Nov 10-19 McDonald's World Children's Day

[Pamela]

McDonald's Launches World Children's Day Campaign
November 10, 2006 6:36 p.m. EST
Matthew Borghese - All Headline News Staff Writer

Bangkok, Thailand (AHN) - McDonald's restaurants and the Ronald McDonald House Charities Foundation are kicking-off their annual campaign for World Children's Day.

This year, the theme will be "Give a Hand, Save a Heart," and donations will go to help pay for underprivileged children who are in desperate need of medial attention.

The Foundation will work with the Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Foundation, which helps children who need urgent heart surgery, but are unable to pay.

This year, McDonald's will work in Thailand, where thousands of babies are born each year with heart problems.

If you want to learn more about the project, or want to lend a hand yourself, visit: www.rmhc.com to find out more.

All Headline News

[Pamela]

THE DUCHESS OF YORK NAMED 2006 GLOBAL AMBASSADOR FOR WORLD CHILDREN'S DAY AT McDONALD'S®

Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, has been named global ambassador for World Children's Day at McDonald's for a second straight year today. The annual fundraising program, which raises money for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) and other vital children's causes, enters its fifth year in 2006.  
 

More than 100 countries participate in World Children's Day by selecting a day or days in November to host fundraising events with local dignitaries, celebrities and McDonald's executives. McDonald's customers from around the world have raised more than $75 million for children's causes since the program's inception in 2002. As global ambassador in 2006, The Duchess will go on an international tour to help China, Japan and five U.S. cities to celebrate World Children's Day and support local fundraising efforts. 
 
The Duchess' World Children's Day Global Tour Stops


Tokyo, Japan (Saturday, Nov. 5 & Sunday, Nov. 6) - The Duchess will take part in a press event and charity function. She will also visit Tokyo's first Ronald McDonald House and host an evening gala.
Seattle (Friday, Nov. 10) - The Duchess and children at the Ronald McDonald House will trace their hands and write what they are thankful for in their handprint. Local artists will then take the handprints and create a work of art to display at McDonald's locations throughout Western Washington to be later auctioned for the local RMHC Chapter.
Dallas (Monday, Nov. 13) - The Duchess and a local RMHC grant recipient will promote World Children's Day during a morning radio campaign, followed by a VIP lunch with RMHC grant executives and community leaders and, finally, The Duchess will take a Ronald McDonald Family Room visit with a special gift offering to the children.
Detroit (Tuesday, Nov. 14) - The Duchess will visit children and Ronald McDonald House families and host an English tea party. Next, The Duchess and the children will create plaster molds of their hands, which will be framed and displayed at the House.
Boston (Wednesday, Nov. 15) - The Duchess will visit patients and reads her book at Dana Farber Cancer Institute's Jimmy Fund Clinic, tour of the Boston Ronald McDonald House with lunch prepared by chef Todd English, go on the Boston Duck Tour with Ronald McDonald and host a Boston Tea Party at Boston's newly-opened InterContinental Hotel.
New York (Thursday, Nov. 16) - The Duchess will meet with children at the Ronald McDonald House who will become "Royalty for a Day" and build a World Children's Day "hand" castle together. The children will be knighted and then take a carriage ride through the city.
Beijing, China (Monday, Nov. 20) - The Duchess will join the people of China in their celebration of World Children's Day.
 
 
The Duchess' final stop in New York will feature international celebrities and a musical talent to perform the World Children's Day anthem, originally composed by 14-time Grammy Award winner David Foster.

In addition to the tour, The Duchess created a Public Service Announcement (PSA) promoting World Children's Day at McDonald's. The PSA, airing throughout November, will tell viewers how they can improve the lives of children around the world by visiting McDonald's on World Children's Day, November 20.

"Nothing is more important than helping the children of the world," The Duchess said. "Through my role as global ambassador for World Children's Day, I represent the voice of the children and families in need and I help bring greater attention to the critical issues they face today."

RMHC President and CEO Ken Barun added: "The funds raised during World Children's Day at McDonald's allow Ronald McDonald House Charities to have a direct and immediate impact on the lives of children and their families in all parts of the world. This partnership brings support and hope to those who need it most."

Throughout the month of November, McDonald's restaurants in more than 100 countries invite consumers to participate in World Children's Day's fundraising efforts. Programs vary by country, but most restaurants will contribute a portion of select product sales and offer a $1 "Give A Hand" for customers to sign and display in-store. In the U.S. from November 17-19, $0.15 from every Happy Meal, Mighty Kids Meal and Extra Value Meal will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Charities.

For more specifics on World Children's Day and how you can help, click here.

Ronald McDonald House Charities