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McHappy Day is back, and local families as well as various charities benefit from this one-day initiative of giving back.
For 44 years, McDonald's Canada has been a proud supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities across Canada.
Funds raised help provide accommodations, meals, mental health support, and more to families with sick and injured children across Canada.
2024 was the biggest McHappy Day, raising $8.9 million nationally for RMHC Houses and Family Rooms across Canada and other local children's charities.
As well as supporting Ronald McDonald House in Toronto, a portion of the proceeds from every menu item sold at McDonald's locations in Barrie on May 8 will be directed to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH).
The hospital has received $266,000 from the local McHappy Day.
According to Jason O'Neill, who owns restaurants in the Barrie, Bradford, and Orillia areas, frontline staff appreciate the importance of McHappy Day.
"We have a wonderful team. We don't need to motivate them. They get that they are helping families in the community."
237 families from the Barrie-Simcoe region were supported in 2024, according to McDonald's Canada.
If you aren't looking to fill up on a Big Mac and fries, McHappy Day can be supported by other means.
"We have merchandise for sale," says Trevor McKee, owner/operator of the Bayfield Street McDonald's. "We have Grimace socks, Grimace hats, Grimace sweaters, and Grimace key chains."
If you can't make it out to a restaurant, McKee says there is always delivery service, and on May 8, there is no delivery fee.
Several local dignitaries participate in McHappy Day, often volunteering at one of the drive-thru windows.
O'Neill says the success of the day is made possible by so many people.
"It's our team members and our community. We can't thank you enough that we can put on the happiest day of the year."
