McDonald's to host annual World Children's Day fundraiser

Date: 11/17/2008

HARTFORD, Conn. This November, participating McDonald's restaurants in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts will help Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts through the annual World Children's Day fundraising event.

McDonald's customers can show their support to RMHC through the "Give A Hand" program when they purchase a colorful paper hand in-restaurant through Nov. 20. The paper hands are sold for $1 each and contain educational messages about the charity, with proceeds going to support both RMHC Global and the local RMHC chapter. Hands will be displayed at participating restaurants throughout November, reminding residents to lend a hand to support those in need.

On Nov. 20, which is World Children's Day, participating McDonald's restaurants will donate one dollar from each sale of Breakfast Extra Value Meals and beef sandwiches (excluding Happy Meals and Mighty Kid Meals) to RMHC.

In addition, new this year, is an online extension of the in-restaurant "Give A Hand" program. Consumers around the globe can download the "Give A Hand for Ronald McDonald House Charities" online widget application to their Facebook or MySpace page to pledge their support to RMHC. There, consumers can also donate to RMHC and share the "Give A Hand" with their friends and family online to raise awareness for the Charity. For the first 20,000 Hands shared throughout November, McDonald's will donate $1 per Hand to RMHC.

"McDonald's restaurants throughout Connecticut and Western Massachusetts are proud to support World Children's Day to help make a positive impact on the health and well-being of children right here in our own community," said Jim McGarry, McDonald's owner/operator and president of the Connecticut and Western Massachusetts McDonald's Owner/Operator Association. "Even in these trying economic times, it's important for communities to come together to help those in need. We're always grateful for the support of our local neighbors, employees and customers who demonstrate their generosity every year during November in support of our World Children's Day campaign."

Marking the seventh year of the global fundraiser, World Children's Day at McDonald's is a program to raise funds and awareness for RMHC and other children's causes both in local communities and around the world. This event takes place each year in more than 100 countries, and to date, McDonald's and its customers have raised over $124 million on World Children's Day.

Locally, since 1988, RMHC of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts has provided more than $5.5 million to over 350 non-profit organizations, helping thousands of area children lead happier, healthier and more productive lives.