Ray and Joan

Book Cover (internet image)

RAY & JOAN - The man who made the McDonald's fortune and the woman who gave it all away

I recently finished this interesting story of a couple, who in their own way, literally affected the lives of millions.

You may know that at Joan Kroc's death she left large amounts of her estate to The Salvation Army, National Public Radio, Ronald McDonald House Charities, and another dozen incredibly generous gifts.

The book came to my attention in a professional journal that shared the story of her generosity.

A couple stories in the book hit home:

• A San Diego fundraiser for National Public Radio (NPR) alerted colleagues at the national level for Public TV and Radio of Joan's interest as a donor.  No one on the TV side responded.  NPR received $500,000 that first year.  In her will, NPR received a bequest of $225.000.000!
• One of Joan Kroc's close friends near the end of her life was the Mayor of San Diego, Maureen O'Connor.  When Joan saw television coverage of the flooding in Grand Forks, North Dakota - she had her friend reach out to the mayor - where Joan made an anonymous gift (later discovered and publicized) of $15,000,000 for the people who needed it.

Most donors can't write checks with multiple commas; but the principal is the same.  Relationships matter to donors.  Representatives of organizations should provide information to donors; answer questions; let them choose how to give away their money; say thank you and demonstrate its impact.  Oh, following up on phone calls of interest is a good idea, too.

Joan is the focus of the story, but without Ray - there is no plot to twist.

Author/reporter Lisa Napoli traces the enterprising mixer salesman who ultimately meets two brothers in California with a hamburger stand.  He sells them mixers and convinces them to allow him to franchise their operation.

Ronald McDonald House began as a present for Ray Kroc's 70th birthday to help families of children with health issues.  It was, in part, a public relations response to criticism the company received for affecting diets of children.

Both Ray and Joan - grew up poor, but ultimately made others rich and themselves wealthy.

Of course, at the end there was no trailer with cash behind the hearse.  Joan successfully gave away $2.7 billion dollars after her death to charity, the book says it was the "lion's share of the fortune."

Pick it up at the store or from the library - you will be glad you did.