McHappy Day supports local kids charities

On Wednesday, May 5, 2010 more than 1,400 McDonald’s restaurants across Canada will participate in their long-standing national fundraising event McHappy Day, where $1 from every Big Mac sandwich, McMuffin sandwich, and Happy Meal sold benefits local children’s charities across Canada. Each year, Kamloops McDonald’s franchisees donate a portion of their proceeds to Royal Inland Hospital Foundation, which will purchase much needed equipment for RIH’s pediatric floor, making a difference in the lives of local children in need.

“To be a part of McHappy Day at McDonald’s in Kamloops and Merritt is something that the Foundation is proud of”, says Veronica Carroll, Royal Inland Hospital Foundation Executive Officer. “McHappy Day contributes to the healthcare of children at Royal Inland Hospital and has done so since 2007 with a total of over $85,000”, adds Carroll.

Kamloops McDonald’s restaurants have invited local entertainers, sports figures, politicians, media representatives, friends and family to work in local McDonald’s franchises alongside McDonald’s employees, to create a special community event and unique fundraising initiative. Introduced in 1977, the national one-day fundraising event has raised more than $28.7 million for local children’s charities across Canada.

Royal Inland Hospital Foundation supports the needs of our tertiary hospital in Kamloops, which serves approximately 225,000 people from the area, as well as regional facilities, and carries on the tradition of raising funds for crucial patient care equipment, health sciences bursaries, and special programs. Children and youth with a wide range of disabilities, illnesses, and outpatient needs visit RIH on a daily bases, and many different specialty clinics for children are housed at Royal Inland Hospital.