McHappy Day: Serving-up nationwide happiness

Guests invited to support thousands of local families and their children in need

TORONTO, May 3, 2016 /CNW/ - For some families across the country tomorrow is one of the most meaningful days of the year – McHappy Day. It's the day when McDonald's restaurants across Canada inspire guests to unite in support of the 14 Ronald McDonald Houses and other local children's charities dedicated to bringing happiness to the lives of families and children in their communities when they need it most.

Tomorrow, $1 from every Big Mac® sandwich, Happy Meal® and hot McCafé® beverage sold will go towards these charities. As part of these heartfelt celebrations, athletes, media personalities, local dignitaries and celebrities will be working hand-in-hand with McDonald's restaurant teams and franchisees to raise donations. This year guests will also be able to support families through a $1 McHappy Day donation button that will appear on all self-order kiosks in restaurants.

"McHappy Day is a long-standing Canadian tradition and is at the heart of who we are and what we do at McDonald's Canada," said John Betts, President and CEO of McDonald's Canada. "By supporting families and children in need, we remain committed to being a good neighbour in thousands of local communities across the country."  

This one-day fundraising event supports local children's charities, as well as the 13 Family Rooms and 14 Ronald McDonald Houses across Canada that together provide comfort and care to more than 20,000 families each year as their children are treated at a nearby hospital.

"Research shows that sick children heal faster when their families are beside them, and this wouldn't be possible without the support of McDonald's and their guests," said Cathy Loblaw, President and CEO, Ronald McDonald House Charities® Canada (RMHC®). "We're constantly inspired by how McHappy Day brings Canadians together to help Ronald McDonald Houses support more than 20,000 families with sick children each year. Thank you."

In 1977, McHappy Day was first established in Canada by George Cohon, founder of McDonald's Canada and Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada. It has since become an international fundraising event celebrated by countries throughout the globe. Over the past 22 McHappy Days (it wasn't an annual event at first) McDonald's Canada, its franchisees and generous guests, have contributed nearly $51 million for Ronald McDonald Houses and local Canadian children's charities.

"As we approach our 23^rd McHappy Day in Canada, our original vision of connecting communities remains," added Cohon. "McHappy Day is a way for all of us to unite in smiles and support of our fellow families and children."

Follow the story online and share who you're making happy this year with #McHappyDay. Click here to watch a short video about the impact RMHC has on families.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) Canada 
In 1982, Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada was founded to be the everlasting organization of support for Ronald McDonald Houses and their programs in Canada. The 14 Ronald McDonald Houses provide a home for out-of-town families whose children are being treated at a nearby hospital. Completing our circle of support for Canadian families are 13 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, which provide a caring place for families to rest and recharge right inside the hospital, as well as 2 Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles, mobile health units that help to bring medical care to vulnerable communities in Alberta. 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 House Charities, and McDonald's guests generously support Ronald McDonald House families by donating at the coinbox in their local McDonald's restaurant. For more information on RMHC Canada, visit www.rmhc.ca.

About McDonald's Canada
In 1967, Canadians welcomed the first McDonald's restaurant to Richmond, British Columbia. Today, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited has become part of the Canadian fabric, serving close to three million guests every day. Together with our franchisees, we proudly employ nearly 90,000 people from coast-to-coast and approximately 85 per cent of McDonald's 1,400 Canadian restaurants are locally owned and operated by independent entrepreneurs. Of the almost $1 billion we spend on food, more than 85 per cent is purchased from suppliers in Canada. For more information on McDonald's Canada visit www.McDonalds.ca.

SOURCE McDonald's Canada

Video with caption: "Video: Canadians learn about the families they are helping make happy as part of the McHappy Day fundraiser, Wednesday, May 4th, where $1 from every Big Mac, Happy Meal or hot McCafé beverage goes to support the 14 Ronald McDonald Houses and other local children’s charities.". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20160503_C5167_VIDEO_EN_682657.mp4&posterurl=http%3a%2f%2fphotos.newswire.ca%2fimages%2f20160503_C5167_PHOTO_EN_682657.jpg&order=1&jdd=20160503&cnum=C5167

Image with caption: "McHappy Day celebrations took place across Canada Wednesday. In Toronto, McDonald’s Canada founder George Cohon joined Regional VP Victor Rocca, RMHC Canada’s Cathy Loblaw, the Mitchell family (guests at Ronald McDonald House Toronto), and Ronald McDonald to help raise money for thousands of families. (CNW Group/McDonald's Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160503_C5167_PHOTO_EN_682715.jpg

For further information: Jennifer Wasley, Weber Shandwick, jwasley@webershandwick.com, 416-642-7903; Adam Grachnik, McDonald's Canada, adam.grachnik@ca.mcd.com, 416-446-3354; Or McDonald's Media Relations Line, media.relations@ca.mcd.com, 1-877-786-3342