Last weekend, about 150 volunteers successfully broke a Singapore record at Tampines Mall – for the Largest Gathering of People Wearing Socks in a Similar Pattern.

Largest gathering in Singapore of people wearing socks in a similar pattern!

Raise awareness and funds for the RMHC

The “guest of honour” smiles for the camera!

These volunteers, comprising mainly of McDonalds staff and crew members, wore red & white socks to raise awareness and funds for the Ronald McDonald’s House Charities (RMHC) – at the annual McHappy Day celebrations.

The RMHC charity had been established in 1989, to improve the health and well being of children in Singapore. Since then, it has helped over 900 needy and sick children with their medical, surgical and rehabilitation treatment costs.

The charity also provides a ‘home away from home’ at no cost, for families to be able to stay close to their hospitalised child at the National University Hospital (NUH).

Jean Molina, 15, a regular volunteer at RMHC for the past year, had been one of those who was proudly donning the red & white socks at the McDonald’s event last Sunday.

Said Jean, a Grade 10 student at the Singapore American School, “The RMHC event today should help create more awareness of RMHC because it is a pretty vibrant event and Tampines Mall is a popular place. Shoppers will be curious and want to check this out – and get to know more about RMHC.”

Volunteers also took to the Singapore streets to sell socks

Besides breaking the Singapore Record, 600 volunteers also took to the streets to sell red & white socks to the public. Others sold the socks at McDonald’s outlets and some were stationed at Tampines Mall itself.

RMHC volunteers from the Singapore American School.

One of those selling the socks was 59-year-old Norma Selamat, who works at McDonald’s corporate office. She had been stationed at Tampines Mall to sell the socks last Sunday afternoon.

“From my experience, about eight in 10 people will buy the socks. But the rest will buy the idea of RMHC, so I feel happy today that we have educated them about this good cause,” Norma said.

A carnival was also held at Tampines Mall

Meanwhile, a carnival, comprising of fun activities such as photo booths, balloon sculptures and face painting, was also held at Tampines Mall, at the same time that the red & white sock sales were taking place.

Said Anand Gopal, 57, who works in sales, “The event today was very fun and my kids definitely enjoyed themselves. It is a great concept – and I learnt a lot about the RMHC charity here, too. I had no idea about the RMHC beforehand.” Anand had checked out the carnival event together with his two young children.

But now that he is more aware about it, Anand adds that he will definitely educate his family and friends about the RMHC charity.

Red & white socks for sale.

RMHC has helped more than 180 families

To date, the RMHC has served over 180 families whose children were hospitalised in intensive care receiving treatment for cancer, trauma or going through organ transplants.

One such parent is Joyce Leong, 36, whose young daughter, Miracle Tan, now aged six, had been hospitalised last year after a throat operation. Joyce admitted that she didn’t know about the RMHC until her daughter’s doctor had told her about it.

So Joyce spent some time staying at the RMHC house, which she describes as resembling a chalet holiday home, complete with cooking and washing facilities,. There was also hospital staff to lend her and her family a helping hand, if necessary.

No party is complete without music.

Said Joyce, “Without the RMHC, I would have had difficulty seeing Miracle, and being by her side.” So Joyce is extremely grateful to the RMHC and all of the help that they have given to her.

McDonald’s is pleased with their efforts of giving back to the community

And it is indeed families like Joyce’s, that makes McDonald’s pleased with their efforts of giving back to the community.

Said Robert Hunghanfoo, Managing Director of McDonald’s Restaurants (Singapore), “Giving back to the community that we serve has always been part of McDonald’s culture. Every year, our restaurants around the world celebrate McHappy Day to help sick children from needy families.

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