For more than 100 local children, this year’s McHappy Day means more than a meal sold at the drive-thru. It means cleats tied, jerseys pulled on and a chance to step onto the field, the ice or the court alongside their peers.
A portion of sales from McHappy Day 2026 at Brantford and Paris McDonald’s restaurants is going to the Arnold Anderson Sport Fund, a local organization that helps children from low-income families in Brantford, Brant County and Six Nations of the Grand River take part in organized sports.
For many families, registration fees can put sports just out of reach. Through its Sponsor A Child program, the fund allows eligible families to apply for support, with children able to receive up to $400 each year to help cover the cost of playing. Organizers say that assistance can do far more than get a child into a program; it can build confidence, improve health and create lasting life lessons.
“We are continually inspired by our community’s generosity. No child should miss out on the joy of sports because of cost. With partners like McDonald’s and the strong support of Brantford residents, ‘Sports for ALL Kids’ is becoming a reality while carrying forward Arnold Anderson’s legacy,” said Brent Gordon, Director of the Arnold Anderson Sport Fund.
Behind the donation is a wide circle of local support. Fund representatives credited McDonald’s owners Bruce Graham, Krista Hearn and Karl Hearn, along with restaurant staff, volunteers and community supporters, for helping turn a one-day fundraiser into opportunities that will last all season long.
As another season of practices, games and early morning starts approaches, the Arnold Anderson Sport Fund says community support like this continues to make a difference; helping ensure more local children get the chance not just to watch from the sidelines, but to join in.
