Owner/Operator Rory MacKinnon has many RMHC Champions among his staff.

McDonald’s Canada – which includes our network of 50 McDonald’s Owner/Operators, spanning almost 300 restaurants from Kenora, Ont. to Gananoque, Ont. – plays an essential role in keeping our doors open. As our Founding and Forever Partner, they represent approximately 39 per cent of our overall fundraising revenue.

Much of that fundraising is done on the ground, by committed McDonald’s crew members who go the extra mile by talking about our mission to restaurant guests, organizing fundraising efforts for McHappy Day, and asking guests to “Round Up” their order to the next dollar, so Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Toronto can deliver on its mission.

We consider these special crew members, who do so much to help support RMHC Toronto families, our RMHC Champions. We’re pleased to recognize the special way they go above and beyond every day to help families with seriously ill children.

Owner/Operator Rory MacKinnon, who owns seven restaurants in Angus, Alliston, Caledon Village, Orangeville, and Schomberg, Ont., has a number of these Champions on his staff.

He let us know about a few who deserve “honourable mention.”

MEET CYNTHIA

Cynthia Vemb, who works at the Schomberg McDonald’s, is “a legend for her order-taking and social interactions,” says Rory.

Cynthia cares deeply for the RMHC Toronto mission and consistently leads Rory’s McHappy Day fundraiser, Coffee for a Cause.

For the past four consecutive McHappy Days, Cynthia has sold the most Coffee for a Cause coupons across Rory’s restaurants.

Cynthia Vemb in the drive-thru with friends
Rory and Lizzy Wright

MEET LIZZY

Assistant Manager Lizzy Wright has been organizing McHappy Day in Rory’s Angus restaurant for the past four years.

She’s spearheaded bake sales and bowling tournaments, and always ensures that every crew outing includes supporting and learning about RMHC Toronto.

“Lizzy inspires and leads,” says Rory.

MEET MARY

Mary Stewart is “a driving force behind the Round Up for RMHC® program,” explains Rory, who credits Mary as the “main reason” his Angus location generated an incredible $35,000 in Round Up donations last year – over half of what was raised in all seven of Rory’s locations!

Mary Stewart, receiving a recognition gift from Rory
Jessica Lewis, with a police volunteer on McHappy Day

MEET JESSICA

Rory feels that community activist Jessica Lewis “role-models community involvement for our crew members.” When she’s not working at his Alliston location, Jessica gives her time freely to the Alliston community via Out of the Cold functions, Relay for Life events, and by acting as a point of contact for new immigrants to the Alliston area. She helps with translation and with getting new community members acclimated to their new home.

Jessica will be organizing McHappy Day in Rory’s Alliston restaurant for the fourth time this year, and Rory says, “Her community contacts always come out in huge force to support her and our restaurant as we contribute to RMHC Toronto.”

Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to Rory MacKinnon and all his crew and staff—including Cynthia Vemb, Lizzy Wright, Mary Stewart, and Jessica Lewis—for their ongoing commitment to keeping families with seriously ill children together.

McHappy Day is our largest and most important fundraising day of the year. Come celebrate McHappy Day with us on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, when a portion of the proceeds from ALL menu items sold all day long at McDonald’s restaurants will help families at RMHC Toronto. To find out more about the incredible support of our Owner/Operator community, please visit Our McDonald’s Relationship.