Gaudeamus celebrates Vera in 2024!

The musicians of Gaudeamus are pleased to announce our 2024 fundraising campaign, “A ROOM FOR VERA” in celebration and honor of Vera Macel.  Vera is a local little girl who was born with a rare genetic disorder that affects nearly every bodily system.  She spent much of her early life in Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and her parents, Katie & Josh, found respite and support at the Ronald McDonald House on Chestnut Street in Philadelphia. To honor Vera and her family, Gaudeamus has initiated a $50,000 pledge to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philadelphia Region which will enable us to name a “Room for Vera.” This mission will provide other families of medically fragile children with love, comfort, and hope, so they can better support and care for their child, just as the Macels could for Vera.

Gaudeamus will hold a series of Christmas concerts at various churches throughout the Philadelphia area and proceeds generated from these concerts will be directed to the Ronald McDonald House in support of this project.  For more information on Gaudeamus, please visit our website at www.letusrejoice.org.

PLEASE SAVE THE DATE for our primary CONCERT FOR VERA on Sunday, December 15, 2024 at 7PM at Epiphany of Our Lord Church, Plymouth Meeting.  The concert will be also be live-streamed.

We thank you in advance for your generous support of our music, mission and goal of $50,000!!!! 

About Gaudeamus

Gaudeamus is a faith-based ensemble of professional musicians who, through a series of performances throughout the year, raise funds to support children with serious medical diagnoses and their families, as well as educational expenses for children in need. 

Gaudeamus 32nd Annual Christmas Concert:

About Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Philadelphia Region

Our Mission and Vision

Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) of the Philadelphia Region supports families on their children’s medical journeys with a community of comfort and hope. We envision a world where every family can focus on their child’s well-being.

Our Core Programs

Our two Ronald McDonald House® programs provide temporary lodging, transportation, meals, and social services to families who travel to Philadelphia for pediatric care. Our three Ronald McDonald Family Room® programs extend the support of our Houses into the hospital setting and offer a quiet respite space for families at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. Ronald McDonald Camp is a week-long overnight camp for children with cancer and their siblings held in the Pocono Mountains every August. The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®, operated in partnership with St. Christopher’s Foundation for Children, provides comprehensive and continuous oral healthcare to children in North Philadelphia.

Proceeds from donations made at local McDonald’s restaurants make up less than 6% of our annual revenue. The remainder of our multi-million dollar budget is generated through the generosity of individuals, corporations, and foundations. It costs RMHC of the Philadelphia Region $165 a night per family to provide housing and supportive services; however, families are only asked to contribute $25 per night. No one is ever turned away due to inability to pay and the House waives approximately half the nightly fees annually.