Show your stripes for Ronald McDonald House’s 40th anniversary

Philadelphia has always been a city of firsts. The birthplace of our country, our city is also known for having the first hospital, first volunteer fire company, and first public library. But did you know that the first Ronald McDonald House was established here in 1974?

Dr. Audrey Evans was a pediatric oncologist at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in 1974 and saw firsthand how difficult it was for families of sick children who had to travel to different cities, even different countries to seek treatment. Her dream of providing a home away from home for these families was brought to fruition with the help of Eagles General Manager Jimmy Murray. He was looking to make a donation to St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, where the daughter of player Fred Hill was being treated for leukemia. Murray was directed to seek out Evans instead.

After hearing Evans' plan, Murray asked McDonald's to get involved by donating the proceeds from their Shamrock Shake sales, and the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House was born on Oct. 15, 1974. Today, there are 300 houses around the world, but it all started here.

You can help the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House celebrate its 40th anniversary by purchasing your very own Ronald McDonald red-and-white striped socks during their #sockie campaign. Instead of a "selfie," take a picture of yourself wearing the striped socks on the house's birthday, Wednesday, Oct. 15, and post it on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram and tag it (@Philarmh, #PRMH40, #Sockie, #ShowYourSocks). You can also e-mail pictures to walter@philarmh.org.

"We want #sockie to be trending on the 15th, but everyone should feel free to also post pictures earlier as well," said Walter Wilkinson, social media campaign manager at the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House. "We want to go viral."

"On October 15th, we will have kickoff spots where supporters will be wearing our socks, like waitresses at Center City bars and restaurants," said Jenny Casey, special events coordinator at the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House. "Celebrities from the Eagles and the Sixers and CBS3 will also be showing their stripes that day."

"We want people to see the socks and ask questions," she added.

Leading up to the big birthday, Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House will be hosting a series of "sockie" events where people can purchases the socks.

Some of these events include: Philadelphia Eagles Game Night, Monday, Sept. 8; Yards Smoke 'em BBQ Event at Yards Brewing Company on Delaware Avenue, Sunday, Sept. 14; and Spirit Night! at Dave & Buster's, Tuesday, Sept. 16.

Wear your socks all over the city to show your love and support for the Ronald McDonald House and get the chance to win two tickets to the anniversary celebration on Friday, Oct. 17 at the Simeone Automotive Museum in Philadelphia.

"This night is just for the kids," said Casey. "There will be a red carpet, members of the original cast of 'Jersey Boys' will perform, and house families will share their stories."

The Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House has grown a lot since its first house on Spruce Street with only 7 bedrooms. Now it has two locations: The Chestnut House can serve 45 families at a time and the house at Front and Erie Streets near St. Christopher's Hospital has 20 bedrooms to offer. They also run a camp for kids with cancer and their siblings, and family rooms and hospitality kiosks in hospitals.

"It is crucial when you have a seriously ill child to have a stress-reliever and to share your feelings with other people who are in similar situations," Wilkerson said. "We try to be there for them in their time of need."

"Besides a comfortable place to stay, we provide the families with food, transportation, special programming, like art and pet therapy, as well as toys and entertainment. Kids here are happy and love to play together," he added.

Tara Cadet and her husband, Jason, both from Monmouth County, N.J., have been staying at the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House since July while her son Carter is at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. They have been basically living inside a hospital since she was put on bed rest on St. Patrick's Day, three months before Carter was born 26 weeks early at 2 pounds, 2 ounces. Her preemie son was first treated at the NICU at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, N.J. but needed to be transferred to CHOP when he was diagnosed with tracheomalacia, a condition when the trachea does not develop properly.

"The volunteers and staff are great at the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House," she said. "Having somewhere safe and comforting to stay makes the stress and negativity you are feeling ebb away."

"After many surgeries and bad days, it is nice to have a place to go at 2 a.m. to just lay your head down and rest a little. They provide you will all the things you usually take for granted."

Cadet also appreciated how the Ronald McDonald House provided her and her husband short reprieves from the hospital with tickets to a Phillies and a pre-season Eagles games.

"It was nice to get out and do something normal," she said.

Carter is now in the Progressive Care Unit at CHOP and his parents are hoping they can take him home soon.