The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maine granted the Old Town-Orono YMCA $15,000 for its after-school child care program. The money will be used to update and upgrade equipment in the facility’s six after-school classrooms, allowing the Old Town-Orono YMCA to meet state licensing requirements.

The Old Town-Orono YMCA has been a part of the community for many years. “We are so excited about the equipment upgrades we’ll be able to make due to the generosity of the Ronald McDonald House Charities,” said, Jill Nitardy, executive director of the Old Town-Orono YMCA. “These changes will benefit the children immediately. We couldn?t be more thrilled.”

The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Maine is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to help Maine children lead happier, healthier and more productive lives.

The organization was founded in 1989 by the owner-operators of McDonald’s restaurants in Maine and Eastern New Hampshire who had a vision of giving back to the community through supporting the children of Maine. Over the past 19 years, it has granted more than $1.3 million to local children’s programs. For more information about the Ronald McDonald House Charities, visit www.rmhc.org.