Goodguys and Golden State Foods Team Up to Support Ronald McDonald Houses

Goodguys has joined Golden State Foods, one of the nation's largest food processors and distributors in GSF's ongoing and tireless effort to support Ronald McDonald House charities. Initially, the alliance will benefit the children and families of the Ronald McDonald houses in four Goodguys event host-cities in 2005 with designs on spreading the effort nationwide in 2006. The "Cruisin' to help kids" got off to a very successful start at the Goodguys 8th Colorado Classic in Colorado Springs. The Ronald McDonald House of Colorado Springs brought children out to the event, introducing them to the wonderful world of hot rods and customs.

"I congratulate Goodguys for having the vision to give back to the communities where they host events," said GSF Foundation Executive Director Chuck Browne, himself a longtime hot rodder.

GSF and children from local Ronald McDonald Houses will collect donations at the the 4th Mid-Western Nationals, September 23-25 in Kansas City at Kansas Speedway, the 13th Lone Star Nationals, Sept. 30th-Oct. 2 in Ft. Worth at Texas Motor Speedway and at the 12th Southeastern Nationals, October 28-30 in Charlotte, NC at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

At the end of each event, Goodguys and Golden State Foods will match dollar for dollar the charitable donations collected throughout the weekend and will hold a special check presentation prior to the event awards ceremony. Goodguys and GSF plan to build on this year's program and really get the ball rolling to help the kids for many years to come.

"We are proud to be helping these special children and their families by donating to the Ronald McDonald House Charities and showing them hot rods and custom cars up close," said Goodguys COO Marc Meadors. "We know the Goodguys members and participants will help the kids by donating what they can to support this very worthy cause."

About Ronald McDonald House Charities:

A strong mind. A strong body. And a safe, supportive place to grow. These are things that every child needs - and deserves.

Helping to provide these things is what we do.

By creating, finding and supporting programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children, Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is working to better the lives of children and their families around the world.

The three core programs of RMHC - the Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Family Room and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile - are focused on helping families in need. Our cornerstone Ronald McDonald House program began in 1974 based on a simple idea: Provide a "home away from home" for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. Since that time, more than 10 million families around the world have benefited from the comfort provided by a Ronald McDonald House.

The Ronald McDonald Family Room program extends the comfort of a Ronald McDonald House to a hospital setting. Typically located just steps from neonatal or pediatric intensive care units, the Family Room provides a place to escape the stress and tension of the hospital.

Through relationships with local health care providers, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile program brings cost-effective medical, dental and health education services directly to underserved children in both rural and urban areas around the world.

In addition to supporting the core programs, RMHC and our global network of local Chapters in 48 countries have awarded more than $400 million dollars in grants and program services worldwide to make an immediate, positive impact on as many children as possible. Together with support from hundreds of thousands of passionate and caring volunteers, donors and RMHC staff, we've had plenty of success.