Fifteen Area Latino Students Awarded More than $20,000 in College Scholarships

Ronald McDonald House Charities(R) (RMHC(R)) of the Philadelphia Region, Inc.
Announces the 2009 Ronald McDonald House Charities(R)/Hispanic American
Commitment to Educational Resources (HACER) Scholarship Recipients

PHILADELPHIA, April 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC)
of the Philadelphia Region is proud to announce the 15 local Latino high
school seniors who will each receive a 2009 RMHC/Hispanic American Commitment
to Educational Resources (HACER) college scholarship. (See winners list
below.)

"McDonald's and RMHC are proud to recognize this year's HACER winners as
distinguished role models within the Latino community," said Rosa Rosado,
President of the Philadelphia Hispanic McDonald's Owner/Operator Association.
"McDonald's and RMHC strongly support education initiatives in the Greater
Philadelphia Region and hope to inspire more students to pursue their dreams
of attaining a higher level of education."

The students will be recognized at a special awards celebration on Tuesday,
May 12, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Down Town Club in Philadelphia. The
evening will feature a keynote address from Ugly Betty actress and
Philadelphia native, Ana Ortiz, as well as live music and dance performances.

Winner selection is based on academic achievement, community service and
financial need. Since 1995, more than $200,000 in HACER scholarships has been
awarded to students in the Greater Philadelphia Region.

RMHC of the Philadelphia Region, Inc., is dedicated to supporting programs
that improve the lives of children and families. RMHC "lifts children to a
better tomorrow" through scholarship programs for high school seniors; the
Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey and Delaware Ronald McDonald Houses; the St.
Christopher's Foundation for Children Ronald McDonald Care Mobile; and grants
to not-for-profit organizations.

McDonald'sUSA, 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, including more than 300 McDonald's restaurants in the Greater
Philadelphia Region, 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. Visit
www.mcstate.com for local restaurant, career and program information.

Milagros Adorno
Fairhill Community High School
Philadelphia

Carlos Alonzo
Woodbury Jr. Sr. High School
Woodbury, NJ

Cristina Cabrera
Moorestown Friends School
Moorestown, NJ

Lucio Campanur
Reading High School
Reading, Pa.

Alejandra Hand
Rancocas Valley Regional High School
Mt. Holly, NJ

Lucero Hernandez Almanza
Kennett High School
Kennett Square, Pa.

Vanessa Herrera
Esperanza Academy Charter High School
Philadelphia

Gabrielle Martinez
Moorestown Friends School
Moorestown, NJ

Christian Miguel
Bridgeton High School
Bridgeton, NJ

Arlinda Nunez
Samuel S. Fels High School
Philadelphia

Leandro Perez
Louis E. Dieruff High School
Allentown, Pa.

Carolina Ramirez
Swenson Arts and Technology
Philadelphia

Gladys Rodriguez
Esperanza Academy Charter High School
Philadelphia

Nicole Sanchez
Cavalry Christian Academy
Dover, Del.

Jessica Serrano
Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School
Philadelphia

Contact:
Jennifer Slobotkin
Tierney Communications
215-790-4338
jslobotkin@tierneyagency.com

SOURCE Ronald McDonald House Charities

Jennifer Slobotkin of Tierney Communications, +1-215-790-4338,
jslobotkin@tierneyagency.com