Five Counties Again Chosen as Local Kids’ Charity to Benefit from McHappy Day in Port Hope and Cobourg

COBOURG (April 9, 2025) – Whether dining in or taking out, your support on May 8 at local McDonald’s® restaurants in Cobourg and Port Hope will make many local children and youth ‘McHappy’.

For the second straight year, Five Counties Children’s Centre is honoured to be selected as the local children’s charity that benefits from the annual McHappy Day® set for Thursday, May 8, at the McDonald’s locations in Cobourg and Port Hope.

In 2024, the local McHappy Day in Cobourg and Port Hope raised a best-ever total of $30,000 to support kids’ charities. Approximately three-quarters of this total — $22,500 – went to support Five Counties in providing treatment services for children and youth with physical, developmental and communication needs in Northumberland. The balance – approximately $7,500 – went to Ronald McDonald House Charities®, which provides out-of-town families with a place to stay while their child is being treated in hospital.

Every year, McDonald’s® restaurants across Canada support local kids’ charities and Ronald McDonald House Charities®by collecting donations and dedicating a portion of sales on McHappy Day. Last year, a record-breaking $8.9 million was raised from McHappy Day across Canada.

“We are thrilled to again have Five Counties Children’s Centre as our designated charity for 2025!” says Lisa Wilson, owner and operator of McDonald’s restaurants in Cobourg and Port Hope. “Our amazing teams in Port Hope and Cobourg look forward to serving our guests and supporting Five Counties Children’s Centre and Ronald McDonald House Charities as they make a difference for the children and families in our communities.”

Counting last year’s McHappy Day total, Ms. Wilson’s Port Hope and Cobourg restaurants have raised more than $175,000 since 2014 for local children’s charities and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Five Counties CEO Scott Pepin is extremely grateful that the local children’s treatment centre will again benefit from McHappy Day in Cobourg and Port Hope in 2025. “Lisa and her entire team at McDonald’s were gracious and enthusiastic hosts for McHappy Day in 2024, and Five Counties feels very privileged to again partner on the event in 2025,” Pepin says. “We hope to repeat the success of 2024 and encourage everyone to come out to McHappy Day on May 8 to enjoy a McDonald’s meal or treat, knowing that your purchase will support Five Counties in its work treating children and youth in Northumberland County.”

Five Counties Children’s Centre is marking its 50th anniversary in 2025. Last year, nearly 1,600 children and youth in Northumberland benefitted from its programs, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and other treatment services.

There are 16 Ronald McDonald Houses across Canada, as well as 17 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms located within hospitals. In an average year, the RMHC network of programs in Canada helps to keep more than 26,000 families close to their sick child and the care they need.

Category: General News