Ronald McDonald House Charities

This November, McDonald's will host McHappy Day - their signature fundraising event for Ronald McDonald House Charities. For the past seven years, McDonald's fundraising efforts have raised more than $150 million for RMHC and other children's causes around the world through support from McDonald's customers, employees, owner/operators, and suppliers.

McDonald's and Ronald McDonald House Charities have a history that dates back to McDonald's support in the creation of the very first Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia in 1974.  Ronald McDonald House Charities has been McDonald's Charity of Choice for 35 years and is our largest corporate donor, but we still need your help in improving the quality of life for children around the world.

Highlights From Around the World in 2009

Here are some of the exceptional ways McDonald's and its customers around the world will show their support during McHappy Day this year.

Worldwide. Spreading the Word Digitally

Customers can show their support for RMHC by downloading the "Give a Hand for Ronald McDonald House Charities" application on Facebook. The application allows users to virtually "Give A Hand" to those in need, share Hands with Friends online, and pledge their support for RMHC and McHappy Day. In honor of McHappy Day and the 35th Anniversary of the first Ronald McDonald House, McDonald's USA will donate $1 per virtual Hand shared online to RMHC, up to 35,000 Hands. Consumers can visit http://www.facebook.com/giveahand to add the application to their Facebook profile and share Hands online.  So start sharing Hands today!

USA. Helping Children in Need.

For the eighth year, McDonald's restaurants across the country will be donating $1 from the sale of select menu items sold on November 20 to Ronald McDonald House Charities.  Customers in the U.S. could also support RMHC through the Give A Hand in-restaurant program.  For each hand sold at participating McDonald's restaurants, $1 will be given to support RMHC.

Singapore. Sharing Smiles for Kids.
In Singapore, customers will have the opportunity to purchase Ronald Smiles at $2 each to celebrate McHappy Day.  As part of the celebration, 1,000 students will smile their way into the Singapore Book of Records by wielding the Ronald Smiles. The students will also pen well-wishes on the back of these Ronald Smile cards, which will be used to dress up children’s wards in the local hospitals. The Ronald Smiles fundraising campaign expects to raise $100,000.

Australia. Celebrities Support McHappy Day in Australia
This year, McDonald's will be donating one dollar from every Big Mac sold to Ronald McDonald House Charities.  But it doesn't stop there!  Proceeds from Byron Bay Cookie Houses, McHappy Day Wristbands, and Crazy Straws will also be donated to the charity. To help raise awareness for the fundraiser, many of Australia’s favorite celebrities will be serving customers their Big Mac sandwich in select McDonald's restaurants on November 14. Their goal is to raise $2.5 million on McHappy Day!

Sweden. The world’s most important party!

This year in Sweden, McHappy Day will be the world’s most important party. Customers, no matter if they are tall or small, girls or boys – are encouraged to visit their local McDonald’s for a day of happiness and fun, while contributing to a good cause: supporting sick kids and their families by funding the fifth Ronald McDonald House in Sweden. A highly likeable kids’ artist called “Mojje” will be promoting Ronald McDonald House.

Canada. Raising $2.8 million for Children in Need  

In Canada, McHappy Day is the company’s longest-running and best-known national fundraiser.  This year’s May 6 celebration marked the 16^th anniversary of the event and raised more than $2.8 million. During McHappy Day, McDonald’s restaurants across Canada donated $1 from every Big Mac sandwich, McMuffin sandwich and Happy Meal sold to local children's charities across Canada. In addition, many restaurants held fundraising events leading up to McHappy Day to lend additional support.