Coaldale McDonald’s raises over $18,000 on McHappy Day May 8

Posted on May 22, 2025 by Sunny South News

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

There was plenty to be happy about in Coaldale after McHappy Day raised thousands of dollars for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lethbridge and District (BBBS). 

The one-day event held across Canada on May 8, including the Coaldale McDonald’s, saw the community come out and show support for the annual fundraiser.   

“In total, we ended up raising $18,912 for Coaldale,” said Sam Machan, caseworker for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lethbridge and District. “Our portion will go directly to our mentorship programs in Coaldale so we’ll be able to do more in that area,” she added, noting that 75 per cent of proceeds raised goes to Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Lethbridge and District while 25 per cent goes to Ronald McDonald House Canada (RMHC) Alberta. “Our (amount) is around $14,000 that we’ll be able to put into our programs.” 

This year marked the 31st McHappy Day for McDonald’s Canada. It’s the company’s longest running and largest charitable initiative with more than 1,400 McDonald’s restaurants celebrating McHappy Day this year, in support of Ronald McDonald House Charities across Canada and other children’s charities.  

“Recently we have had more capacity with grants and McHappy Day to allow us to branch off more in Coaldale and provide our community based programming, as well as site based programming in the Coaldale community,” said Machan.   

Local McDonald’s franchisee owner for Brooks, Taber and Coaldale locations, Jordan Brown, welcomed local civic and community leaders, including Town of Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rijn. 

“McHappy Day is more than just a day at the drive-through, it’s a chance for our community to come together in support of children and families who need it most,” said Van Rijn. “Here in Coaldale, proceeds are helping Big Brothers Big Sisters continue their vital mentoring programs for local youth and supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities, which provides a home away from home for families with seriously ill children receiving care. As mayor, I’m proud to roll up my sleeves alongside our volunteers and show what community spirit truly looks like.”  

This year, McHappy Day also featured activities and special guests, including lawn games, a DJ, the FCSS Youth DO Crew, who did face painting and temporary tattoos and the Coaldale Fire Department came out with a fire truck for kids to see. In addition, members of the Coaldale Thunder soccer team as well as several players from the Coaldale Copperheads junior hockey team came out to help with activities, including their Mascot Copper.  

“It’s really exciting, we love seeing how the community connects and comes together over things like this,” said Machan. “McHappy Day has such a big positive cause behind it and everybody wants to support it in some way.”