McHappy Day Returns with a Mission to Make Bigger Impact for Families and Communities

Today is McHappy Day, and McDonald’s Canada - in partnership with creative agency Cossette — is rallying communities across the country to support families with sick or injured children. This year, McHappy Day returns to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) across Canada and local children’s charities nationwide.

Every purchase on May 8th - whether in-restaurant, at the drive-thru, via McDelivery (with $0 delivery fees), or the McDonald’s app - will help make a difference. A portion of all food and beverage sales will go directly to RMHC and other local children’s charities across Canada, making it easy (and delicious) to do some good.

Guests can show their support in several meaningful ways - by purchasing this year’s McHappy Day socks for $6 + tax (available in four fun designs featuring McDonaldland characters) or by donating $2, $5, or $10 through the purchase of a McHappy Day Heart. Both are available in-restaurant, at the Drive-Thru, through McDelivery, or via the McDonald’s app.

This support enables RMHC across Canada to continue expanding its support of families as they navigate their child’s medical journey. In 2025 alone, RMHC across Canada will add more than 100 bedrooms nationwide.

This growing impact is brought to life in a touching 30-second TV spot titled 'What a Difference a Day Makes.' The ad highlights real, relatable moments - families enjoying their meals, connecting with crew members, and choosing to donate - all inside McDonald’s restaurants across Canada. Together, these everyday gestures reflect the powerful role community support plays in making a difference for RMHC and local children’s charities.

“Getting involved in McHappy Day is as easy as it is delicious. Every bite of your favourite menu items helps to support and bring hope to families during some of the toughest times of their lives,” says Rebecca Smart, marketing director, brand strategy at McDonald’s Canada. “It’s a small action that makes a big impact.”

To deepen the emotional connection, this year’s campaign features a powerful evolution of McDonald’s iconic packaging - transformed to hold 3D renders of real rooms inside Ronald McDonald House programs. From a bedroom to a communal kitchen and a playroom, each visual represents the direct impact of donations in creating comforting, functional spaces for families while their sick or injured child is receiving care at a nearby hospital.

“What’s nice about this idea is the visuals are able to communicate our message in a way that feels simple and human: your McHappy Day meal directly contributes to the things that make it possible for families with sick children to stay together - and still feel like a family,” says Jason Hill, executive creative director at Cossette.

The McHappy Day campaign is live across a wide range of media touchpoints, including TV, online video (OLV), paid and organic social media, digital banners, out-of-home, radio, digital audio, Uber in-app assets, NHL integrations, Amazon placements, and added-value media partnerships. This multi-platform presence is designed to reach Canadians wherever they are - amplifying awareness and encouraging participation on McHappy Day across the country.