CBS McDonald’s helps local chain become top McHappy Day fundraiser

Freedom Foods owners Jill Morris, left, and Trevor Morris, right, along with Conception Bay South McDonald’s manager Abbi Morris celebrating on McHappy Day earlier this year. The CBS restaurant raised over $8,000 for Ronald McDonald House and other children’s charities. The Morris’ company raised over $85,000 in total at its 15 restaurants in eastern Newfoundland.

By Olivia Bradbury, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Diners in CBS can take a little satisfaction in knowing some of their proceeds this spring went to helping families who rely on Ronald McDonald House for accommodations when they have a child in hospital.

Proceeds from McHappy Day sales at the CBS and other locations owned by franchisee Trevor Morris helped make his operation the top fundraiser in Newfoundland, raising over $85,000 for  Ronald McDonald House and other children’s charities.

“We obviously love serving customers every single day, but this is our biggest day of the year that we love to do this because we have a founding and lifetime partnership with Ronald McDonald House around the world,” said Morris. “Obviously, we’re incredibly proud because we just love being involved with the House so much, and it’s such an incredible charity, and the team at the Ronald McDonald House here in Newfoundland and Labrador are the most amazing. They have so many incredible volunteers, so many amazing people that actually work there with the house. It’s a complete honour, and we’re so grateful.”

The various McDonald’s Restaurant franchisees compete every year on McHappy Day to see who can raise the most for the charity. Morris said he would not have minded losing if someone else had raised an even greater amount. “As long as the House wins, that’s what we’re most happy about,” he said.

Morris said McHappy Day seems to grow every year. This year, almost $8,000 of the total funds raised from his Freedom Foods 15 restaurants chain came from the CBS location in Manuels. “It’s one of our top performing fundraising restaurants,” said Morris. “This is the efforts of our entire team at Freedom Foods. The entire team is just amazing and they just love this day so much and they’re so passionate.”

Some staff members actually volunteer their time and help out with the event even if they are not working that day, Morris noted, something for which he is extremely grateful as it can get so busy on McHappy Day.

“It’s madness, but it’s fun madness because it’s such a great cause,” he said.

Some of the McHappy Day activities included fundraising games, raffle prizes and a photo booth. They also hosted a number of VIP guests, including local delegates and media personalities. But of course it would all be for nought without people lining up to buy food.

“Our customers are so amazing, so generous,” said Morris. “Every day we just grow more and more. They show up each and every time. It’s an honour to serve them every day, but especially on this day when we get to work in unison to do something for such an amazing cause.”

Morris said he would also to thank the volunteers and workers at Ronald McDonald House. “It’s across the board,” he said. “Thank you everywhere.”