Over $4.6 million raised in support of Ronald McDonald Houses and other local children's charities
TORONTO, May 8, 2015 /CNW/ - More than $4.6 million was raised on the 22nd McHappy Day for a grand total of over $50.8 million since the inception of the beloved national fundraising event to support Ronald McDonald Houses and other local children's charities.
On McHappy Day, more than 1,400 McDonald's restaurants across Canada donated one dollar from every Big Mac® sandwich, Happy Meal® and any hot McCafé® beverage sold to benefit Ronald McDonald Houses and other local children's charities. In addition, many restaurants ran fundraising events and activities throughout the year to generate additional funds for their charities of choice.
"On behalf of McDonald's Canada, we want to thank everyone for coming together to once again make McHappy Day a resounding success," said John Betts, President and CEO, McDonald's Canada. "While McDonald's restaurants are the venue, the real heroes are our people, franchisees, employees, guests and suppliers, all of whom are so generous in giving back."
Since McHappy Day was first introduced in Canada in 1977, the national one-day fundraising event has now raised more than $50.8 million for Ronald McDonald Houses and local children's charities across Canada. McDonald's also donates 10 cents from every Happy Meal sold every day in Canada to Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®), raising over $50 million since 2004. In addition, every time a customer drops change in a coin box at McDonald's restaurants, they are supporting Ronald McDonald House and families in their community. All of these funds help Canada's 14 Ronald McDonald Houses support over 20,000 families while their children are being treated at nearby hospitals.
"McHappy Day is a celebration of the generosity of McDonald's and Canadians," said Cathy Loblaw, President and CEO, RMHC Canada. "We are so grateful for the support given to the Ronald McDonald Houses from our founding and forever partner, McDonald's. Together we've helped support 269,916 families with sick children across Canada, since Canada's first Ronald McDonald House opened in 1981 – and we continue to support Canadian families as they focus on what matters most: healing their sick child."
From its early beginnings in Canada in 1977, McHappy Day is now a renowned fundraising event around the world, bringing McDonald's restaurants and local communities together to support children in need.
About Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) Canada
In 1982, Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada was founded to be the everlasting organization that would support Ronald McDonald Houses and their programs in Canada. Canada's 14 Ronald McDonald Houses provide a home for out of town families with sick children being treated at a nearby hospital. Completing our circle of support for Canadian families are 11 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, which provide an oasis of calm and support right inside the walls of the hospital, as well as the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® program in Calgary, Alberta. In 2013, the 14 Ronald McDonald Houses, 11 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms and two Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles served 23,409 families. By 2015, the Canadian Ronald McDonald House network of programs and support will reach 27,000 children and families served annually. As RMHC's largest donor, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited and its franchisees donate 10 cents from every Happy Meal® sold to Ronald McDonald Houses and every time customers donate change in a coin box at McDonald's their helping support Ronald McDonald Houses in Canada. For more information on RMHC Canada, visit: www.rmhc.ca.
About McDonald's Canada
McDonald's is the leading foodservice company in the world. McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited and its Canadian franchisees own and operate more than 1,400 restaurants with more than 85,000 employees from coast-to-coast. Approximately 80 per cent of McDonald's Canadian restaurants are locally owned and operated by independent entrepreneurs. For more information about McDonald's Canada, visit www.mcdonalds.ca or follow us on Twitter (@McD_Canada), Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonaldscanada) and Instagram (Instagram.com/mcdonaldscanada) for updates on our business, promotions and menu items.
SOURCE McDonald's Canada
Image with caption: "McHappy Day (CNW Group/McDonald's Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150508_C6358_PHOTO_EN_16391.jpg
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