McDonald’s operator Candy Spiel and her husband Tom have a deep connection to RMHCSC. Early contributors to the Los Angeles House and Camp, they found a new source of passion on a visit with ‘Ronald’ to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital in the mid-1980s.
Candy remembers the excitement on the kids’ faces at the sight of the famous clown. She also remembers seeing parents sleeping on chairs, how tired they looked, and she was inspired to act. Two doctors at the hospital shared her resolve to help. They advocated for a new Ronald McDonald House and convinced the hospital to donate land directly across the street.
Several years and MANY city council meetings later, Candy was on site to help open the new program in Loma Linda. A long-time board member and community advocate, Candy and Tom returned last month to the House she helped build to celebrate another milestone — an even bigger Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House and more smiling faces.
