MaineBusiness.com

Skowhegan, Maine – The Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) of Maine recently awarded a $3,000 grant to the Somerset County Association of Resource Providers (SCARP) for the Skowhegan Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program. The funds will be used to support the program’s Teen Advisory Group, teen-created Public Service Announcements, discussion/education sessions with teens, and development of peer-lead programs for teens and parents.

“Somerset County and Skowhegan, specifically, have high rates of teen pregnancy, more than twice the state average,” said Cidalia Thibault, a nurse at Redington Fairview General Hospital and a member of the Program’s Board of Directors. “Our goal is to reduce that rate and to help teens make healthy decisions about sex, including delaying first sexual behavior.”

“Our program is unique because we work hard to involve teens in developing strategies,” said Anna Court, Coordinator of the Program. “We also have a strong focus on parent education and support, and a committed Board of Directors,” said Christina Hughes, Board Member and owner of Northern Leathers and Tattoo in Skowhegan.

RMHC of Maine Board President Gary Eckmann and McDonald’s® Owner/Operator Mike Ortins presented a check to the Program at the Skowhegan McDonald’s on November 20, the final day of McDonald’s McHappy Day celebration, a ten-day fundraiser for RMHC. Ortins noted that the Skowhegan restaurant sold more than 2,000 Hands at $1 each – monies that go directly to RMHC. In addition, on November 20, McDonald’s donated $1 to RMHC for every Breakfast and Beef Sandwich Extra Value Meal sold.

“Thank you to all of our customers who have supported this year’s McHappy Day,” said Ortins. “Your contributions allow RMHC of Maine to continue to support important programs such as this one.”

“The RMHC of Maine board is proud to provide funding to The Skowhegan Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program that serves more than 900 area families,” said Eckmann. “Through donations and fundraisers such as McHappy Day, RMHC of Maine has been able to grant more than $1.5 million to local organizations that help children and families lead happier, healthier and more productive lives.”

The Skowhegan Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program is in its fourth year. Previously funded by the Family Planning Association of Maine, the Program is now funded by community groups, local businesses and corporations. Its goal is to delay first sexual behavior, help youth delay pregnancy until they have accomplished some of their goals, and support parents and other caring adults in guiding youth to make healthy decisions about sex. The Program works closely with MSAD #54 staff, business and civic leaders, and the medical community. For more information, contact Anna Court, Program coordinator (474-8691, annaleecourt@yahoo.com).

Information about RMHC of Maine can be found on the web at www.rmhcmaine.org.
There, non-profit organizations will find information about the grant application process including qualifications to apply. Contact information for making donations to RMHC of Maine is also posted on the Website. More information is also available by phoning: (207) 990-2763.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maine
RMHC of Maine was founded in 1989 by a group of owner/operators of McDonald’s® restaurants in Maine and eastern New Hampshire as a means of giving back to their communities by supporting the children of Maine. Since then, RMHC of Maine has grown from a small not-for-profit organization to a powerful force of change in our communities and in our children’s lives. Over the past 20 years, RMHC of Maine has granted more than $1.5 million to local children’s programs that have made a measurable impact in our communities. For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities, visit www.rmhcmaine.org.

The Maine McDonald's Owner/Operator Association is a collaboration of 14 local McDonald's franchisees with 62 convenient restaurant locations throughout Maine and eastern New Hampshire, many with drive-thru service, extended hours, and Wi-Fi. The Maine McDonald's Owner Operator Association provides support to the Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Maine and the two Ronald McDonald Houses® in Bangor and Portland. For more information about McDonald's in Maine, visit www.mcmaine.com.

About McDonald's:
McDonald's USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. For more information on McDonald's visit www.mcdonalds.com or log on at any of the 10,000 Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants. More information about McHappy Day can be found at www.mcdonalds.com/mchappyday