Phyliss and Robert Bernstein and their adult children, Steven, Susan and David, are known throughout the community as enthusiastic supporters of many local causes and charities. One of their all-time favorites is Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kansas City.
Now, in recognition of the family’s loving support and ongoing loyalty, the Ronald McDonald House on 25th & Cherry, one of three adjacent to Children’s Mercy in the Hospital Hill area, has been officially named The Bernstein House.
The mission of the Ronald McDonald Houses is to provide comfort, aid and shelter to families of children who must travel here for essential medical services, 93 percent of whom are seeking treatment at Children’s Mercy Hospital. The Bernstein House includes 19 bedrooms, dining room and full kitchen, library, recreational basement area provided by Sporting KC, and outdoor playground and garden.
In addition to the family members’ financial support, their business — Bernstein-Rein — has always offered whole-hearted involvement and varied creative help through the years. B-R has long been an ad agency for McDonald’s and Bob Bernstein is the acknowledged inventor of the Happy Meal. Since 2010, Ronald McDonald Charities across the country have received a penny for every Happy Meal sold in their local markets. Through that source alone $315,000 has been donated in Kansas City.
The dedication of the Bernstein family to this great cause is unquestioned. And from now on their love and caring will forever be embodied in the physical structure that makes a house a home for those who need it most.