*As of August 2019 Stepping Stone School has donated over $80,000 to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas
From selling refreshing lemonade, warm cookies and creative crafts, the students of Stepping Stone School in Austin, TX put their business minds and giving hearts to work at the schools’ Young Entrepreneurs & Philanthropists™ summer camp program – all to support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas (RMHC CTX). The students raised over $6,000 through the sale of their goods, effectively doubling the amount raised last year including additional monetary contributions and in-kind resources provided by Stepping Stone School. Together, they donated $10,000 this year to support the families with hospitalized children that rely on RMHC CTX.

Stepping Stone School’s summer camp program combines teaching students how to plan, prepare and conduct a series of businesses while learning how to give back. The students did everything from developing ads and pricing strategies for their businesses, to learning how to work as a team and most importantly, having fun!

Rhonda Paver, MA, Executive Director of Stepping Stone School said, “Stepping Stone School has been proud to partner with RMHC CTX for seven years and we strongly support the fine work done by this organization on behalf of the children and families of Central Texas. Our Young Entrepreneurs and Philanthropists™ program has successfully increased the amount of funds raised each year by our school age children, while also teaching them the valuable lessons of kindness, caring, gratitude and giving to others.”

Stepping Stone School’s Young Entrepreneurs & Philanthropists Program™ began in 2010 and has supported RMHC CTX from year one. Since they began supporting RMHC CTX, Stepping Stone School has donated over $33,000.*

“It’s amazing when young students learn about creating their own businesses and the importance of giving back to their communities,” comments Carolyn Schwarz, chief executive officer of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas. “We are so appreciative of their creative ideas to design and sell their goods to support our children and families. It’s because of generous friends like Stepping Stone School that we are able to comfort and care for our families while their children heal in the hospital.”

About Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas

Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Central Texas (RMHC CTX), a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families. Through the Ronald McDonald House^®, Ronald McDonald Family Rooms^®, Happy Wheels Carts and Healing Hearts programs, RMHC CTX provides compassionate care and resources to children and families being served by Central Texas hospitals. RMHC CTX programs provide access to quality health care and enable family-centered care ensuring families are fully supported and actively involved in their child’s care. For more information, visit rmhc-ctx.org.