World Children’s Day is McDonald’s annual global fundraiser for children celebrated across 32,000 McDonald’s restaurants in more than 121 countries. Funds raised benefit local causes in communities around the world. The World Children’s Day is celebrated every year on November 20th, a date which was chosen to coincide with the inauguration of the first UNICEF ‘Convention on the Rights of the Child’ in 1989.

On November 9, 2004, the month-long program to build awareness for the fundraiser was kicked off at a McDonald’s restaurant in Los Angeles. To launch the activities, Clay Aiken joined Alejandro Fernandez, Hilary and Haylie Duff, Venus and Serena Williams, Carl Lewis and Randy Jackson as they created and donated autographed handprints.

There was no entertainment at the restaurant that day so Clay did not sing. In 2004, Clay was an ambassador for Ronald McDonald House Charities and so he was the featured speaker at the event.

All the cement handprints were auctioned on eBay. Clay’s cast sold for over $15,000. Another item donated by Clay, an autographed apron from the same event, went for $5,100 in the eBay auction.

This November, McDonald’s will be hosting McHappy Day – their signature global fundraising event for Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Since 2002, McDonald’s global fundraising efforts have raised more than $170 million for RMHC and other children’s causes around the world through support from McDonald’s customers, as well as McDonald’s employees, owner/operators, and suppliers. According to the Ronald McDonald House Charities website:

On November 10, McDonald’s celebrates McHappy Day in the U.S., an important day to call attention to the needs of children and the official kick-off of the 10^th annual “Give A Hand” fundraiser to benefit RMHC the company’s “Charity of Choice for 38 years.

The fundraiser will be in participating U.S.restaurants November 10-20, for customers to show their support for the Charity by purchasing a paper Hand for $1, $3, or $5.  All proceeds from the paper hand sales will be donated to RMHC.  And, with every purchase of a McDonald’s Happy Meal or Mighty Kids Meal throughout the year, a donation is made to RMHC.  These fundraisers are a few ways McDonald’s encourages customers to give back and help bring happiness to families in need.

It is always amazing to see how much money Clay Aiken is able to raise for so many good causes. He is a compassionate man who is articulate and handsome. Seems like this is the recipe for a great spokesperson representing any good cause.

A fan was able to video Clay’s moving speech at the event in Los Angeles. It is always interesting to hear Clay speak.