(Submitted to Quinte News)
Smiles are always on the menu, and they were certainly evident at the recent McHappy Day that served up another year of life-changing impact for children in need of treatment and support.
McHappy Day, held on May 8 at the McDonald’s locations in Port Hope and Cobourg raised more than $29,000 in total. It marks the second consecutive year in which local residents came through to support Five Counties Children’s Centre and Ronald McDonald House Charities.
For this McHappy Day, three-quarters of the money raised in Cobourg and Port Hope – or approximately $21,750 – will support the kids/clients at Five Counties Children’s Centre. Specifically, the funds will help to cover high-demand services like speech and occupational therapies, ensuring more kids in Northumberland County can get the care they need when they need it. The balance of the McHappy Day funds – around $7,250 – will help families who use Ronald McDonald House Charities which provides out-of-town families with a place to stay while their child is being treated in hospital.
Every year, McDonald’s restaurants across Canada support local kids’ charities by collecting donations and dedicating a portion of sales on McHappy Day. For Lisa Wilson, owner and operator of the McDonald’s restaurants in Cobourg and Port Hope, McHappy Day is one of the best days on the calendar, and she appreciates the generosity shown by the Cobourg and Port Hope communities.
“We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support shown to us on McHappy Day by our community,” she says. “Residents in Northumberland County are very generous, and this shines through with their continued support for two important charities, Five Counties and Ronald McDonald House.”
For Five Counties CEO Scott Pepin, the results from McHappy Day are only part of the story.
“McHappy Day creates an opportunity to interact and engage with the community, while witnessing the amazing support and enthusiasm that the day generates,” Pepin says. “We had wonderful support from our staff, volunteers, kids, families, partners, and supporters on McHappy Day. We also want to thank Lisa and her entire team at McDonald’s for again selecting Five Counties to be the local charity to benefit from McHappy Day. The McDonald’s team members were gracious and enthusiastic hosts for the event.”
