On Wednesday, May 8th, 2024, local McDonald’s restaurants in Midland and Elmvale celebrated McHappy Day, where a portion of proceeds were donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities and the Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) Foundation. In total, the three local restaurants, including the Midland Walmart location, raised $40,000 to be split equally between the two organizations.
This represents the largest donation from local McHappy Day proceeds, and the $20,000 allocated to the GBGH Foundation will help to bring an MRI to GBGH.
“We are overwhelmed with the incredible support for this year’s McHappy Day,” says Carol Cruden, who owns the local McDonald’s franchises with her husband Mark. “Our customers, staff and the entire community make this event a great success every year, and especially this year! Thank you to everyone who participated to help us raise $40,000 for two very important causes.”
The community rallied around this year’s event, with dozens of volunteers coming out from GBGH, Midland, Penetanguishene & Springwater fire departments, Southern Georgian Bay OPP, local municipalities, and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 80 (Midland). Legion President Ron Adair surprised the team at McDonald’s with a gift of $5,000 for McHappy Day, sharing that their members were thrilled to support two very important charities.
“This year’s McHappy Day was such an incredible celebration of giving in our community,” says Nicole Kraftscik, CEO, GBGH Foundation. “Mark & Carol’s passion and generosity truly inspires others to join them, and we are so grateful to the Cruden’s and the Midland Legion for their investment in our hospital.”
Carol & Mark Cruden first partnered with the GBGH Foundation in 2018 for McHappy Day. With this year’s donation, they have raised $94,500 for GBGH, helping to build a children’s play area in the ED at GBGH, investing in the purchase of items for the hospital’s Birthing Unit, and helping to bring an MRI machine to GBGH.