McDonald’s to raise funds for L-Istrina with “Share a Smile” initiative

McDonald’s Malta celebrates its 11th McHappy Day by encouraging customers to share a smile on Facebook for charity throughout November.

McDonald’s will donate €1 for every picture taken with McHappy Day Smile that is shared on Facebook
McDonald’s will donate €1 for every picture taken with McHappy Day Smile that is shared on Facebook

McHappy Day, McDonald's Malta's annual fund-raiser, has collected over €200,000 for charity since 2002.

For a fifth year, McHappy Day proceeds will go to L-Istrina, the Boxing Day charity fund-raising marathon held under the patronage of the President of Malta.

"McDonald's has a long standing tradition of giving back to the community. It is one of our business principles and a core McDonald's value," McDonald's Malta General Manager Dorian Desira said. "We have found the perfect way to spread happiness with McHappy Day this year. A smile costs nothing. We invite all our customers, employees, all the people we partner to support our initiative by sharing a smile online."

From November 1, customers will be able to share a smile on Facebook by taking photos featuring custom-made cutout smiles available from Malta and Gozo's nine McDonald's restaurants. Photos are uploaded through the "Share a Smile" tab on the official McDonald's Malta Facebook page at www.facebook.com/McDonaldsMT.

McDonald's will donate €1 for every picture taken with McHappy Day Smile that is shared on Facebook.

Proceeds from the sale of Share a Smile key chains, which are available for sale for €1 at all McDonald's restaurants, will also go to L-Istrina.

On November 23, McDonald's Malta joins the McDonald's family around the world to celebrate McHappy Day and raise funds and global awareness for children's causes. Margaret Abela, Vice-Chairperson Community Chest Fund, will visit McDonald's Sliema on the day.

There is a programme of family events for each restaurant, featuring TV personalities, singers, actors, DJs and musicians, including Glen Vella, Christabelle Borg, Floren Sultana, Jean Pierre Cassar, Ronald Briffa, Amber Bondin, Laura Vella, Tezara Camilleri, Manuel Xuereb, Rita Pace, and Keith Demicoli. Throughout the day, they will be joining customers to Share a Smile and take photos to be posted on Facebook.

Activities on each restaurant's programme include entertainment for children like storytelling, face-painting, art and crafts and singing. There will be live performances in restaurants by Fakawi, Freddie Portelli, Chiara, and entertainment by Gianni and DJ Ruby.

Last year, McHappy Day events raised €22,000 for L-Istrina.