McDonald's(R) Kicks-Off Season of Giving With Successful Fundraiser

McDonald's(R) Kicks-Off Season of Giving With Successful Fundraiser Ronald McDonald House Charities(R) Newest Ambassador, Multi-Platinum Superstar Clay Aiken, Thanks McDonald's Customers for Giving a Hand to Help Children OAK BROOK, Ill., Nov. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- This month, hands joined together across the globe, including those of Clay Aiken, in support of World Children's Day(TM) at McDonald's, the company's annual worldwide fundraiser targeted to raise $20 million for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC(R)) and other children's causes. Megastar and RMHC's newest Ambassador, Clay Aiken, was on hand to personally thank McDonald's and RMHC supporters. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041122/CGM059 ) "I cannot thank the customers, owner-operators and friends of McDonald's enough for their support of World Children's Day this year by raising funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities and children worldwide," said Clay Aiken. "Only McDonald's could and would undertake such an unprecedented fundraiser to help children lead better lives. I am so proud to be an Ambassador for RMHC." Though numbers are not final, McDonald's anticipates reaching its goal of $20 million. The grand total will be released after all funds are tallied and verified. Last year, World Children's Day at McDonald's efforts raised $15 million for RMHC and other vital children's causes worldwide, and in 2002, $12 million was raised. "Aiken" for Clay's Hands As the newest Ambassador for Ronald McDonald House Charities, Aiken literally lent his hands to help the World Children's Day fundraiser. The popular singer created cement handprints at the World Children's Day kick-off event on November 9 that were auctioned on eBay ( http://www.ebay.com/worldchildrensday ) from Nov. 10-20 with a winning bid of $15,099.99. McDonald's announced that the lucky winning bidder of Aiken's handprints will be flown to one of his holiday concerts to receive the cement handprints from Aiken personally. McDonald's is the sponsor of Clay Aiken's "Joyful Noise Tour," which kicks off this week. Other celebrities who donated their handprints to the eBay fundraising auction included music artists and actress sisters Hilary Duff and Haylie Duff, tennis champions Venus Williams and Serena Williams, Latin superstar Alejandro Fernandez, Olympic track and field legend Carl Lewis, famed American Idol judge Randy Jackson and McDonald's own Chief Happiness Officer Ronald McDonald, among others. The eBay fundraising auction raised more than $25,000 for RMHC. Customer and Restaurant Support In addition to the eBay auction, participating McDonald's restaurants from November 9-20 also offered a "Give A Hand," fundraising opportunity, which allowed customers to show their support for World Children's Day by purchasing and personalizing paper cut-out hands for $1, then posting the hands in the restaurant. Participating restaurants also contributed donations from select menu items to help children. In the U.S., from November 18-20, a portion of sales from Happy Meals(R), Mighty Kids Meals(R) and Extra Value Meals(R) were donated to RMHC. "Given the ever-increasing needs of children around the globe, McDonald's has made a tremendous effort to increase awareness for their annual global fundraiser, World Children's Day, which is truly improving the lives of children with the funds raised," said Ken Barun, President and CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities. "We hope to reach our $20 million goal this year with the support from McDonald's customers and owner-operators around the world so we can help even more children." McDonald's is the leading global foodservice retailer with more than 30,000 restaurants serving nearly 47 million people in more than 120 countries each day. Approximately 80 percent of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent, local businessmen and women. For nutritional information, please visit http://www.mcdonalds.com/ . Ronald McDonald House Charities, a nonprofit, 501(c)3, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Its programs are grassroots-driven to enable the Charity to offer help where children need it most; right in their own communities. RMHC fulfills its mission by creating programs that address targeted needs, and by supporting these programs through its global network of more than 180 local Chapters in nearly 50 countries. RMHC and its local Chapters have awarded more than $400 million in grants and program services to children's programs around the world. For more information about Ronald McDonald House Charities its programs, visit http://www.rmhc.org/ . FOR MORE INFORMATION: Michon Ellis, McDonald's 630-623-4061 Alison Baseley, GolinHarris 312-729-4194 Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041122/CGM059 http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990916/MCDLOGO AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN10 PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Source: McDonald's Corporation CONTACT: Michon Ellis of McDonald's, +1-630-623-4061, or Alison Baseley of GolinHarris, +1-312-729-4194 Web site: http://www.mcdonalds.com/ http://www.rmhc.org/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment