Port Perry, Uxbridge McDonald's locations look to make four charities McHappy

DAN CEARNS, The Standard

NORTH DURHAM: The Scugog and Uxbridge communities are invited to come support four local children’s charities, when McHappy Day returns, on Wednesday, May 10th.

On McHappy Day, a portion of the proceeds from food and beverage sales, at local McDonald’s restaurants, are donated towards local children’s charities. This year, Port Perry and Uxbridge’s McDonald’s restaurants will be raising funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities, the Jennifer Ashleigh Childrens Charity, Precious Minds and Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Durham.

“It fills my heart to support these charities. It thrills me to see how both the Communities of Scugog and Uxbridge come together to support our restaurants and our cause! Charities are, at this time, having financial difficulties and we want to somewhat ease their burden,” franchise owner, Ginger Jackson told The Standard.

Chas Harding, Executive Director of Precious Minds, explained what it means to the local charity to be one of the recipients of this fundraiser.

“Precious Minds is incredibly thankful, to be one of the 2023 McHappy Day recipients, along with three other amazing children’s charities. [This is] such a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness about the work we all do in the community and to raise some much-needed funding to support the programs we offer. A heartfelt thank you, to the Sandy and Ginger Jackson and the wonderful staff teams at both McDonald’s locations, for all their hard work organizing and making McHappy Day so meaningful and memorable for us all.”

Margaret Ayres, Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Durham, said, in a statement, how much her organization enjoys being part of this event.

“We all love being part of this event each year. Working alongside the McDonald’s team and our charity peers to plan this event with one goal in mind, helping children in North Durham, is a true joy and we are honoured to be part of this team.”

Jennifer Ashleigh Childrens Charity Executive Director, Adrienne Grant said, she is pleased to have her charity be a part of this annual event.

“Thank you, to the Jackson Family, the restaurant teams and the community for your generous support. McHappy Day is always a high quality, impactful and fantastic day. We are honoured to be working alongside such wonderful people and charities.”

In an online post on their website, Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada (RMHC) stated their appreciation for people and organizations who support them.

“In an average year, RMHC, across Canada, supports over 26,000 families, and we couldn’t do it without your help. With your support [on] this McHappy Day, we can help more families from your community stay close, because when families stay together, sick children get stronger.”