so excited to introduce this fun, family-focused, fundraising event to Prince Edward Island,” says Shauna MacLennan, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities® Atlantic. “Last year alone, we served 192 Island families helping to keep them close to each other, and the care they need, when they needed it most.”

The Rise & Shine PJ Walk for Kids will take place on Sunday, June 11th at Confederation Landing Park. The morning will start with a pancake breakfast hosted by the Parkdale Sherwood Lions Club, followed by a 1km or 3km walk in PJs with en route entertainment, capped off with a post-walk celebration with activities and snacks for the whole family to enjoy.

Brad Richards, retired NHL player, 2-time Stanley Cup Winner, and Islander, is the Honorary Chair of the Rise & Shine PJ Walk for Kids.

“When I was a young boy my cousin and best friend, Jamie, was diagnosed with cancer. Since we lived on Prince Edward Island, he had to make numerous trips to Halifax for treatment. Luckily, he and his family were able to stay at Ronald McDonald House on some of those visits,” says Richards. “I’m grateful that the House was there for my family then, and I’m thankful it still is today for families from across the Maritimes. This event is a great way to ensure that Ronald McDonald House is there for our friends, family and neighbours if the need arises. I encourage everyone to get out their PJs and get involved on June 11th!”

Families can register and begin to fundraise for the Rise & Shine PJ Walk for Kids by visiting www.rmhatlantic.ca. There will be an early bird draw for everyone who registers by April 15th with a prize for a family admission to Shining Waters Family Fun Park.

“We are grateful for the local team of incredibly dedicated Islanders and sponsors helping us organize this year’s event,” says Kim Griffin, PEI Committee Chair. “Many of us did not realize that hundreds of Island families were in need of a place to stay when seeking medical care in Halifax.”

This event would not be possible without the support of Presenting Sponsor ServiceMaster Restore, Regional Sponsors Killam Apartment REIT, McDonald’s Maritime Owner Operators and Terrapure Environmental, and local sponsors Maritime Electric Ltd, Stewart McKelvey, Amalgamated Dairies Limited (ADL), Murphy’s Pharmacies, and Superior Sanitation.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities® Atlantic
Ronald McDonald House Charities® Atlantic helps keep families close to each other, and the care they need, when they need it most. Our programs include Ronald McDonald House®, a home-away-from-home for out of town families with sick children, and Ronald McDonald Family Rooms®, an oasis of calm and support inside the walls of the hospital. In 2016, we served more than 2,200 families from across the Maritimes. www.rmhatlantic.ca