McHappy Day is here, and McDonald's across the country are welcoming people in to help support Ronald McDonald houses in their local area. For Saskatchewan, a Ronald McDonald House in Saskatoon has been helping out tons of people from the southeast.
Farrokh Javanmardi, the supervisor who oversees the Estevan and Weyburn McDonald's, talked about the day and what it brings to the community.
"Today is McHappy Day, and McHappy Day is sharing love, and we did the 31st anniversary for McHappy Day."
The Saskatoon Ronald McDonald House is celebrating its 40th year of operation, with the money raised going towards the building.
Javanmardi says a whole lot of community figures make appearances throughout the day to help drum up support.
"We have some VIPs, from politics, from the city and from the police station, fire chief, they will join us to support that event."
Javanmardi says he has experience with close friends having to stay at the Ronald McDonald House in Saskatoon, saying that it's a great resource for families to have.
That's a sentiment echoed by Bobbi-Jo Davis, who's had some experience with the houses as her son has had to have multiple surgeries, which resulted in unexpectedly long stays.
Through that, she's very supportive of the charity and all they do.
"We ourselves have experienced 33 nightstays up in Saskatoon. It's been a wonderful organization. They're supportive in ways that you don't even realize you need until you're there. And it's also great because you're staying with people who are also going through similar situations to yourselves. So there's a lot of group support, essentially to talk with other families and parents."
Some of the work helps to alleviate the burden of travelling to another city for surgery, which Davis appreciates.
"The first time we came to the Ronald McDonald House, we showed up and they gave us a gift bag of like shampoo and conditioner. The rooms sometimes have deodorant, toothbrushes. When something happens to your child, you're not worried about what you're going to need later. You're worried about the now. And it's so nice and relieving when you get there. You're like, I need a toothbrush. And you look in the bathroom and there is just one there."
Seven years ago, Davis found out that her son had a fused skull. Originally booked for only a five-day stint at the hospital, her son's round of surgeries forced her to stay in Saskatoon for three weeks.
Since their original stay, Davis says she's been impressed by how much the organization has grown.
"When we started staying at the Ronald McDonald House, which was almost seven years ago now, the movements that they've made forward and the more offers of essential things that you need. Like you don't think about eating as a parent when you have a sick child. You're not worried about that or trying to get to the grocery store or order something even."
"They're always there, ready with open arms to help you out."
Human Resources at Ronald McDonald House Charities Saskatchewan, Kelly Humphrey, says that communities like Estevan always bring plenty of support for the fundraiser, and the charity does everything it can to help people out in the area.
"Estevan and Weyburn have always been so supportive in terms of McHappy Day. The crew is amazing. They get in there. The community is amazing. A little fun fact that we were talking about is that we did some stats to see the communities that we serve, and Estevan is number three in the number of families that we served in 2024."
The service that the Ronald McDonald House provides to families is important, according to Humphrey, because it can help them through a tough time in their lives.
"We're all bubbly and happy today. I mean, this is to support something that isn't always the best for families. They are going there because their child is ill, but it provides a safe, comfortable, warm environment for them while their child is recovering from their illness."
People can purchase regular orders at McDonald's today to contribute, donate directly, or buy some McHappy Day merchandise available at the store.
Humphrey reminds people to consider the roundup program, which rounds up your order to the nearest dollar and gives the Ronald McDonald House a year-round source for fundraising.