Ronald McDonald Houses--Haven for Families of Seriously Ill Children-$1.00 Campaign

Early Tuesday morning, Riley Clements, 4, will have a kidney transplant at Children's Health Care of Atlanta at Egleston.

For his mom and dad, Theresa and Chester Clements of Blackshear, Georgia, the closest thing to home is around the corner from the Hospital at the Ronald McDonald House.

"We thought we would have to move here. Family and all of our support is back where we live. There was really no way to move here. So without the Ronald McDonald House I don't know what we would do," said Theresa Clements. "At the end of a long day at the Hospital, you come home. There is supper here and our just rest here."

Located on Gatewood Road, just behind Egleston, the 50-room Ronald McDonald House was opened in June, 2008.

A second home with 11 rooms is on Peachtree Dunwoody Road.

Both are now part of a major nationwide fundraising effort, One Dollar at a time.

The response so far, say metro Atlanta McDonalds owners, is overwhelming.

Every time someone at an individual McDonalds contributes $1.00 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities, the staff rings a bell. At one McDonald's location in DeKalb County, the bell has already gone off 2,300 times.

"It means a whole lot to us," said one customer.

Another said, "It's to help these children that need to be helped."

Last year, 278 Metro Atlanta McDonalds raised almost $170,000, a 42% increase despite the bottom falling out of the economy.

And this Friday -- McDonald's kicks in its own $1.00 for every extra value meal it sells.

"Words can't say what Ronald McDonald means to us. They have helped us financially and supported us. When he was first born (Riley), they didn't know how long he was going to live. The McDonald House is like a home away from home. Like having another family," said Chester Clements.

Strong bonds at a most difficult time in a place so many families call home.