Nic Fransoo of Q98 smiles with McDonald's employees as he helps hand out Happy Meals during McHappy Day. (submitted photo/Samara Emsley)

By battlefordsNOW Staff

FOR THE LOVE OF FAMILIES

Being McHappy in North Battleford

May 8, 2019 | 7:15 PM

Through a hot beverage or a juicy burger, most hungry patrons turning to McDonald for a meal Wednesday were helping support families of sick children in Saskatchewan.

McHappy Day sees $1 from every Big Mac, Happy Meal or hot McCafé beverage bought at locations in the province will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House (RMHC) in Saskatoon. The location, which opened in 1985, has become a home away from home for thousands of families each year, allowing parents to stay close to their children while they receive treatment in hospital.

An array of local volunteers assisted by trying their hand at the drive-thru window, ringing in orders on the register or canvassing patrons to purchase socks.

93.3 The Rock’s Bryan Flannery asks a driver for a $5 donation to purchase a pair of socks during McHappy Day. (Tyler Marr/battlefordsNOW Staff)

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The location housed over 1,200 families in 2018, including 21 from Meadow Lake, three from Waterhen Lake, one family from Rapid View and dozens of others from around the province.

CEO Tammy Forrester said the home offers a wide range of support for families, be it meals through a breakfast program or simply a comfortable place to relax during treatment.

An RCMP officer arrests himself a pair of socks while helping support the Ronald McDonald House in Saskatoon during McHappy Day. (submitted photo/Samara Emsley)

For families who find themeless in an unexpected situation where their child has fallen ill, the Ronald McDonald House can be a vital resource, with Forrester saying some stay for week and months, noting one family just checked out who was there for over 200 days.

Not only does the home provide financial stability, but the emotional support and connection with the other families in the home can also help bring peace of mind. Thirty-four families are able to stay at the house.

“They see each other at the hospital and around the dining room table. The connections to those families are really important for each other,” Forrester added. “I think there is an emotional connection and relief that happens here at the house to provide some hope and healing to the families.”

North Battleford and Meadow Lake raised around $10,000 last year. Across the country, more than $6.1 million was brought in.

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cjnbnews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow