“When I encourage customers to Round-UP, I think of everything the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House gave me,” McDonald’s general manager Frankie Hanson says.

For 15 years, Frankie has worked at the McDonalds in Thomaston, owned and operated by Starla Riddick. Frankie worked her way from crew member to general manager.

Brantley Warren was immediately sent to the children’s hospital in Macon, where he was put on the ventilator. Days later, he was transferred to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to be placed on ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation life support).

On December 4, 2019, Brantley Warren, Frankie’s toddler son, accidentally swallowed something from under the kitchen sink, causing chemical burns in his esophagus and lungs.

Brantley was immediately sent to the children’s hospital in Macon, where he was put on the ventilator. Days later, he was transferred to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to be placed on ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation life support).

“We could not sleep in the room with him, so I stayed in the Ronald McDonald Family Room for a few nights until a room at the Ronald McDonald House became available,” Frankie says.

Frankie stayed at the Atlanta Ronald McDonald House near Egleston for three weeks while Brantley recovered. It was difficult to be away from her family during the holidays, but the compassion shown by staff and volunteers made her feel welcome and at home.

Having a safe and comfortable place to rest and the Meals That Heal made a difference. “My days began at 6 a.m. and ended at 11 p.m. Food was available before I left each morning for the hospital and when I returned after a long day,” Frankie says.

Today, Brantley is a thriving Kindergartner, who loves animals, superheroes, Ninja Turtles and playing in the mud. Frankie is grateful to have him by her side. To give back, she encourages her McDonald’s customers to Round-UP.

In 2023, she was named one of the top Give-a-Hand winners for collecting Round-UP donations.

“The Ronald McDonald House provided me with a safe haven during my time of need, and it means so much to me to know my employer created an organization that does that for families all over the world,” Frankie says.