Portage la Prairie’s McDonald’s was filled with energy and excitement on Thursday, as the local community came together to support an important cause. The annual McHappy Day event raised funds for the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) in Winnipeg.
Jebin Joseph, the manager at the Portage la Prairie McDonald’s, spoke about the event’s significance.
“Last year, we did around $86,000 just for the communities around Portage, about 23 communities around Portage got help from this location," he explained. "We have stores out in Brandon and Neepawa, overall we did almost $400,000 worth of donations."
Supporting the Ronald McDonald House
Ronald McDonald House Charities operates two Winnipeg locations: the original house, located on McMicken Street, and the more recent addition, the Ronald McDonald Family Room at the Health Sciences Centre. These locations provide families with a supportive environment while their children receive medical treatment in nearby hospitals.
The RMHC facilities in Winnipeg are vital for families traveling from across the region to access medical care. With 16 specialty children's hospitals across Canada, many families must travel long distances for treatment, and Ronald McDonald Houses provide a safe, comfortable space for them to stay close to their child’s care.
The Impact of the Community
McHappy Day not only provides an opportunity to give back, but it also strengthens the sense of community. Volunteers from local organizations and businesses eagerly came together to lend a hand.
Joseph reflected on the community’s involvement, saying, “It’s just the wonderful day of the year for McDonald's, to be honest...We had the mayor come in and the deputy mayor. We see RCMP is coming and we got the firefighters coming, but everyone is thrilled to come here and help us every single year...Like they like to come back every single year and our guests love this, to be honest, when we have people out there, when you have the mayor giving the food out to you."
The event also had a steady flow of visitors and community members eager to help.
“Our guests love it when they see the mayor or a firefighter handing them their meal. It creates a real sense of community,” Joseph adds.
Continuing the Tradition of Giving
While McHappy Day is an important day for fundraising, the support for RMHC doesn’t stop there. Funds continue to be raised year-round through McDonald’s locations across Canada.
With continued local involvement and generous donations, this year’s McHappy Day proved to be another successful event, showcasing the power of coming together to support a worthy cause.