Bob Stoltz, owner and operator of Wheeling McDonald's restaurants, left, presents Maggie Cave, development associate for events and community for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown, with a $7,307 check from his restaurants' Give-A-Heart fundraiser held in February. (Photo by Derek Redd)

Local McDonald’s restaurants on Tuesday were able to give the Ronald McDonald House chapter a nice financial boost with more than $7,000 in donations.

The restaurant group owned by the Stoltz family presented Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown a $7,307 check for the local chapter through its annual Give-A-Heart fundraiser. In the first two weeks of February, customers at participating McDonald’s were able to buy a paper heart for $1.

Wheeling McDonald’s Owner/Operator Bob Stoltz said it was great to see the restaurant walls covered in hearts, showing the generosity of the Ohio Valley.

“We know that the Ronald McDonald House needs all the support it can get,” Stoltz said. “It’s such a great cause and we’re really thankful for our customers for donating.

“I come across people all the time – our employees and just people in the community who tell me they use Ronald McDonald House and what a help it was, such a blessing it was for them to have a place to come when they’re going through that tough time with their kids.”

Ronald McDonald House programs and services help alleviate some of the financial burdens for families who have to travel great distances for their children’s healthcare. According to the organization’s website, in 2025, Ronald McDonald Houses over more than 60 countries and regions accommodated 2.8 million overnight stays and saved more than $678 million in meal and lodging expenses.

“It’s incredible, absolutely incredible,” said Maggie Cave, development associate for events and community for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Pittsburgh and Morgantown. “We’re so thankful for this partnership. This isn’t the first year they’ve done this for us and it continues to grow. We’re so thankful for all our McDonald’s partners, especially when they put on campaigns like this for us.”