I remember ‘guesting’ as a local media ‘greeter’ at a McHappy Day event here in Ottawa just a couple of years after arriving in town to work at ‘the Capital’s leading radio news voice’. A special feeling pervades McDonald’s on McHappy Day that’s impossible to describe…
I can recall when I first heard about about McHappy Day. McDonald’s was just kicking off its now-famous Ronald McDonald House program – back in 1972…
A model for others
The idea was to ease the crushing pressure on the families of critically ill kids who needed to travel to other cities to access the best care for their loved ones..
Thousands and thousands served…
Since the first McHappy Day in Canada, 31 years ago, the pubic has responded in ever-growing num-bers, to support the program. The families of thousands of serious ill and injured kids have been able to stay close to children’s hospitals in major cities where their kids were receiving specialized, advan-ced treatments.
This year, on May 8, the annual celebration raised over (C)$11.3 million for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) across Canada, and other local children’s charities nationwide, the official news release reports.
A flagship ‘give-back’
“Our franchisees are not just business leaders; they are community champions,” said Michèle Bou-dria, President and CEO of McDonald’s Canada. “McHappy Day is a shining example of their dedica-tion to growing and fostering strong community connections, and the impact we can make for fami-lies with sick or injured children when we come together.”
A portion of the proceeds from all Happy Meal sales at McDonald’s on McHappy Days goes to RMHC and goes to the grand total to over $111.3M raised to-date in support of RMHC across Canada and other local children’s charities. These funds have enabled RMHC to support nearly 500,000 families since 1981, the official news release reports.
McHappy Day is just one special activity that raises funds for the charitable foundation. There’s also RMHC Cookie Day, and the familiar donation boxes at point of sale in most McDonald’s locations. Supporterss can also donate a buck electronically via the rmhccanada.ca website.
My take
There are currently 16 Ronald McDonald House programs across Canada, providing out-of-town families with holistic support and services such as meal, mental health and wellness programming. In-hospital Ronald McDonald Family Room programs at 19 Canadian hospitals provide a comfortable place for families to rest, recharge and fuel without having to leave the hospital.
What a great idea! And it’s just one community ‘give back’ McDonald’s and its more than 1.350 Cana-dian franchisees, local media partners and others support.
RMHC has touched more than 500,000 Canadian families since it’s inception in 1981, and a recent survey revealed that ‘1 in 4 Canadians have either stayed with RMHC or know someone who has’. The post-event news release only reports the on-paper results. But McDonald’s cumulative and growing contribution to our communities is priceless…
~ Maggie J.