Fort Wayne Charities Get $130K from Chefs and Customers

Families staying close to their hospitalized children just got a major boost thanks to two Fort Wayne fundraisers that raised more than $130,000 in a single day.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Indiana received the combined donations on Tuesday from two very different sources. The money helps provide housing and support for families who travel to Fort Wayne while their children receive medical care.

The Matt Ball Organization, which owns four local McDonald's restaurants, presented a check for $32,657.15. Customers at all four locations pitched in through the "Round Up for RMHC" program, where they added their spare change to help families in need.

The bigger check came from Do it Best, which handed over $100,000 from their Cookin' Fort Wayne event. More than 70 local chefs gathered in May to create delicious treats, with all proceeds supporting the charity.

The Do it Best Foundation added their own contribution to the total raised at the cooking event. The combination of chef creativity and corporate generosity created a winning recipe for families facing tough times.

The Ripple Effect

These donations do more than just provide free rooms. Ronald McDonald House keeps families together during medical crises, preventing the added stress of separation and expensive hotel bills when children need them most.

Every dollar raised means another family can focus on their child's recovery instead of worrying about where to sleep or how to afford meals. The spare change from morning coffee runs and the energy of dozens of chefs combine to create real comfort for scared parents.

Next year's Cookin' Fort Wayne is already scheduled for May 13, 2027 at Electric Works, promising another year of community support for families when they need it most.

Fort Wayne just proved that big impact comes from everyday generosity and creative community events working together.