Ronald McDonald House Float to Keep Kids Warm with Binkies

Orange Grove Quilters of Garden Grove, California recently presented Carolyn Berndt with nearly 75 binkies!  Perfect timing with the Rose Parade…. click the headline to read more.


Founder, Susan Finch’s cousin, Mary Nichols is on the board for the Southern California McDonald Restaurants and Ronald McDonald Houses of Southern California.

She mentioned to Susan that there was to be a float in the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California to raise awareness of Ronald McDonald Houses in Southern California.  The float is to feature many residents of the houses in Southern California.

The first thing Susan thought about is how terribly cold it is for the parade.  She asked Mary if it would be helpful to have binkies for the kids and families on the float.  Mary was so excited…. , “YES!” Carolyn Berndt told the ladies at the quilt guild that their binkies were needed for these kids.  Everyone was so excited to know where they were going.

Rose Parade Float for Ronald McDonald House 2005

Here is the float as it moved down Colorado Blvd in Pasadena on New Year’s Day!

Made possible by the McDonald’s Operator Assn. of Southern California, the float featured families from our four Ronald McDonald Houses, Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, Clay Aiken, and Ronald McDonald.

Thank you  to everyone involved in this exciting project!

Note of thanks: “I watched the backstage Rose Parade coverage and the float coverage. Your blankets were everywhere. The pre float show had an interview with Jon Meyers and most everyone had your blankets covering themselves. Thank You (Binky Patrol) for all your hard work.”

To learn more about Ronald McDonald Houses, click here