Ronald McDonald brings $32,000 check to pay for summer meals

Ronald McDonald stopped by Konnoak Elementary School this morning to show students a huge check -- literally and figuratively.

D.J. Britt, Beverly Emory, Darrell Walker and Ronald McDonald

Ronald presented a check for $32,000 on behalf of Ronald McDonald House Charities of NC that was as big as many of the students in the audience. The money is being used to pay for the summer meals provided to students on Fridays this summer. 

"This is a really big check, isn't it?" Superintendent Beverly Emory said to the students.

Ronald with Konnoak Principal Shelia Burnette

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools has provided free breakfasts and lunches throughout the summer for several years. This year, the district is closed on Fridays during the summer. The shortened week allows the district to save about $160,000, which will be used to prevent job losses.

However, being closed on Fridays means no meals for children who need them during the summer. The $32,000 provided by Ronald allowed the district to provide bagged lunches to children on Fridays. 

Local McDonald's owner/operator D.J. Britt presented the check to Emory and Darrell Walker, the assistant superintendent of operations.

After the presentation, Ronald talked to the students about being active, and led them through some of his favorite ways of being active: playing hide and seek, juggling, jumping rope and dancing. 

Ronald juggles

Ronald and students do the sprinkler