McDonald's Gears Up for Global Fundraiser

McDonald's hosts its third annual World Children's Day on Nov. 20 with promos and p.r. events designed to raise $20 million worldwide for children's charities, including Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Yao Ming serves up p.r. for World Children's Day

In the U.S., restaurants will donate a portion of sales from Happy Meals, Mighty Kid Meals and Extra Value Meals sold during Nov. 18-20. Throughout November, diners can buy a $1 Give-A-Hand paper hand that will be posted in the restaurant.

McDonald's will host a Nov. 10-20 eBay event auctioning off autographed, plaster handprints from a long list of celebrities, including actresses Hilary and Haylie Duff, tennis pros Venus and Serena Williams, singers Clay Aiken and Alejandro Fernandez and Olympian Carl Lewis. Proceeds benefit RMHC.

The Williams sisters will play tennis exhibitions in Atlanta, Chicago and Detroit to raise funds; NBA star Vince Carter of the Toronto Raptors will appear in Toronto restaurants. Golin-Harris, Chicago, handles p.r.

Elsewhere, U.K. restaurants will host a Give A Hand holiday cards promo; Hong Kong restaurants will collaborate on an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the most people jumping rope simultaneously, a tie-in to McD's "Go Active!" marketing campaign.

Oak Brook, IL-based McDonald's raised $12 million when it launched World Children's Day in 2002, and $15 million in 2003.

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