Good Samaritan Holds Ribbon Cutting for New Happy Wheels Cart from Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ohio Valley

Good Samaritan held a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new RMHC Happy Wheels Cart on Wednesday in partnership with local McDonald’s Owner/Operators Wally and Deb Nowakowski and Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ohio Valley.

“RMHC makes a huge difference in the lives of our community both locally and from afar,” said Nowakowski. “They provide a home away from home to people of Knox County who must travel to Evansville for extended care, and now the Happy Wheels Cart brings a bit of that hospitality to those staying locally for treatment.”

The Happy Wheels Cart will be stocked with complimentary snacks, toiletries and reading materials, as well as small toys and crafts for patients and siblings to choose from.

“When families are faced with long hours caring for hospitalized loved ones, the diversion of a snack, magazine or toy from the Happy Wheels Cart goes a long way toward lifting spirits and relieving anxiety,” said Theresa Floyd-Maas, CEO of RMHC of the Ohio Valley. “We are very pleased and excited to join with Wally and Deb to bring the Happy Wheels Cart to Good Samaritan and are very grateful for their support of the program.”

Good Samaritan's Auxiliary will be contributing to the cart to make sure it remains fully stocked.

"We are excited to partner with the Ronald McDonald House Charities through the Happy Wheels Cart program to serve patients and visitors of Good Samaritan," stated Ali McCrary, Manager of the Auxiliary. "We are blessed to have community leaders, like the Nowakowskis, who support the mission and vision of the hospital by helping to enhance the patient and visitor experience."

Along with providing the Happy Wheels cart program, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ohio Valley serves families with a sick or injured child by keeping them close to each other and to the care and resources they need. Many families must travel an hour or more for critical medical care. RMHC Ohio Valley serves these families by providing a “home away from home” at both a 10-bedroom Ronald McDonald House on the Ascension St. Vincent campus and at a 16-bedroom House on the Deaconess Gateway campus. Approximately 20 Knox County families per year are served by the RMHC Ohio Valley Chapter.

Nowakowski says he’s proud to support the work of the charity every day in his restaurants. At every visit, McDonald’s guests can Round-Up their total to the nearest dollar to support RMHC, plus, a percentage of proceeds from every Happy Meal sold is given straight to the charity.

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