Carolina Handling is supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities in six Southeastern cities with a donation of more than $25,000 to the Adopt-A-Room programs in Atlanta, GA, Birmingham, AL, Greenville, SC, Winston-Salem, NC, Durham, NC and Charlotte, NC.

This year, Carolina Handling has designated children with critical illness as the primary focus of the company’s philanthropic efforts. This new initiative was launched during a companywide fiscal year kickoff event in April where associates purchased 2,552 pies at $5 each to toss at their managers and other company leaders. A dollar-for-dollar match by the company brought the Pies for a Purpose fundraising total to $25,520.

“Service has been a core value at Carolina Handling since the company’s founding in 1966, with caring for each other, our customers and our community an integral part of our culture,” said President & CEO Brent Hillabrand. “Our associates believe in being active participants when it’s time to help those in need in the communities where we live and work. The Pies for a Purpose Fundraiser is a meaningful example of that culture of caring.”

Ronald McDonald Charities was selected to receive the donation from the April fundraiser as an organization that provides overnight accommodations and meals for families with children in nearby hospitals to ensure they can remain actively involved in their child's care. The Adopt-A-Room program helps maintain the houses’ guest rooms with all the comforts of home, from painting and fixtures to bedding and televisions. 

“We are honored to welcome Carolina Handling as one of our newest supporters. Our work is only possible with the support of our partners, and as an Adopt-A-Room sponsor, Carolina Handling is helping offset the expenses of hosting our families. We look forward to developing this relationship and working with Carolina Handling to continue serving our families.” 

- Alissa Scherb, Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities.

The Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham has welcomed more than 47,000 families since it opened in 1979. The house was expanded to nearly double its size in 2018 to include 73 guest suites, including five apartment-style suites. The house also features a toy store stocked with donated items where families can shop for free, an exercise room and a rebuilt playground/patio area.

“We are grateful for community partners like Carolina Handling. When you adopt a room at the Ronald McDonald House, you provide families seeking medical care for their sick or injured child with private accommodations, family programs, a loving support system and a temporary home away from home." 

- Michael Lanier, Development Manager at Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas.

 “We’re so grateful to Carolina Handling for supporting the families of seriously ill children by helping them stay close to their kids being treated at Duke and WakeMed Children’s Hospitals. This donation will help relieve burdens so parents can focus on the most important thing – the well-being of a sick child.”

- Oie Osterkamp, CEO of Ronald McDonald House of Durham & Wake 

“This is a welcome gift. Our families have so many things upon which to focus, so staying in comfortable surroundings and being able to take part in our evening meals and other activities are great stress relievers, especially with the knowledge someone was kind enough to pay for their stay.”

- Chuck Kraft, Chief Executive Officer, Ronald McDonald House Charities Piedmont Triad. 

“A huge thank you from our staff and families for adopting Room 201 for an entire year! We thank you for helping us continue our mission of providing comfort and care for families facing some of the hardest times of their lives.”

- Kristin Young, Chief Advancement Officer, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte