What a team!

It was Audrey Evans who had the vision for houses where parents could stay to be close by when their children were hospitalized. It was Jimmy Murray - then on the public relations staff of the Philadelphia Eagles - who raised the money to make the dream a reality by getting a local McDonald's to donate proceeds from the sale of Shamrock Shakes to help purchase the first house. Jimmy went on to become the general manager of the Eagles. Under his leadership, the Eagles earned play-off berths for four years in a row and made it to the Super Bowl in 1981. He continued to champion the Ronald McDonald House Charities for more than 50 years, describing that labor of love as his "personal Super Bowl," according to the organization's news release. Now there are more than 390 Ronald McDonald Houses around the world. Jimmy died today (August 25) at the age of 87. He and Audrey will have a lot of memories and laughs to share when he gets to Heaven. Audrey moved to the United States from England after she became a doctor. When Jimmy first called on her to present her with a check for The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, she did not know who the Eagles were! Her secretary had to explain that they were a football team. She quickly became a fan!

Photo courtesy of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philadelphia Region.