7th Annual Unwrapping Holiday Wishes Event Brings Joy to Richmond Children

Now in its 7th year, Unwrapping Holiday Wishes is a collaborative initiative led by the VCU Alumni Association Richmond Chapter The VCU Alumni Association Richmond Chapter, in partnership with Richmond City Public Schools, McDonald’s, and Target to bring holiday cheer to Richmond-area children and support the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Annual Unwrapping Holiday Wishes event today at the Target in the White Oak Shopping Center on Laburnum Avenue in Richmond.

Photo by On Three Photography When: December 10, 2024
Time: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Target, White Oak Shopping Center, Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA

This annual event will provide over 100 children with a special holiday shopping experience where each individual will be able to spend up to $150 at this event. Each child will be paired with a volunteer shopping buddy to select clothes, shoes, and toys. In addition to shopping for themselves, children will pick out a gift to be donated to patients at the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.

Meals for the children will be donated by McDonald’s, and Grimace will make a special appearance to add extra holiday cheer.

Dr. Cynthia Newbille, Richmond City Councilmember for the East End 7th Voter District and Cheryl Burke, Richmond School Board Representative for the 7th District, will be in attendance.

Volunteer Opportunity:
A few volunteer spots remain for the 5:30 PM shift. Volunteers will assist children in selecting their items and creating lasting holiday memories. To sign up, email Christina at Christina@tfbagency.com. Media:
Media representatives are invited to attend and cover this heartwarming event. Interviews, photos, and additional details will be available on-site. Contact Christina Dick at Christina@tfbagency.com for more information or post-event assets.

“Our alumni are thrilled to join forces with Richmond City Public Schools and our incredible partners to create magical holiday memories for these children.”

Timmy Nguyen, VCU Alumni Association

“This event reminds us of the importance of community, generosity, and giving back during the holiday season.”

Dr. Cynthia Newbille, Richmond City Councilmember for the East End 7th Voter District

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Fans worldwide can now add McDonald’s new collectible cups to their collection beginning August 13

(CHICAGO – Aug. 7, 2024) – McDonald’s collectibles are as iconic as they come. From toys to vintage posters, plates, merch, games and trading cards, these keepsakes are more than just collector’s items – they unlock some of our fans’ favorite McDonald’s memories. Now, for a limited time, McDonald’s is introducing the global Collector’s Edition with new collectible cups that inspire fans to relive those special moments and create nostalgic joy for a new generation.

Available in more than 30 countries, the Collector’s Edition cups, in embossed glass or tritan plastic, put a fresh spin on classic McDonald’s keepsakes from the brand, Coca-Cola, Mattel, Universal, Sanrio or TY Beanie Babies. Each cup spotlights iconic collectibles from different eras that our fans cherish, like the Grimace Mug in 1976, Pet Lovin’ Barbie in 1999, Shrek from ‘Shrek the Third’ in 2007 and more. Inspired by a variety of iconic characters and collabs, now is your chance to grab these reimagined designs among many others – this time, emblazoned on McDonald’s brand-new collectible cups.

McDonald’s Collectible cups side by side image
*Cup availability varies per market
“There’s an undeniable thrill when you snag that one elusive McDonald’s collectible or the final piece to complete your collection. We’re bringing back some of our most-loved keepsakes with a twist, giving fans a memory that they can hold in their hands,” said Morgan Flatley, Global Chief Marketing Officer and Head of New Business Ventures at McDonald’s. “These new collectible cups commemorate some of our most unforgettable designs and global collaborations over the years, allowing longtime fans to relive treasured moments and helping a new generation make their own lasting memories.”

Whether you’re a collector, love the look, or simply feel nostalgic, check your McDonald’s App and/or local participating McDonald’s restaurant to see how you can snag the select Collector’s Edition cups available in your area.

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Submit Your Work McMasterpieces:
Call For Entries Themed All Media Show to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Richmond VA: Entries due 10/31/24!

When I think of McDonald’s restaurants, I often think of iconic elements like the Golden Arches logo, the Big Mac, fries, and the PlayPlaces. It’s also known for its fast service and global presence, making it one of the most recognizable fast-food chains in the world. The smell of fries, the sound of the drive-thru, and the variety of menu items that cater to different tastes are also key aspects that come to mind. What about you? What do you think of when you think of McDonald’s? For our McMasterpieces exhibit, we’re inviting artists to share their unique perspectives and interpretations of what McDonald’s means to them. We can’t wait to see what you create!

Submission Deadline: Extended! 10/31
Submission Fee: $15 each up to 3 entries
Commission: 70 % to artists, 30% to CAC with 10% of sales will go to The Ronald McDonald House Charities
Artists Notified by: October 23, 2024, via Email
Artwork Drop Off: Tuesday, November 5, 2024 – Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 by Noon Exhibition Opening: Friday, November 15, 2024, from 5-8pm
Exhibition End Date: Sunday, January 5, 2025
Artwork Available for Artists to Pick Up: Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Richmond (RMHC Richmond) is an independent, non-profit chapter of Ronald McDonald House Charities. We provide a “home-away-from-home” for families with children receiving care at local area hospitals throughout the Richmond region. When a child is sick, the entire family needs comfort and support. We believe no family should have to deal with their child’s medical crisis alone.

RMHC Richmond eases the hardship that families caring for sick children often face, through programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. Through our core programs Ronald McDonald House® and Ronald McDonald Family Room®, RMHC Richmond keeps families with sick children together and close to the medical care their child needs. At leading local hospitals, RMHC Richmond provides unique family-centered care and services through the Ronald McDonald House Sibling Center, Hospitality Cart and Lunches with Love programs. These programs ensure that every family whose child needs access to specialty care in RVA has world-class temporary housing and support services and the opportunity to be actively involved in their child’s care.

And God Said, Let There Be Fries (Italian: E Dio disse, Sia fatta la Patatina) is a striking fresco by John Price, a contemporary artist, drawing inspiration from Michelangelo’s renowned The Creation of Adam. Playful but profound, this piece reimagines Michelangelo’s iconic work. In this latest addition to the McMasterpieces collection, the divine hand doesn’t offer the spark of life—but the perfect, golden McDonald’s fry. 🙌

The painting mirrors the iconic scene from the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling, where God imparts life to Adam, but here, the divine spark is reimagined. Instead of the moment of human creation, we witness the creation of something equally revered in the modern world—McDonald’s fries. The hand of God extends outward, offering a perfectly crisp, golden fry, while the hand of man, mirroring God’s, reaches out, desperate to grasp the divine creation. The gap between their fingers remains, a symbolic nod to the unattainable perfection that McDonald’s fries represent—ever so close yet always leaving us yearning for more.

The golden arches are implied in the divine light, casting a sacred glow over the entire scene, reminding us of the eternal pursuit of satisfaction. This work evokes a sense of reverence for everyday indulgence, celebrating McDonald’s fries as a near-spiritual experience that transcends the mundane and approaches the divine. It captures the moment where the sacred meets the simple pleasures of life, reminding us that sometimes, a fry can feel almost divine.

Did you know that 1 in every 8 Americans has worked at McDonald’s? The artist, John Price, is part of this group. His personal connection to the Golden Arches makes his contribution to McMasterpieces even more compelling.

Growing up in Augusta, Georgia, John’s first job at McDonald’s wasn’t just a paycheck—it was a lesson in life. Facing poverty, with summers without electricity and winters without heat, McDonald’s provided more than just income. When he wasn’t sneaking a Chicken McNugget or two, John was in awe of the order and efficiency he witnessed as a fry cook. “I learned a lot more about structure at McDonald’s than I did at school,” he says. That sense of structure stayed with him, shaping his wide-ranging career—including service in the Army, selling cars, and co-owning a “paint and sip” business.

Today, John has put that discipline into his true passion—art. From portraits to murals to live wedding painting, John’s work captures moments of creativity and meaning. His journey from McDonald’s crew member to professional artist makes his involvement in this project all the more powerful. We think he deserves all the McNuggets he wants for the hard work he’s put into this piece for RMHC Richmond!

We’re so grateful to John and his heart of gold(en arches) for creating this piece and for helping us spread the word that starting today, October 1st, McMasterpieces is now accepting submissions.

🎨🍟 Calling All Artists: Submissions are NOW OPEN for McMasterpieces 🖼️

We are thrilled to announce that submissions are NOW OPEN for the McMasterpieces exhibit, benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities of Richmond! You have until 10/19 to enter your artwork on artcall.org. Whether you’re a painter, sculptor, photographer, or digital artist, all mediums are welcome, and we are on a mission to gather as many entries as possible.

Why submit?

Your artwork will directly support RMHC Richmond, whose mission is to keep families with sick children together, providing them with a ‘home away from home’ while their children receive treatment. RMHC Richmond offers comfort, care, and critical support for families in need, making a lasting impact on our community.

Don’t wait! Your art has the power to make a meaningful difference, and together we can create something truly extraordinary for an amazing cause. We’re excited to see the creativity and passion you’ll bring to this special project!

McMasterpieces at Crossroads Art Center

Deadline: 10/19

Exhibit Opening: 11/15 – Come see and shop!

Submit now, make your mark, and support RMHC Richmond.

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