If you go to a McDonald's restaurant in Newmarket tomorrow, you may see a familiar face behind the counter or at the drive-thru.
May 10 is McHappy Day in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) and other local charities, including Southlake Regional Health Centre's maternal child program.
“McHappy Day is a special day when Canadians in caring communities from coast-to-coast join together, raising awareness and essential funding to support families with sick children staying with RMHC across Canada,” said Kate Horton, CEO, RMHC Canada.
Newmarket community members, including town councillors, Southlake Foundation CEO Jennifer Ritter, and NewmarketToday editor Debora Kelly will be helping out by taking on a role at the restaurant for a portion of the day.
Mayor John Taylor will be at the McDonald's at Eagle and Yonge streets from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Councillors Bob Kwapis and Trevor Morrison will also be there at that time, along with Debora Kelly.
Councillors Grace Simon and Victor Woodhouse will be at the Davis Drive location from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., assistant deputy fire chief Claude Duval will be there from noon to 1 p.m. and Jennifer Ritter will be there at 2:30 p.m.
Proceeds from all menu items sold all day May 10 will support RMHC and local charities like Southlake.
This year marks the 29th McHappy Day for McDonald's Canada. It is the company's longest-running and largest charitable initiative, with more than 1,400 McDonald's restaurants celebrating McHappy Day this year.
There are 16 Ronald McDonald Houses across Canada where out-of-town families can stay near a hospital while their child is receiving treatment. On average, they support more than 26,000 families every year.
Despite being able to provide 160,000 overnight stays for families in an average year at Ronald McDonald Houses and Family Rooms across Canada, the need continues, the company states. Today, RMHC is only meeting 20 per cent of the need for the service. Each year, more than 3,000 families never make it off RMHC waitlists, with an estimated 45,000 Canadian families left without the comfort and support of RMHC. McHappy Day provides critical funding for RMHC to continue to be there for families when they need it most.
