Canadians make their meals count at McDonald's® and help raise more than $4 million on 20th McHappy Day®

Restaurants across the country raise over $4 million for local children's charities such as Ronald McDonald Houses

TORONTO, May 10, 2013 /CNW/ - McDonald's Canada and its franchisees raised more than $4 million on the 20^th McHappy Day - a unique and much anticipated national fundraising event. The funds raised in communities across Canada will help support children in need and their families through local children's charities across the country such as Ronald McDonald House^®.

Including funds from Wednesday's McHappy Day fundraising event, McDonald's has raised more than $8 million in the past year for Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) Canada, and local children's charities such as Ronald McDonald Houses.

"The spirit of McHappy Day is stronger than ever thanks to all of our customers, restaurant owners, suppliers and crew across Canada who showed their overwhelming support," said John Betts, President and CEO, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited. "With each dollar raised we are able to continue to make a difference in the lives of sick children and their families."

On McHappy Day, more than 1,400 McDonald's restaurants across Canada donated one dollar from every Big Mac^®, Happy Meal^®, and hot McCafé^® beverage sold to benefit 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.

"McHappy Day is an extraordinary celebration of McDonald's and its customers giving.  We are so grateful for the support we receive that has helped us to provide a home away from home for over 200,000 families with sick children across Canada," said Cathy Loblaw, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada. "Together, we have been able to be there for Canadian families during some of life's most difficult times and give sick children what they need most, their families."

Since McHappy Day was first introduced in 1977, the national one-day fundraising event has raised more than $42 million for RMHC, Ronald McDonald House and local children's charities across Canada. In addition, McDonald's donates 10 cents from every Happy Meal sold every day in Canada to RMHC and has raised further $42 million to-date. As a result of the continued success of McHappy Day in Canada, it is now a renowned world-wide fundraising event bringing McDonald's restaurants together to support children in need.

About RMHC Canada
RMHC Canada is the national organization that supports Ronald McDonald Houses and their programs across Canada. Ronald McDonald Houses provide a home away from home for out of town families with sick children being treated at a nearby hospital. Today, 14 Ronald McDonald Houses serve more than 10,000 families each year. By 2014 that support will grow to serving over 20,000 families in Ronald McDonald Houses across Canada. Completing our circle of support for Canadian families are eight 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. 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 and employ more than 80,000 Canadians 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 and Facebook Facebook.com/McDonaldscanada) for updates on our business, promotions and menu items.

SOURCE: McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Ltd.

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