Our Story…
The concert series was started by local McDonald’s franchisee Enrico Francani motivated by two goals; to raise money to support Buffalo’s Ronald McDonald House and to create a deeper connection and level of engagement between the Ronald McDonald House Charities and the community. This year, raising funds for the Family Lounge & Happy Wheel Cart at John R. Oshei Children’s Hospital is also included in the show’s mission.
The series began in 2007 with the first concert featuring BJ Thomas. Since then, artists including Tony Bennett, the Jacksons and Kenny Rogers have been featured. Proceeds to-date for all the shows are in excess of $500,000!
All shows through 2017 were held at UB’s Center for the Arts. In 2018, the show moved to Shea’s Buffalo Theatre as we featured Violinist Lindsey Stirling’s The Wanderland Tour.
We are excited to expand our celebration in 2019 to include A Charlie Brown Christmas LIVE, which will be performed onstage at the Riviera Theatre. Visit https://www.acharliebrownchristmaslive.com/ for more information about the show.
All of the shows have been supported and sponsored by a number of local businesses donating thousands of dollars to help ensure The Buffalo Ronald McDonald House can continue to do what it does best “Creating and supporting programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families”.