TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 05/04/12 -- McDonald's restaurants in Canada celebrated another successful McHappy Day, raising more than $3.5 million at the 19th annual national fundraising event. The much-needed funds raised in communities across Canada will help support children in need and their families through local children's charities across the country such as Ronald McDonald House®.

Including funds from yesterday's McHappy Day fundraising event, McDonald's has raised more than $8.1 million in the past year for Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) Canada, and local children's charities such as Ronald McDonald Houses.

"To our customers, our local restaurant owners, our suppliers and our crew across Canada, I'd like to say a heartfelt thank you from all of us at McDonald's Canada," said John Betts, President and CEO, McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited. "Your support championed the importance of family moments by giving seriously ill children and their families what they need most - each other."

On McHappy Day, more than 1,400 McDonald's restaurants in Canada donated one dollar from every Big Mac® sandwich, Happy Meal®, and hot McCafe® beverage sold to benefit local children's charities across the country such as Ronald McDonald House. In addition, many restaurants ran fundraising events and activities throughout the year to generate additional funds for their charities of choice.

"Another night sleeping on a hospital chair is a reality families with seriously ill children often face," said Cathy Loblaw, Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada. "Thanks to the tremendous support of McDonald's and their customers, this year we're able to offer more than 10,000 families an open door to a welcoming House."

Since McHappy Day was introduced in 1977, the national one-day fundraising event has raised more than $38 million for RMHC, the Ronald McDonald House program and local children's charities across Canada. In addition, McDonald's donates 10 cents from every Happy Meal sold every day in Canada to RMHC raising more than $40 million to-date. As a result of the continued success of McHappy Day in Canada, it is now celebrated worldwide - uniting McDonald's restaurants around the world in support of children and families in need.

Ronald McDonald House Charities Launches 364 More Days of Giving

Canadians who missed McHappy Day, or who are looking for additional ways to give, can text MCHAPPY to 30333 to make a $5 donation(i) to Ronald McDonald House Charities Canada. Visit www.rmhc.ca to learn more about Ronald McDonald Houses as well as other fundraising events and activities taking place throughout the year.

About McDonald's Canada

McDonald's is the leading foodservice company in the world. McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited and its Canadian franchisees own and operate more than 1,400 restaurants and employ more than 80,000 Canadians coast to coast. More than 80 per cent of McDonald's Canadian restaurants are locally owned and operated by independent, local businessmen and women. For more information about McDonald's Canada, visit the company's website at www.mcdonalds.ca.

www.facebook.com/McDonaldsCanada

www.twitter.com/McD_Canada

(i)A one-time donation of $5 will be added to your mobile phone bill. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. One hundred per cent of the collected donations will go to RMHC Canada.