McDonald's Restaurants Invite Customers to 'Give A Hand,' Support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California

• Press Release
• Source: Ronald McDonald House Charities
• On 10:00 am EST, Tuesday November 10, 2009

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, participating McDonald's restaurants across the U.S. began its signature 10-day fundraising event, McHappy Day, for which proceeds benefit the global and local chapters of Ronald McDonald House Charities. Consumers can participate in the McHappy Day fundraising event in three ways:

• Beginning Nov. 3, consumers can download the "Give A Hand for Ronald McDonald House Charities" online application to their Facebook page to pledge their support to Ronald McDonald House Charities. Through the application, consumers can share virtual Hands with friends and family to raise awareness for the Charity. McDonald's will donate $1 for each virtual Hand shared, up to $35,000.
• From Nov. 10 through Nov. 20, customers can "Give A Hand" to Ronald McDonald House Charities with the purchase of a $1 colorful paper Hand which contains educational messages about the organization. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the "Give A Hand" fundraiser will be donated to charity.
• On Nov. 20, $1 from the sale of each breakfast Extra Value Meal and beef sandwich Extra Value Meal will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities.

"Southern California McDonald's restaurants proudly support McHappy Day and we encourage our local communities to join us," said Neal Ruby, president of the McDonald's Operators' Association of Southern California. "With the help and generosity of our neighbors, employees and customers, we can continue to make a difference for the children and families in Southern California who rely on the extraordinary programs Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California has to offer."

"We are so thankful for the immense support we continually receive from McDonald's," said Nicole Rubin, CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California. "The funds raised each year enable us to provide comfort, care and support for patients, families, organizations and students that require assistance within our very own communities."

For more than 30 years Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California has been dedicated to creating a community where children and their families embrace life and healing with a sense of hope, enthusiasm, courage and joy. Throughout nine California counties, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern California currently operates five Ronald McDonald Houses, Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, two Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, a Community Grants Board, and four scholarship programs for exemplary high school students. The Ronald McDonald Houses, located in Bakersfield, Loma Linda, Los Angeles, Orange County and Pasadena, with one under development in Long Beach, provide shelter, support and comfort for families of children receiving treatment at nearby medical facilities. Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times provides free sleep-away camp experiences for kids with cancer and their families. The Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, located in CHOC Children's and CHOC Children's at Mission, provide the comfort and care of a Ronald McDonald House in a hospital setting. The Community Grants Board has awarded nearly 700 grants totaling more than $14.5 million to Southern California organizations that directly benefit children. The four scholarship programs have awarded more than $3.3 million in college scholarships to deserving high school seniors since 1990.

The McDonald's Operators' Association of Southern California is composed of more than 600 franchised and company-owned restaurants in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura.

    Media Contacts:  Liz Santos / Eniko Bolivar
                     Porter Novelli
                     (323) 762-2500
                     elizabeth.santos@porternovelli.com

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