The Magic of McHappy Day Begins

The magic – or, I should say “McMagic” – has started in connection with the annual McHappy Day event at McDonald’s restaurants across Canada. Locally, the McDonald’s family restaurants at both Collingwood and Wasaga Beach get involved in the effort to support the operation of Ronald McDonald House Charities. They do so with the enthusiastic help of volunteers and customers which resulted in, last year, a total of $26,000.00 raised to help Ronald McDonald House in Toronto.

I consider it magic and a testament to our community’s generosity as people – the young and the not-so-young – from various walks of life turn out to help McHappy Day, which this year will be highlighted on Wednesday, May 10th.

The magic is in the beauty of everybody having the choice to do some good with a donation either small, or large. Remember, a little bit from a lot of people adds up to a lot and those who can donate more do so to swell the financial total in favour of Ronald McDonald House.

I won’t get into explaining the incredible and important work that is done by Ronald McDonald House staff members. You can click on-line for those details and read much more than I have space here. But I can attest to how important a role Ronald McDonald Houses play to help those in a time of a health emergency. I was fortunate enough, thanks to Vince Schneider of McDonald’s in Collingwood to get a tour of Ronald McDonald House in Toronto. So I know that every cent from every donation tied to McHappy Day plays a vital role in helping families who have a seriously-ill child in a nearby hospital.

My involvement with McHappy Day goes back decades and somewhere I have a McDonald’s certificate recognizing my volunteer assistance to McHappy Day in the time, years ago, when Jo-Ann and Barry Kelly were the owner-operators of the local franchise. In fact, I came to Collingwood to work at The EnterpriseBulletin newspaper in the same week that the Kellys opened their store on First Street in June, 1977.

Nowadays, Jo-Ann and Barry’s son Brent and his partner Rachel, well supported by their staff members, carry on running McDonald’s locally with the same attention to detail and hands-on approach as the senior Kellys. But the most important ingredient in the McHappy Day mix is the customer – you – tied to the McDonald’s slogan of “Give a Hand”. There are many fundraising parts of McHappy Day. In early April, baked goods were being offered at a table at McDonald’s in Collingwood. When I stopped by, the table was staffed by volunteers Lola Honsberger, Linda Danek and Mary Anne Parr. Once again, a little bit of help from a lot of people can add up to a lot!

Fundraising anywhere and by any organization involves change and at McDonald’s in Collingwood/Wasaga Beach a new approach to fundraising has been introduced. While it is a change, because it involves a partnership between the local McDonald’s and the Manito Shrine Club, it really is an expansion of the fundraising endeavor because the McHappy Day event, as we know it, will still be held on May 10th.

In the partnership between the local McDonald’s and Manito Shrine Club a McHappy Day Fundraising Dinner was held, recently, at the Manito Shrine Club on Fairgrounds Road in Clearview Township, opposite the Great Northern Exhibition fairgrounds. This dinner was a first of sorts because it allows those who can make a larger donation to do so and help not one, but two, worthwhile organizations.

The dinner raised funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities and for Shriner’s Hospital for Children. The latter specializes in helping the victims of burns. As far as I am concerned, the Shriners everywhere across Canada do not get enough applause, or publicity, for the excellent work they do in supporting Shriner’s Hospital for Children. But we should be reminded of that important work every time we see fez-wearing Shriners taking part in a parade, or the likes of Manito Shrine Club member Robert Van Slyke offering cakes for sale in a Shrine Club fundraiser. “Van”, as most people call him, is just one of the many Shriners whom we expect to turn out to help at McDonald’s in Collingwood on McHappy Day when it is held on May 10, 2023.

The recent fundraising dinner at the Manito Shrine Club brought attendees more magic, in terms of a meal, entertainment and service. Attendees were served and fussed over by staff members from local McDonald’s. The staff members are to be congratulated because they volunteered their time to help at the Manitou Shrine Club and they wore McHappy Day merchandise to draw attention to the May 10th event.

There were important messages brought to those who were at the fundraising dinner. Dianne and Chris Kennedy of Maxwell, Ont., the mother and father of son Brayden, brought their message of what it is like to be the parents of a child who has to go into hospital in Toronto. Their challenges were made easier thanks to the benefit and assistance of Ronald McDonald House, Toronto, where they stayed as Brayden was being treated at hospital.

Bryan W. Lawson of Lisle, Ont., spoke about the work of Shriners and their hospitals. Mr. Lawson is Recorder and COO of Rameses Shriners and a member of Manitou Shrine Club.

Consider the magic of award-winning author-playwright, Dan Needles, whom I consider the “King of Rural Funny”. Dan is a past-president of the Collingwood Agricultural Society which annually presents the Great Northern Exhibition, But Dan’s stock in trade is his ability to bring people to resounding happiness with his books and columns, his plays and his personal involvement in performances. Dan Needles entertained at the Manitou Shrine Club dinner, but he was not the only entertainment.

For the past decade, Sam Signer has been playing the keyboards at local McHappy Days. He too entertained at the fundraising dinner. He will entertain at McDonald’s on First Street on McHappy Day, May 10, 2023.

If a meal’s beauty is not only in the taste of it, but also in the appearance of it, Tony Sensenberger’s culinary talents flourished at the Manito Shrine Club event. Tony and his wife Doris operate The Iron Skillet in Collingwood which catered the fundraising dinner.

Tony is a classically-trained chef who has won awards. He has travelled extensively sampling foods from all over the world in order to fire up his expertise at The Iron Skillet on the Pretty River Parkway.

On May 10th, when McHappy Day is held, I’m pretty sure you can guess where I will be from time to time. Yes, at the McDonald’s in Collingwood thanking those that I can for their help to an important fund-raising endeavor.

Your support of the May 10th McHappy Day will help add to the magic! Editor’s note: George Czerny-Holownia is a retired newspaperman living in Collingwood.

A recent Regional Housing Taskforce study confirmed nine out of ten families today could not afford to buy their first home in South Georgian Bay. The price of a first home in our region is beyond the reach of most families. Siloed initiatives by businesses, localized government, and housing advocates struggle against a complex and growing demand for affordable housing.

The lower population density in rural areas reduces economic and physical resources to address the scope of affordable housing programs. Areas undergoing rapid housing growth face the added challenge of finding a financially viable and timely solution. This situation has detrimental consequences for the whole community, not just individual families. So, is there a viable path forward for all the advocates and parties involved to effectively address the affordable housing crisis?

A recent report by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation states, “We need to work together— and change current practices —to meet this challenge.” It is becoming a common realization amongst various housing advocates. The challenge is shifting from concept to action. The complexity and magnitude of the problem may require a catalytic shift in current practices.

“Instead of thinking outside the box, get rid of the box.”

― Deepak Chopra

Working together implies planning together. Planning includes identifying various courses of action to achieve a desired outcome. The plan must address the individual needs and challenges of all the parties involved. In this case, the stakeholders include developers, the municipality, community members, appropriate charities, and families. This suggests the potential for a core partnership approach to ensure affordable housing is feasible for everyone. A potential foundation or catalyst for getting rid of the box.

Leverage Stakeholder Understanding

Many are aware of Habitat for Humanity’s contribution to the community. An in-depth understanding reveals several unique assets. The South Georgian Bay affiliate builds affordable homes, provides workable mortgages, and delivers a low-cost build model. As a local organization, they work directly with families to achieve home ownership and security. The various resources and capabilities associated with these attributes enhance a partnership approach.

A similar shared understanding between key stakeholders would uncover individual needs along with available resources and capabilities. A jointly vetted mapping of unrealized and innovative options would serve as the initial working model for the partnership. This model could be the first step in a more integrated and effective approach to affordable housing initiatives. It may also reveal ways to increase and accelerate long-term building capacity.

Conclusion

Feasibility Planning

The first stage of any development is a feasibility assessment. Is it worthwhile to bring the appropriate stakeholders together to assess and plan a viable affordable housing component?

A joint revision of the partnership model to proactively reduce unique challenges, protect stakeholder interests, and ensure project sustainability. This also clarifies partner roles, responsibilities, and desired outcomes.

A Clearer Path Forward

Many are in a learning stage about affordable housing. Exploring strategic initiatives includes the value of taking the time to understand each stakeholder’s issues, explore all ideas, and follow a Plan-Do-Study-Act approach to solving a complex situation. It’s most successful when executed by a team committed to a clear plan of action. Leveraging a partner relationship as a working team supports shared learning, and continuous improvement while addressing the problem. What is missing is an affordable housing team.

Habitat for Humanity Southern Georgian Bay is committed to increasing the number of affordable homes built every year. One hundred percent of individual and corporate donations go to building homes. The profits from shopping at, donating items, and volunteering at our Restore also boost fund-building efforts. Community support plays a significant role in achieving our commitment.

Integrating Habitat’s unique assets into a broader partner approach reduces key barriers associated with affordable housing agreements. One of our primary objectives is to explore and advance partner ventures.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss being a catalyst toward innovation with other stakeholders and advocates. joy@habitatgeorgianbay.ca