McHappy Day Gives Canadian Children's Charities 3.4 Million Reasons to Smile

McDonald's restaurants raise $3.4 million in one day for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Canada and local children's charities

TORONTO, ON (May 12, 2011) - On May 11th, McDonald’s restaurants in Canada celebrated another successful McHappy Day, raising $3.4 million during the 18th edition of McDonald’s most well-known national fundraising event. The much-needed funds raised in local communities across Canada will help support children in need and their families through children’s charities across the country such as the Ronald McDonald Houses.

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

“From all of us at McDonald’s, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our customers, local restaurant owners, suppliers and our crew from across Canada for helping make our 18th McHappy Day a resounding success,” said John Betts, President and CEO, McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited. “We deeply appreciate the support shown by local community leaders, politicians, media and sports personalities as well as special guest volunteers for joining us and supporting kids in need and their families on McHappy Day.”

On McHappy Day, more than 1,430 McDonald’s restaurants in Canada donated $1 from every Big Mac® sandwich, Happy Meal®, Premium Roast Coffee and Premium Tea sold to local children's charities such as Ronald McDonald House®. In addition, many restaurants ran fundraising events and activities to generate additional funds for their charities of choice throughout the year.

“The support we’ve seen from communities large and small across Canada has been tremendous,” said Cathy Loblaw, Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Canada. “On behalf of the 12 - soon to be 14 - Ronald McDonald Houses across Canada and the families they serve, we are incredibly grateful for the support of McDonald’s and their customers throughout the year and on McHappy Day.”

Since McHappy Day was introduced in 1977, the national one-day fundraising event has raised more than $35 million for RMHC, the Ronald McDonald House® program 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 raising more than $37 million to-date. As a result of the continued success of McHappy Day in Canada, it is now celebrated annually worldwide - uniting McDonald’s restaurants around the world in support of children and families in need.

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For Canadians who missed McHappy Day, or are looking for additional ways to give, they can still text MCHAPPY to 30333 to make a $5 donation* to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Canada. www.rmhc.ca also provides information on Ronald McDonald House Charities of Canada fundraising events and activities taking place year round. Visitwww.rmhc.ca to learn more about Ronald McDonald Houses and the families they support.