Join McDonald's® and "Give a Hand" to Brighten the Lives of Families in Need

OAK BROOK, Ill., Nov. 10, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, McDonald's® USA celebrates McHappy Day®, kicking off its annual "Give A Hand®" fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) -- the company's "Charity of Choice." Each year, more than four million families with critically ill children rely on the Charity's services to stay together in their time of need. Between November 10-20, McDonald's customers can purchase a paper "Give A Hand" for $1 at participating U.S. restaurants, with all proceeds donated to RMHC. New this year, customers can also show their support online by participating in the "Give A Hand" social media photo sweepstakes.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101110/AQ98768)

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20101110/AQ98768)

"Give A Hand" Social Media Photo Sweepstakes

The new online photo sweepstakes invites customers, via McDonald's USA Twitter handle (@McDonalds), to submit a photo of their hand with a written phrase that shows their support for RMHC. Each day, between November 10-20, one entrant will be selected at random to win $500 for themselves and McDonald's will donate $500 for their local RMHC Chapter. Everyone who submits a photo of their hand will be eligible for the daily prize and will receive a coupon for a free medium McCafe® Drink with the purchase of an Extra Value Meal®. Select photos will also be tweeted via @McDonalds. See the Official Rules http://bit.ly/cDy2ip for complete details.

"McDonald's has proudly supported Ronald McDonald House Charities for thirty-six years, and as the times evolve, so too have the ways people show their dedication to a cause," said Rick Wion, McDonald's USA, Social Media Director. "The 'Give A Hand' social media photo sweepstakes allows customers to post their support in a new and creative way. And together with our customers, we can continue to support families in need."

A Little Help Goes a Long Way

As part of the company's ongoing support of the Charity, McDonald's USA donates a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each Happy Meal® and Mighty Kids Meal® purchased in participating U.S. restaurants every day to RMHC. This in-restaurant Happy Meal fundraising effort extends online through the sharable "Family Time. Happy Time" campaign, celebrating family togetherness. The campaign encourages families to pledge minutes of "happy time" together via McDonald's Facebook page. For each minute pledged, McDonald's USA will donate one penny to RMHC with a goal of reaching 1 million minutes, up to $10,000, towards the Charity's programs.

McDonald's also supports in-restaurant Donation Boxes to benefit RMHC. Demonstrating how every penny adds up, last year McDonald's customers raised nearly $20 million nationwide for RMHC through the in-restaurant Donation Boxes.

In addition, customers were able to support the Charity by "checking-in" on Facebook Places earlier this month. McDonald's USA donated $1 to Ronald McDonald House Charities for every "check-in" at a McDonald's restaurant, achieving the goal of $50,000.

About McDonald's

McDonald's USA, LLC is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. Since 1974, McDonald's has supported RMHC and its mission to improve the health and well-being of children around the world. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com or follow us on Twitter (@McDonalds) or Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds).

About Ronald McDonald House Charities

Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), an independent non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. Through its global network of local Chapters in 52 countries and regions, its three core programs, the Ronald McDonald House®, Ronald McDonald Family Room® and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®, and millions of dollars in grants to support children's programs worldwide, RMHC provides stability and resources to families so they can get and keep their children healthy and happy. All RMHC-supported programs provide a bridge to quality health care and give children and families the time they need together to heal faster and cope better. For more information, visit www.rmhc.org, follow us on Twitter (@RMHC), or like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/RMHC Global).

©2010 McDonald's

SOURCE McDonald's USA, LLC