The charity-related Ronald McDonald brand founded in 1974 was the Ronald McDonald House.
The first Ronald McDonald House opened in Philadelphia after Kim Hill, the daughter of Philadelphia Eagles player Fred Hill, was diagnosed with leukemia. Her medical treatment placed a heavy burden on the family, and the Eagles community helped raise money for families needing nearby accommodation.
McDonald's Philadelphia-area restaurants and suppliers became involved in the fundraising effort. The resulting house provided a place for families to stay close to hospitalized children, creating a charitable extension of the Ronald McDonald character’s public identity.
The first house led to the creation and growth of Ronald McDonald House Charities, which later supported houses, family rooms, care mobiles, and other programs in many countries. The charity is separate from the restaurant’s advertising campaigns, even though it uses related branding and names.