Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

MCHAPPY DAY

Annual McHappy Day fundraiser satisfies Kamloops’ fast food cravings — for a good cause

May 11, 2022 | 4:20 PM

KAMLOOPS — Wednesday (May 11) is McHappy Day across Canada and in Kamloops all McDonald’s locations are working to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities.

A portion of the sales from every menu item — not just Big Macs — will go towards Ronald McDonald House. The charity provides support and a place to stay for sick kids and families who have to travel to another city to receive specialized medical care.

Brandy Gozda-Sekhon is the owner-operator of McDonald’s locations in Kamloops and Merritt and has taken part in every McHappy Day since the annual fundraiser began. She says it’s become a very meaningful event.

“Twenty-seven families from Kamloops actually stayed at the Ronald McDonald House last year, and there are over 140 families from our area — Cache Creek, Merritt — that all were able to use it,” she explains. “Kamloops comes out and they come out in a big way, which is fantastic. And we’re so proud to be a part of the community.”

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Each year the Kamloops locations collectively raise tens of thousands of dollars and Gozda-Sekhon says they have been able to see the impact of local donations.

“I’ve actually been down to the Ronald McDonald House (in Vancouver),” says Gozda-Sekhon. “Pre-COVID, I’ve gone to make some family meals for them, which is so much fun. Hopefully in the next couple of years we’ll be able to spend a bit more time down there and see everyone. It’s definitely something that we see all the time.”

According to Ronald McDonald House Charities, the organization annually supports more than 26,000 families from more than 3,400 communities across Canada.