LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (McDonald's) -- Central Arkansas McDonald's® will celebrate McHappy Day® from November 10-20, which marks the 10th Annual "Give A Hand" fundraiser to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC)® - the company's "Charity of Choice" for 38 years.
November 10 through November 20, Central Arkansas area residents are invited to visit a participating U.S. McDonald's restaurant to show their support for local families in need by purchasing a paper "Give A Hand." Again this year, customers can donate to the Charity in denominations of $1, $3, or $5, with all proceeds from the "Give A Hand" fundraiser going to support RMHC.
"Our community has always been eager to help others and over the past year, with McDonald's customer and employee support, Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Arkansas has helped more than 800 families," said David Stokes, a local McDonald's Owner/Operator. "Central Arkansas McDonald's are proud to support their cause and encourage our customers to participate in the 'Give A Hand' fundraiser to continue working together as a community to help local families with seriously ill children."
In addition to the in-restaurant fundraising program, customers can also show their support for RMHC by participating in the "Give A Hand" online sweepstakes. Customers are invited to write messages of support for RMHC on their hand, take a picture, and submit it online via @McDonalds Twitter page for the chance to help RMHC and win prizes. Each day throughout the campaign, one winner will be selected at random to receive a $50 Arch Card for themselves and a $500 donation for their local RMHC Chapter. More information on the sweepstakes can be found at http://bit.ly/mcdgah. See Official Rules for details: http://bit.ly/McDGAHRules. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Subject to Official Rules.
McDonald's commitment to RMHC and local charitable programs in Arkansas extends beyond the annual "Give A Hand" fundraiser. As part of the company's ongoing support of the Charity, McDonald's donates a portion of the proceeds from the sale of each Happy Meal® and Mighty Kids Meal® purchased in participating U.S. restaurants every day.
In addition, McDonald's also supports in-restaurant RMHC Donation Boxes to benefit RMHC. Last year McDonald's customers raised $27 million nationwide for RMHC through the in-restaurant Donation Boxes, demonstrating how every penny adds up.
Social responsibility has been a fundamental part of McDonald's business for more than 50 years. McDonald's actions are grounded in founder Ray Kroc's legacy of giving back to the local communities in which it serves. With a shared history that dates back to McDonald's support in the creation of the first Ronald McDonald House® in 1974, McDonald's has supported RMHC and its mission to improve the health and well-being of children around the world. McHappy Day is McDonald's global signature event for RMHC, and an important day to call attention to the needs of children around the world.