Apartment Facility Exclusively Designed For Long-Term Care

    SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Against the global backdrop
of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, Mike Eruzione, Johann Olav Koss and
McDonald's World Champion Crew gathered today to dedicate a new Ronald
McDonald House in Salt Lake City.  Among the first-of-its-kind, this new House
features private apartments to address the needs of families whose children
are immune-compromised and require long-term care.  It is located at 130 South
800 East, just four blocks from Salt Lake City's first Ronald McDonald House.
    "This new Ronald McDonald House will provide comfort and care to families
throughout Salt Lake City and to families who will travel here from around the
world for their special medical needs," said Ken Barun, President and CEO of
Ronald McDonald House Charities(R).  "It's very exciting to be dedicating this
Ronald McDonald House, the 215th to open in the world, surrounded by the
spirit and international atmosphere of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games."
    The new Salt Lake House offers 15 private apartments for families whose
children are immune-compromised and require ongoing treatment.  To help ease
their financial burden, families can stay at the House virtually free of
charge.
    Work on the house began in August 2001 and the facility will officially be
ready for families next month.
    During the dedication ceremony, Olympic champions Mike Eruzione, captain
of the gold medal 1980 U.S. Men's Hockey Team, and Johann Olav Koss, four-time
gold medalist in speed skating from Norway, emphasized the importance of being
good at what you do, but also being good to others.  McDonald's World Champion
Crew were honored as well for their outstanding job performance and
achievements.
    "McDonald's World Champion Crew embody the Olympic ideals and values of
excellence, determination, commitment and hard work," said Eruzione.  "These
outstanding individuals will remember their experience at these Olympic Winter
Games for the rest of their lives."
    Just as the world's athletes competed for a coveted slot on their
country's Olympic team, McDonald's 1.3 million crew at 29,000 restaurants in
121 countries competed for a spot on McDonald's World Champion Crew team.
These 400 top-performers from five continents were chosen based on criteria
such as service, speed, accuracy, personality and teamwork, which reflect the
operational requirements at all McDonald's restaurants.
    Ronald McDonald House Charities, a non-profit, 501(c) 3, creates, finds
and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of
children worldwide.  Its goal is to make an immediate, positive impact on as
many children as possible through its global network of 171 local Charities in
44 countries.
    In addition to its cornerstone Ronald McDonald House and Ronald McDonald
Care Mobile programs, the Charity makes grants to not-for-profit organizations
to help children everywhere.  To date, Ronald McDonald House Charities'
national body and global network of local Chapters have awarded more than
$300 million in grants to children's programs worldwide.
    The Salt Lake Games mark McDonald's third Olympic Games as a TOP Global
Sponsor and the fourth as the Official Restaurant of the Olympic Games.
McDonald's is the world's leading foodservice retailer with more than 29,000
restaurants, serving nearly 46 million people each day in 121 countries.  More
than 80 percent of McDonald's restaurants around the world are owned and
operated by independent, local businessmen and women.

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