McDonald's UAE Raises Dh320,000 for Emirates Red Crescent

Press release

Published August 28th, 2018 - 07:53 GMT

During the event

McDonald’s UAE has announced that it has raised AED320,000 from its Ramadan children’s books campaign in association with the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC). The sum includes the proceeds from the sales of children's social awareness and entertainment books, as well as Emirates Red Crescent donation boxes, which were placed at McDonald’s restaurants across the country as part of the campaign.

Hassan Abu Ezzeddin, Marketing Manager of McDonald’s UAE, delivered the check on behalf of Rafic Fakih, Managing Director and Partner of McDonald's UAE, to Mohammed Yousuf Al Fahim, Deputy Secretary-General for Support Services in Emirates Red Crescent at the headquarters of the organization in Abu Dhabi.

Al-Fahim stressed that the Emirates Red Crescent's senior leadership reiterates the importance of cooperation between the authorities and all public and private institutions in the country. He added that the partnership between Emirates Red Crescent and McDonald’s UAE is proof that working together strengthens the efforts of both parties in implementing charitable projects and humanitarian programs. This enhances the process of community work in the country, and has presented a robust model of cooperation through joint projects and integrated humanitarian programs.

During the meeting Al-Fahim and Abu Ezzedeen discussed ways of further strengthening the social partnership between Emirates Red Crescent and McDonald’s UAE, and developing areas of joint humanitarian cooperation in the future through community initiatives aimed at protecting vulnerable local groups.

Rafic Fakih, Managing Director and Partner of McDonald's UAE said: “We are committed to enriching and improving the communities we operate in, and as part of these continuing efforts we are proud to have partnered with Emirates Red Crescent. This investment will have a positive impact on our communities and I am confident these initiatives will bring about a progressive change to the lives of those less fortunate.”

The Emirates Red Crescent and Emirates Fast Food Company signed a cooperation agreement last March aimed at achieving the common humanitarian principles of both parties. As part of their goal to consolidate community and humanitarian values and objectives at the local level, Emirates Red Crescent and McDonald’s UAE launched Ramadan children's books, which were sold through McDonald's restaurants in the country. Exclusive Emirates Red Crescent donation boxes were also installed at McDonald’s restaurants across the UAE as part of the campaign.

Background Information

McDonald’s

In 1917, 15-year-old Ray Kroc lied about his age to join the Red Cross as an ambulance driver, but the war ended before he completed his training. He then worked as a piano player, a paper cup salesman and a Multimixer salesman.

In 1954, he visited a restaurant in San Bernardino, California that had purchased several Multimixers. There he found a small but successful restaurant run by brothers Dick and Mac McDonald, and was stunned by the effectiveness of their operation. They produced a limited menu, concentrating on just a few items – burgers, fries and beverages – which allowed them to focus on quality and quick service.

They were looking for a new franchising agent and Kroc saw an opportunity. In 1955, he founded McDonald’s System, Inc., a predecessor of the McDonald’s Corporation, and six years later bought the exclusive rights to the McDonald’s name and operating system. By 1958, McDonald’s had sold its 100 millionth hamburger