The Penticton Vees were at a local McDonalds Thursday morning to lend a McHelping Hand, assisting in raising funds for the 25th annual McHappy Day.
McHappy Day is McDonald’s annual fundraising day to help raise money for Ronald McDonald House. Each year, every Canadian McDonald’s restaurant donates $1 from every hot beverage, Big Mac and Happy Meal purchased on McHappy Day.
“The money will be donated to Ronald McDonald House in Vancouver, as well as half the money staying here in Penticton for the Boys and Girls Club,” said Caitlyn Knowles, people manager for McDonald’s in Penticton and Osooyos. “We’ve also been raising money in advance in the form of cash donations in preparation of today, and also selling McDonald’s swag to help out.”
Ronald McDonald House provides a place to stay for families with hospitalized children. There are currently 366 Ronald McDonald Houses across 42 countries and regions. Fourteen of the houses are located in Canada.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of McHappy Day, which has raised over $56 million since it’s inception.
“We would like to break the $10,000 mark between our three restaurants,” Knowles said. “We were pretty close last year so we just need a little push to get it done. It’s a fun day in the restaurant; it’s great too see return customers year after year, and it’s all about the kids.”
There were 91 families in the South Okanagan region that used Ronald McDonald House last year, and Knowles said some of those families were coming to the restaurant to volunteer.
Anyone who goes to McDonald’s Thursday will have had the opportunity to purchase specials socks, pencils, pins, coffee mugs and bracelets with all the proceeds going to charity.