Big Mac sales raise $34,000 for youth

Great Day, the flagship fundraiser of Arcos Dorados, has raised a record $34,343 for its charity, The Heroes Foundation. The money was raised from the sales of 1,290 of McDonald’s iconic Big Mac burgers. It's the most money raised since the campaign began in 2017.

The funds will be handed over to The Heroes Foundation. The foundation will use it to benefit over 500 local and migrant youth in the Heroes Development Programme, Migrant Heroes Development Programme, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Trinidad and Tobago, said a media release from Lonsdale Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising Ltd.

Great Day took place on November 28, 2020 at all McDonald’s restaurants across Trinidad. Themed I Love To Help, the annual fundraiser benefits charitable causes in TT, with a focus on providing opportunities for young people. The Heroes Foundation has been the beneficiary for the past five years.

Arcos Dorados´ Great Day donated more than US $5 million in 2020 to support several social organisations in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In Trinidad and Tobago, Arcos Dorados has been supporting charities which benefit children since 2012 with McHappy Day, which transitioned to Great Day in 2017, the release said.

Arcos Dorados is the world’s largest independent McDonald’s franchisee, operating the largest quick service restaurant chain in Latin America and the Caribbean.

In the release, Arcos Dorados’ market manager for Trinidad and Tobago, Kalifa Duncan, expressed pride in the growth of the Great Day campaign and the robust support of the public.

“We are most grateful to the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago for supporting youth development through Great Day,” Duncan said. “Creating a more sustainable future is imperative to McDonald’s and we are very proud to support the essential youth development programmes and initiatives of The Heroes Foundation.”

CEO of The Heroes Foundation Lawrence Arjoon said, “Support for youth development work from companies and the public is even more critical now with the challenges brought on by covid19. Great Day proceeds will help us continue and enhance our digital programme delivery in the interest of young people across our country. We are grateful for the continued support for McDonald's and everyone who supported the initiative. Together, we are inspiring the next generation of heroes in Trinidad and Tobago.”

McDonald’s thanked the public for its continued support of Great Day and the company affirmed its enduring commitment to uplifting the people and communities it serves.