05 Jul Community Invited To Celebrate “Christmas in July” With Ronald McDonald House Charities of CNY

Posted at 10:21h in Events, News by

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central New York is celebrating “Christmas in July” and encouraging community members to collect and donate items from its wish list. All items will help support the many guest families with seriously ill children who travel to Syracuse for medical care and rely on the CNY Ronald McDonald House as a comfortable place to stay.

“In 2022 alone, 450 family members stayed with us for a total of 2,368 nights. With so many families, there is a high demand for food, drinks and everyday household items,” said Beth Trunfio, executive director, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central New York. “Through our ’Christmas in July’ donation drive, community members can help us restock our pantry shelves and replenish our supply of key items.”

The nonprofit’s complete “Christmas in July” wish list can be found here. Items include, but are not limited to:

  • Food and drink items: grab-and-go meals and snacks that are individually packaged, including macaroni and cheese cups, pastries and Pop-Tarts, cereal, canned goods, sugar packets, K-Cup pods and non-dairy creamer
  • Household items: food prep gloves, 13-gallon trash bags, to-go coffee cups with lids and assorted paper goods such as toilet paper and paper towels
  • Toys and games: baby dolls, Lego-type blocks and games and crafts for teens
  • Gift cards: Wegmans, Target and Walmart

“Currently, one of our greatest needs is for gift cards to local grocery stores,” said Trunfio. “Gift cards are extremely useful because they enable us to purchase items of immediate need and perishable products more easily throughout the year to help ensure the continued comfort of guest families.”

In celebration of “Christmas in July,” community members are encouraged to collect wish list items throughout the month. All donations must be new and unopened to safeguard the health of the seriously ill children the organization serves.

Donations can be dropped off on Thursday, July 27, 2023 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the CNY Ronald McDonald House at 1100 E. Genesee St., Syracuse. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and available to anyone who makes a drop-off during that timeframe. For alternate drop-off times, or for more information, please contact Courtney Schiller at cschiller@rmhcny.org or 315-476-1027.

Community members can also celebrate “Christmas in July” by purchasing items from the organization’s Amazon Wish List. The list includes larger items and a wider selection of household products, food and infant supplies. Donations purchased through Amazon will be delivered directly to the CNY Ronald McDonald House.

To learn more about Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central New York and other ways to get involved, visit rmhcny.org.