Fire Chief Rob Girard poses with Const. Kate Montgomery, Marie Grey and Vanessa Ward of RBC and McDonalds managers Joan Muhi and Daniza de Ocampo, and Jimmy, a new police officer. They were among the many community members who put in a shift at McDonalds on McHappy Day to help raise money for the Vancouver Ronald McDonald House. Kevin Blakely photo
By David F. Rooney
Evey year McDonald’s Restaurant owners Kevin and Cathy Blakely bring in members of the community to help out during the annual McHappy Day fund raiser. They enlisted a whole raft of us to do just that on Wednesday, May 3.
It was our duty to meet and greet customers and offer them socks, buttons and ribbons they can buy in support of McHappy Day’s main goal — raising money to support the Vancouver Ronald McDonald House, which exists to provide a home for parents whose sick kids are being cared for at the Children’s Hospital.
“Our goal was $5,000 and thanks to the overwhelming support from the community, we managed to raise an amazing $6,034 for the Vancouver Ronald McDonald House,” said Cathy Blakely, co-owner, with her husband Kevin, of Revelstoke’s McDonalds restaurant.
“It really hit home throughout the day as people stopped to talk to us about their personal experiences using the House. It was a highly emotional conversation at times because not all the stories had a happy ending, but using the Ronald McDonald House helped keep the families together at a time when their support was need the most.”
Here are a few more photos from the day:
BC Ambulance paramedics Sami Lingren (left back) Kirk Pitaoulis and Caralea Taylor (right) pose with restaurant staff and owner Cathy Blakely during McHappy Day. Kevin Blakely photoMike Hooker, SD 19’s superintendent of schools, mans the drive-through window at McDonalds during McHappy Day. David F. Rooney photoEZ Rock radio host Shaun Aquiline interviews Bob Loeppky during McHappy Day. David F. Rooney photoOh-ho, Shaun Aquiline swings into action to interview the Man in Black — Peter Bernacki. David F. Rooney photoCole Blakely provided live music for restaurant patrons during McHappy Day. David F. Rooney photoCpl. Thomas Blakney learns the ins and outs of customer service at the front counter. David F. Rooney photoI don’t often have my picture taken but relented when Cathy Blakely and her daughter Kenra persuaded me to pose with them a couple of members of the staff. I was tasked with asking people if they’d like to make a bid on the silent auction, which boasted a diamond ring and some pretty neat prize packages from RMR, the Hillcrest, the Big Apple and other businesses. Kevin Blakely photo
