Through the annual “Give A Hand” in-restaurant fundraiser can help raise funds to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities®
Oak Brook, Ill. (November, 10, 2012) – Today, McDonald’s® are celebrating McHappy Day®, the official kick-off of the 10th Annual “Give A Hand” fundraiser to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC)® – the company’s “Charity of Choice” for 38 years.
Beginning today through November 20, consumers are invited to visit a participating U.S. McDonald’s restaurant to show their support for local families in need by purchasing a paper “Give A Hand.” Again this year, customers can donate to the Charity in denominations of $1, $3, or $5, with all proceeds from the “Give A Hand” fundraiser going to support RMHC.
This summer, McDonald’s hosted its first-ever “Give A Hand” Volunteer Awards program (GAHVA) for customers to support RMHC through acts of volunteerism. This new sweepstakes program was designed to inspire and educate families around volunteerism, and help build young volunteers’ character and compassion to get involved in their local communities; winners were awarded monetary awards
In addition to GAHVA and the in-restaurant fundraising program, customers can also show their support for RMHC by participating in the “Give A Hand” online sweepstakes. Customers are invited to write messages of support for RMHC on their hand, take a picture, and submit it online via @McDonalds Twitter page for the chance to help RMHC and win prizes. Each day throughout the campaign, one winner will be selected at random to receive a $50 Arch Card for themselves and a $500 donation for their local RMHC Chapter. More information on the sweepstakes can be found at http://bit.ly/mcdgah. See Official Rules for details: http://bit.ly/McDGAHRules. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Subject to Official Rules.
McDonald’s commitment to RMHC and local charitable programs extend beyond the annual “Give A Hand” fundraiser. As part of the company’s ongoing support of the Charity, McDonald’s donates a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each Happy Meal® and Mighty Kids Meal® purchased in participating U.S. restaurants every day.
In addition, McDonald’s also supports in-restaurant RMHC Donation Boxes to benefit RMHC. Last year McDonald’s customers raised $27 million nationwide for RMHC through the in-restaurant Donation Boxes, demonstrating how every penny adds up.
Social responsibility has been a fundamental part of McDonald’s business for more than 50 years. McDonald’s actions are grounded in founder Ray Kroc’s legacy of giving back to the local communities in which it serves. With a shared history that dates back to McDonald’s support in the creation of the first Ronald McDonald House® in 1974, McDonald’s has supported RMHC and its mission to improve the health and well-being of children around the world. McHappy Day is McDonald’s global signature event for RMHC, and an important day to call attention to the needs of children around the world.
About McDonald’s
McDonald’s USA, LLC, is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome food made from quality ingredients to more than 26 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald’s 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local business men and women. Customers can now log online for free at any of the more than 12,000 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald’s U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter (@McDonalds) and Facebook (Facebook.com/McDonalds) for updates on our business, promotions and products.
About Ronald McDonald House Charities
Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®), a non-profit, 501 (c) (3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children. Through its global network of local Chapters in 57 countries and regions, its three core programs, the Ronald McDonald House®, Ronald McDonald Family Room® and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®, and millions of dollars in grants to support children’s programs worldwide, RMHC provides stability and resources to families so they can get and keep their children healthy and happy. All RMHC-supported programs provide a bridge to quality health care and give children and families the time they need together to heal faster and cope better. For more information, visit www.rmhc.org, follow RMHC on Twitter (@RMHC), or like RMHC on Facebook (Facebook.com/RMHC Global).
