McDonald’s® Canada Celebrates Its 18th McHappy Day

Canadians unite to raise funds for local children's charities across the country such as Ronald McDonald House

TORONTO, ON (May 10, 2011) - Wednesday, May 11th marks the 18th McHappy Day in the history of McDonald’s Canada. On this special day, one dollar from every Big Mac®sandwich, Happy Meal®, Premium Roast Coffee and Premium Tea sold goes to local children’s charities across the country such as Ronald McDonald House. First celebrated in Canada, McHappy Day is now celebrated annually worldwide - uniting McDonald’s restaurants around the globe in support of children in need.

“McDonald’s has always believed in giving back to the communities we serve,” said John Betts, President and CEO, McDonald’s Restaurants of Canada Limited. “Since 1977, McDonald’s Canada has hosted its most well-known fundraising event - McHappy Day, bringing together our employees, our customers, our suppliers and special guests in the spirit of helping children and their families in need across Canada.”

On McHappy Day, McDonald’s Canada, its franchisees, and restaurant employees across the country will be joined by a variety of special guests, including local sports and media personalities, politicians, community leaders, and entertainers. Together in true McHappy Day spirit they will roll up their sleeves to work behind-the-counter and participate in other restaurant activities to raise much-needed funds for Canadian children in need and their families.

“We are thrilled that McHappy Day has raised more than $32 million for Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) of Canada, the Ronald McDonald House program and hundreds of other local children’s charities since its inception and to see this Canadian initiative now resonate all over the world is incredibly rewarding,” said George Cohon, founder of McDonald’s Canada and creator of McHappy Day. In addition to McHappy Day, McDonald’s has raised more than $33 million for RMHC and local Ronald McDonald Houses since 2004 through the 10 Cent Happy Meal program.

“McHappy Day is just one of the many ways McDonald’s demonstrates its strong ongoing commitment to supporting RMHC and the Ronald McDonald House program,” said Cathy Loblaw, Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Canada. “Ronald McDonald Houses are experiencing an incredible period of growth with two new Houses opening in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Red Deer, Alberta, along with our expanding network of 12 existing Houses that will allow us to double the number of families we serve each year from 10,000 families to more than 20,000 families each and every year.”

Each Ronald McDonald House provides a home-away-from-home for families of seriously ill and disabled children who are being treated at nearby children’s hospitals.

Canadians can also show their McHappy Day support all year long by texting MCHAPPY to 30333 to make a $5 donation* to RMHC of Canada and by “Liking” McDonald’s Canada on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/McDonaldsCanada). To receive McHappy Day updates from across the country, Canadians are encouraged to follow McDonald’s Canada on Twitter (www.twitter.com/McD_Canada).

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 1,430 restaurants and employ more than 77,000 Canadians coast to coast. Approximately 80 per cent of McDonald’s Canadian restaurants are locally owned and operated by local businessmen and women. For more information about McDonald’s Canada, visit the company’s website at www.mcdonalds.ca.