This Tasty Treat Is Making a Difference for Michigan Families

The light and creamy mint-flavored Shamrock Shakes are back on the menu at McDonald's restaurants throughout Mid-Michigan, and it's a delicious way to give back to others.

The annual treat has a long tradition of helping families in the region.

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"Shamrock Shakes were actually one of the first products that McDonald's put out for customers to purchase that supported the first Ronald McDonald House," says Carolyn Hurst, the Executive Director of Ronald McDonald House Charities Mid-Michigan.

The tasty treat is currently available at McDonald's restaurants throughout Mid-Michigan while supplies last. For every Shamrock Shake and every Shamrock Oreo McFlurry sold, 25 cents will be donated directly to that restaurant's nearest Ronald McDonald House.

That adds up to making a big difference for families all over the region.

About the Ronald McDonald House in Lansing

The Ronald McDonald House Charities chapter in Lansing has an 8-bedroom house right outside of Sparrow Health System and can serve up to eight families at one time.

"These families have children that are receiving critical medical treatment in the hospital," says Hurst. "A majority of them have babies that were born either prematurely or with complications, and then you know, older children as well with anything you can think of."

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Donations to the Ronald McDonald House, like those provided through sales of McDonald's Shamrock Shakes and Shamrock Oreo McFlurry treats, are crucial to the charity's mission.

"It gives us the opportunity to make sure the parents or family members or friends that are caring for these children don't have to worry about anything during this hospitalization," Hurst says.  "We provide them with a meal every day. We provide them with their own guest room and bathroom and on-site laundry. Everything you have at your house, we have at ours and they can stay there for as long as their child is in the hospital. We make sure we take care of them, so all they have to think about is taking care of their child."

The Ronald McDonald House in Lansing is one of four in Michigan. Others are located near children's hospitals in Detroit, Ann Arbor and Grand Rapids.