McCarnival helps local charity
Shannon LeClair – Times Reporter
Walmart McDonalds hosted their first McCarnival Sunday May 2.
All proceeds being raised are to go to the Community Crisis Society.
It was up to the management teams in Airdrie, Cochrane and Strathmore to come up with an idea to raise funds for a charity in their community.
Each team came up with a different idea and each event was to take place at some point prior to McHappy Day, which will raise money for the Ronald McDonald House and Community Crisis Society.
Gail Barnsley and her husband own the McDonalds chains that were involved in the competition.
Gail attended each of the events hosted and at the end of the week will decide which team raised the most, in a mini apprentice competition, similar to the show Celebrity Apprentice.
“It was up to management to come up with the idea, and I just came out to see what the idea was,” said Gail.
The McCarnival featured face painting, balloon animals, a bake sale, a mini flea market and a pie-eating contest.
“Face-painting and the balloon animals are really popular,” said Wanda Harnett, one of the managers and organizers from McDonalds.
Staff volunteered their time to help with the event and members of the community donated items.
T.J Horne has worked for McDonalds for two years. He didn’t participate in last years event due to school, but said, “we didn’t do anything special like this last year.”
Rampert Redcrow took part in the pie-eating contest, tying for first place.
“I think they should do this more often. Get people out so they can meet each other and be a better community,” said Redcrow.
Prizes were given away for the contest and a raffle was held. Casey Tucker, also a McDonalds employee won a gift card to Queen’s Nails and Spa.
“I bought 15 tickets, that’s probably why I won,” said Tucker.