McDonald’s has announced that $7,925.60 has been raised as a result of its 2013 USVI McHappy Day Campaign, a company-wide initiative to raise funds to assist local charities.
The funds were donated to My Brother’s Workshop (MBW) on St. Thomas and Lutheran Social Services of the Virgin Islands (LSS) on St. Croix. MBW is a non-profit organization that provides services for at-risk young people by offering mentoring, counseling, paid job training, education and job placement. LSS provides a number of independent and assisted living programs for adults and children including the Queen Louise home for Children on St. Croix.
The McHappy Day campaign on St. Thomas raised $3,852.60 for MBW and $4,072 for LSS on St Croix. Funds were raised through the sale of paper hands to the community, corporate donations, and on McHappy Day, Nov.15, all proceeds from the sale of all Big Macs were donated.
“On behalf of Arcos Dorados, we thank our providers, customers, corporations and the community that showed their support to our 2013 McHappy Day Campaign,” said Gabriel Serber, regional operations director for Arcos Dorados Caribbean Region.
As in previous years, the commitment of McDonald’s employees was a big part of the success that contributed to the results from this year’s fundraiser. “Thanks to the dedication and commitment of our McDonald’s employees, who competed with each other to sell the most Big Macs and hands, this not only contributes to the quality of life of local children, but it reinforces our commitment to the communities where we operate,” said Serber.
Among the supporters on St. Croix were Gov. John P. deJongh and his wife First Lady Cecile deJongh. On St. Thomas, V.I. boxing champion Julius Jackson promoted the event. Both the governor and first lady participated in supporting McHappy Day by purchasing Big Macs, and serving customers on McHappy Day. Jackson supported the campaign by encouraging the community to come support the event from a live radio broadcast at the Lockhart McDonald’s.
McHappy Day is the largest and most comprehensive mobilization campaign in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is held every year between August and November in the countries where Arcos Dorados operates McDonald’s restaurants. McHappy Day was held simultaneously on November 15th in Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Panama, Puerto Rico, Aruba, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Croix, St. Thomas, and Trinidad and Tobago. All revenues will be used to benefit the local charities supported.