Ryan McCullough's McHappy Day Hero Fundraiser

Ends: September 26, 2021

My wife Jenine and I are so excited that this year marks the 40th anniversary of Ronald McDonald House Charities... keeping families close in Canada. Their life-changing services have helped so many in our community, and all of the things that RMHC continues to do every day is nothing short of amazing. McHappy Day is one of the biggest ways McDonald's support the charity annually. This year, it falls on September 22nd. In addition to the fundraising we'll be doing in-restaurant during this incredible day of community giving, I've decided to fundraise online as well through this McHappy Day Hero fundraiser. For the last ten years, I’ve had the privilege of being a McDonald’s Owner/Operator and have been able to work closely with RMHC many times. Before that though, I taught Theatre and Musical Theatre at a high school in Thunder Bay. My background in acting and singing led me to put on both musicals and plays that helped to benefit local food banks and other charities. Directing students and producing musicals allowed me to connect with people in my community and our shows offered us the opportunity to give back to those in our area who needed our support. When I eventually became a McDonald’s franchisee, I rediscovered the ability to do both of those things with RMHC. Through McDonald’s, I could interact with and get to know amazing people, and ultimately offer my support to the families of sick children. To this day, I remain grateful that becoming a McDonald’s Owner/Operator allowed me to continue to give back to people in my community. Even though I knew just how special RMHC was, having children allowed me to gain an even greater appreciation for the work that they do. I found myself developing even stronger connections to the families I met through RMHC, and wanted even more to give McDonald’s back to these sick children and their families staying at Ronald McDonald Houses. It’s been so important to our leadership team that we continue to identify Magic Moments, where we can brighten the day of a child at an RMHC House by surprising them with their favourite treat. The joy it brings doesn’t end with that child though; our McDonald’s team takes enormous pride in being involved with RMHC and participating in all of the events throughout the year. Our team emphasizes the importance of RMHC on the first day you join our company during our Crew Orientation, and we have been so pleased to help the charity in any we can. As our entire McDonald’s family can attest, there is truly no better feeling in the world than helping a family with a sick child when they need our support the most. For 40 years, RMHC has given Canadians the comfort of being close to their sick children, and in Manitoba, we are so excited for the new Ronald McDonald House that is being built this year. If its past serves as any indication, the future for RMHC in Canada is bound to be incredible, and I cannot wait to see what else we, as supporters, can do to remain involved. If you’d like to support McHappy Day this year, and be a McHappy Day Hero to local sick children and their families in need, please donate to this McHappy Day Hero fundraiser. Every little bit helps families stay close when and where it's needed most. ❤️ #MyRMHCStory | #KeepingFamiliesClose