BATTLEFORDS — McDonald’s Canada is hosting on Thursday, May 8 to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) and other local children's charities.
Local, independent franchisees participate in the promotion each year to support families with sick or injured children around the country.
Families like the Stahls from Ruthilda, who spent 215 nights and counting at RMHC Saskatchewan while their daughter, Marilee, who was born with a heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot and severe pulmonary stenosis, received treatment.
Without RMHC, the Stahl family would have been stressed by the travelling between their home and the hospital, as they live more than 150 kilometres away from the closest children’s hospital. The Stahls say RMHC Saskatchewan now holds a special place in their hearts, as they always felt welcomed by the staff and volunteers and formed special friendships with families walking a similar path. The sense of community and kindness received at RMHC really helped them go through their journey, they say.
Each year, McHappy Day raises funds to ensure RMHC can continue to support families across Canada when they need it most. All day long, a portion of proceeds from all food and beverage menu items sold will go to RMHC and other local children’s charities, making a meaningful difference in the lives of families with sick or injured children.
RMHC provides a safe space and essential support services for families with sick or injured children, so they can stay together and close to the medical treatment their child needs. RMHC supports families by providing:
- 16 Ronald McDonald House programs where families can stay together with the support and resources they need to focus on what matters most – caring for their sick child
- 19 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms where families can rest and recharge inside the hospital, steps away from their child
- The comforts of home including private bedrooms, fresh meals, and laundry facilities
- Access to full wellness programming as part of their healing journey like pet therapy, music therapy, fitness programs, yoga, and meditation
- Peer support from others who understand the unique challenges of caring for a sick child
In 2024, families from more than 230 communities have been supported by RMHC Saskatchewan. But today, RMHC is unable to support up to four out of five families who need the house program due to lack of space or no available program location, making initiatives like McHappy Day instrumental to RMHC’s ability to help families during a challenging time.
RMHC Saskatchewan:
• With one Ronald McDonald House in Saskatoon, and one Ronald McDonald Family Room in Prince Albert, RMHC Saskatchewan supported more than 230 communities last year.
•The Prairies are home to six Ronald McDonald Houses and two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms. Last year, the prairies supported nearly 800 communities.
• In 2024, RMHC across Canada supported more than 28,920 families. The highest number of families served and overnight stays in the history of the Canadian mission.
