Time to be McHappy, as Five Counties Chosen as Beneficiary in Cobourg & Port Hope

Pete Fisher
8 months ago
• Categories: Upcoming Events

Enjoying a Big Mac® will be a big deal at McDonald’s® on May 8 as it will mean supporting children and youth in Northumberland County.

Five Counties Children’s Centre has been chosen as the local children’s charity that will benefit from the annual McHappy Day® campaign that launches on April 1. The highlight of the fundraising campaign will be McHappy Day on May 8 at the McDonald’s locations in Cobourg and Port Hope.

“We are extremely grateful to McDonald’s restaurants in Port Hope and Cobourg for choosing Five Counties to be the beneficiary of the annual McHappy Day campaign in Northumberland,” says Scott Pepin, CEO of Five Counties Children’s Centre. “Fundraising efforts like this one allow Five Counties to serve more kids, ensuring they can get the care they need when they need it.”

Every year, McDonald’s restaurants across Canada support local children’s charities by collecting donations and dedicating a portion of sales on McHappy Day (May 8). In 2023, McHappy Day raised more than $7.5 million across Canada for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) as well as local children’s charities.

“We are thrilled to have Five Counties Children’s Center as our designated charity for 2024!” says Lisa Wilson, owner and operator of McDonald’s restaurants in Cobourg and Port Hope. “Our amazing teams in Port Hope and Cobourg look forward to serving our guests and supporting Five Counties Children’s Centre and Ronald McDonald House Charities as they make a difference for the children and families in our communities.” Ms. Wilson’s Port Hope and Cobourg restaurants have raised over $145,000 since 2014 for local children’s charities and Ronald McDonald House Charities through McHappy Day.

To support Five Counties, local residents are encouraged to visit a McDonald’s location in Cobourg or Port Hope. On the actual McHappy Day on May 8, Five Counties staff, volunteers, families and supporters will be at McDonald’s locations to collect donations and thank visitors for dropping by.

“Enjoying a McDonald’s meal or treat on McHappy Day sends a strong message of support to our kids and families that they matter, and that the community believes in them,” notes Lyn Giles, Director of Fund Development at Five Counties.

All money raised from McHappy Day for Five Counties will go towards its Building Abilities For Life Campaign, which funds priority, high-demand services like speech therapy and occupational therapy in an effort to reduce long waiting times for these critical services.

About Five Counties
Five Counties Children’s Centre has been dedicated to supporting children and youth with physical, developmental and communications needs for nearly 50 years. Last year, Five Counties provided treatment services for more than 1,615 children and youth in Northumberland County. In total, across its entire region which includes Northumberland, as well as Peterborough, Haliburton County and the City of Kawartha Lakes, more than 6,200 children and youth benefited last year from its programs, that include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and other treatment services.

About Ronald McDonald House
Ronald McDonald Houses provide out-of-town families with a place to stay while their child is being treated at a nearby hospital. There are 16 RMHs across Canada, as well as 17 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms located within hospitals. In an average year, the RMHC network of programs in Canada helps to keep more than 26,000 families close to their sick child and the care they need.

Photo Caption:
DON’T WORRY, BE McHAPPY: Five Counties has been selected as the local kids’ charity that will benefit from McHappy Day on May 8 at McDonald’s restaurants in Cobourg and Port Hope. Five Counties client Tripp is dressed for success, and encourages everyone to come out that day to show their support.