CHICAGO — Members of the Retired Professional Football Players of Chicago (RPFPC), the charitable arm of the NFL Players Association, Former Players – Chicago Chapter, are set to appear at Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children’s (211 East Grand Avenue, Chicago, Ill.) on Tuesday, February 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. CT. The players will meet with families finding care and comfort in a ‘home away from home’ while their child is receiving medical treatment at a nearby hospital.
As part of the celebration, former NFL players will offer a special meet-and-greet experience for the children and families currently staying at the House. The event will also feature an exclusive photo and autograph session for those in attendance.
“We are beyond thrilled to extend our support to a worthy cause, especially as it is very near and dear to the heart of one of our members, Brian Glasgow, whose niece currently stays at a Ronald McDonald House® in Pittsburgh,” said RPFPC President Brent Novoselsky. “Brian has shared how kind and generous Ronald McDonald House Charities has been to his family during a very difficult time, and we are honored to be able to bring it back in full circle as we proudly team up with the Chicago Ronald McDonald House location to bring smiles to the many deserving children and families.”
“We’re incredibly grateful for the partnership of RPFPC and feel very fortunate to welcome such a wonderful group of players to our Ronald McDonald House near Lurie Children’s,” said Doug Porter, CEO of RMHC-CNI. “It’s unique experiences like this that make our families feel so special and lets them know they are not alone while many of them face some very challenging times.”
For more information, visit www.rpfpc.org or www.RonaldHouseChicago.org.
ABOUT RONALD McDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES® OF CHICAGOLAND & NORTHWEST INDIANA (RMHC®-CNI)
RMHC-CNI is an independent not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to care for families of children with complex medical needs by providing a ‘home away from home’ while their child is being treated in the hospital. Every night, 153 families heal together because of the comfort, compassion and community at five area Ronald McDonald Houses® and three Ronald McDonald Family Rooms®. That’s 43,000 nights each year where RMHC-CNI families are able to stay close to their child, helping them to heal faster and saving them over $7 million in hotel costs. We are located near Advocate Children’s Hospital, Loyola University Medical Center, University of Chicago Comer Children’s Hospital, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Edward Hospital in Naperville and Central DuPage Hospital. For more information visit www.RonaldHouseChicago.org. RMHC-CNI is rated as BBB Accredited Business & Four Star Charity Navigator.
ABOUT NFL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION, FORMER PLAYERS – CHICAGO CHAPTER
The NFL Players Association, Former Players – Chicago Chapter is one of 37 former NFL player chapters in the nation. The primary function of the organization is to serve as a support system to former players and help members transition from their playing careers to life after football. The organization also aims to leverage its platform for the greater good and give back to the local community. In 2012, the Chicago chapter was voted “Chapter of the Year” for its outstanding charitable work within the Chicago community. For more information, visit www.nflpa.com/former-players.
ABOUT RETIRED PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF CHICAGO
Founded in 2003, the Retired Professional Football Players of Chicago (RPFPC) is a 501c3 not-for-profit service establishment and the charitable extension of the NFL Players Association, Former Players – Chicago Chapter. The organization is comprised of former professional football players who work voluntarily to support Chicagoland causes and charities. RPFPC primarily aims to raise funds for its annual academic scholarship program and equipment grant program for local youth. For more information, visit www.rpfpc.org.