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While some runners chase new records and measure success in miles and minutes, Sal Napoli, a Boston resident and local McDonald’s owner/operator in New England, has been chasing a different goal. For more than a decade, Napoli has transformed running into a powerful mission of compassion, raising critical funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities of New England (RMHCNE). Over his 12-year journey, he’s turned each stride into another step toward a lofty fundraising target with the goal of raising $1 million to support and provide a lifeline of hope and comfort for families with critically ill children at the Ronald McDonald House in Providence and the Ronald McDonald House at Boston Harbor.
Each year, hundreds of families travel to New England from locations all over the world to give their children access to the best medical care. In doing so, they face enormous hurdles such as navigating the complexities of the health care system, extraordinarily high local housing costs, and excessive emotional and physical stress. Ronald McDonald House Charities removes these barriers and provides comprehensive and essential services like lodging, meals, daily necessities, and a community that looks after families, enabling them to focus on what really matters: their child’s health and healing.
Culminating more than a dozen races, countless mornings of training, and a steadfast commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of those who need it most, Napoli’s road to compassion paid off this summer in a profound way. At the iconic Falmouth Road Race in August, he achieved his longstanding goal of raising $1 million for RMHCNE — a milestone that represents over 5,000 nights of housing for over 160 families during their most vulnerable moments. Each mile run and every dollar raised has been a step towards creating a home-away-from-home for families navigating unimaginably difficult medical journeys.
Napoli, who owns and operates McDonald’s restaurants across New England with his family, says the McDonald’s brand is built on community. With RMHC being McDonald’s founding charitable partner, the passion to support runs deep.
“McDonald’s is a local brand at heart, and showing up and supporting our communities and neighbors is a core tenant of who we are, with RMHC playing a critical role in our give-back efforts. Our restaurant teams are considered family, and being able to extend our support to RMHC families in need is a big focus for our organization and dozens of other local McDonald’s owner/operators across the region,” Napoli says. “With an average stay of 30 nights at RMHCNE, taking that financial burden off families so they can focus on what really matters is what drives me. I’m grateful to have reached my goal in supporting such a meaningful organization and am blown away by the support of my McDonald’s community, family, and friends.”
What truly distinguishes Napoli’s contributions to the House is his ability to transform personal dedication into a collective movement of support. As a decade-long board member for RMHCNE, he has woven together a network of individuals inspired by his journey through the years — including family, friends, other local McDonald’s owner/operators, and customers alike — who have rallied behind the Ronald McDonald House Charities mission and its various programs. Whether it’s raising crucial funds through the Falmouth Road Race or encouraging participation in the “Round-Up for RMHC” initiative at his restaurants, he consistently goes above and beyond, and his unwavering commitment to the cause has created a ripple effect of generosity that amplifies the impact of his efforts.
For years, the “Round-Up for RMHC” initiative, which allows customers to round up their order totals to the nearest whole dollar, has become a powerful tool in sustaining Ronald McDonald House Charities in local communities across the country. As McDonald’s and RMHC celebrate their 50th anniversary of partnership this year, 33 New England McDonald’s owner/operators across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island have proudly announced that customers have helped raise $1.26 million, with Napoli’s organization contributing more than $320,000 of that total, ranking him as a top benefactor in the region.
“Sal represents the very best of the best and his passion for our mission is contagious,” says Ellen Simmons, Chief Advancement Officer of RMHCNE. “Through his charismatic leadership, personal advocacy, and genuine kindness, Sal has motivated individuals and businesses alike to contribute to RMHCNE, magnifying our ability to serve and make a difference in the lives of families seeking critical pediatric medical care.”
During the holidays, he continues making an impact through a longstanding and meaningful family tradition of volunteering at the House on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with his children. He takes the time to listen to their stories, offer words of encouragement, and ensures each family receives carefully selected gifts that match their specific needs, along with preparing a warm meal — all with the goal of providing a moment of respite and joy during a time where it is extremely challenging for families to be away from home.
Nearly reaching the $1.5 million milestone across all of his fundraising efforts this year and being a pillar to the RMHC community is a significant achievement, but for Napoli, it’s not an endpoint — it’s a continuation of his vision. His ongoing work with RMHCNE expands as he steps into the role of board president this month, with a mission to establish a flagship RMHC House in Boston in response to the 100 families waitlisted there.
“One of the most rewarding parts of being a local business owner is being able to show up for our neighbors in need in the communities we serve,” Napoli says. “I’m overwhelmed by the generosity of my McDonald’s family and our customers who have all stepped up to create a network of support that reaches beyond our restaurants’ walls and champions RMHCNE in so many ways. Here’s to making an even bigger impact in 2025.”
