When the idea of putting a Ronald McDonald House in Morgantown was introduced in the late 1980s, the community rallied and made the House a reality. Today, that same community support continues. In this issue of Feel Good Friday news, check out some of the many ways the Morgantown community makes a difference for the families who rely on the Charity.

Making Room for Families

Thanks to a lead gift of $2 million from CONSOL Energy to the More Than Just a House Campaign and the support of many others, the construction for the expansion and renovation project at Ronald McDonald House Morgantown is well underway. This transformational project will add 11 rooms, renovate the current rooms, and redesign communal spaces for increased accessibility, providing more comfort to more families traveling to the Morgantown area for their child’s medical care. The Morgantown House has remained open during the construction process.

Hoagy's Heroes Rides for the Charity

Hoagy’s passion for motorcycles began in 1972 when his father introduced him to riding. A pastime he enjoys so much, he turned it into a way to help others, creating Hoagy’s Heroes.

In 2003, Hoagy’s Heroes hosted its first ride for charity. Since then, the organization has traveled over one million miles to 49 states and raised more than $345,000 for children’s charities.

RMHC Pittsburgh and Morgantown is one of the organizations Hoagy’s Heroes supports. For more than a decade, the group has been hosting a Pop Tab Run for the Ronald McDonald House. Each year, Hoagy and the riders deliver pull tabs that they have collected all year long to Ronald McDonald House Morgantown. The riders deliver an impressive number of tabs which are then recycled, supporting the families staying at the Charity. This year Hoagy’s Heroes delivered 400 gallons of pull tabs.

Annual Pumpkin Drop Provides Smashing Support

WVU’s American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has supported RMHC Pittsburgh and Morgantown and its mission from the beginning as the first Pumpkin Drop was held in 1987 to help raise funds for the construction of the Morgantown House. This annual fall festive event invites elementary, middle, and high school students from across the region to design their own contraption that will protect a 10-inch pumpkin when it is dropped from the top of the Engineering Sciences Building. The pumpkins that best withstand the treacherous 11-story fall and come closest to the target on the ground, will be considered as finalists.



This year’s event will be held on October 27. Before and during the event, participants had the opportunity to purchase t-shirts with this year’s Pumpkin Drop logo, benefiting Ronald McDonald House.

Physician Runs Chicago Marathon for RMHC Families

When Morgantown physician, Guy Monteleone, M.D., runs in the Chicago Marathon this weekend, he will be doing it for a reason bigger than himself. Inspired by the stories of the families staying at Ronald McDonald House Morgantown, he will be running for them.

Dr. Monteleone, a Family Physician and Sports Medicine Physician at WVU School of Medicine, began his running career nearly two decades ago for health and fitness reasons. Over the years, he participated in several half marathons and ran in the Marine Corps Marathon. Wanting to give back to his community, he will participate in the Chicago Marathon by fundraising for the Charity, raising nearly $4,000 thus far.



“Morgantown has its own Ronald McDonald House that helps many kids and their families when difficulty strikes and their child gets an illness that only WVU School of Medicine can help with,” said Dr. Monteleone.

WVU Pulls for the Houses

The Student Government Association Campus at West Viriginia University is collecting pull tabs for RMHC Pittsburgh and Morgantown throughout the school year. Containers are placed all over campus. When the collection is complete, the tabs will be recycled for cash with all proceeds being donated to support RMHC families.

Heroes for Hope Pi-K Keeps Families Together

The sisters of The Alpha Delta Pi sorority at West Virginia Wesleyan College held the Heroes for Hope Pi-K run/walk fundraiser event on Saturday, Sept. 30, to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown. With both community, alumni and current college students participating, it was a great way to bring people together for a wonderful cause. The sisters coordinated the event, worked with local media outlets, sold t-shirts and obtained prizes. Proceeds from the event will provide 8 nights of stay for families at RMHC Pittsburgh and Morgantown.