Wednesday was the 23rd McHappy Day at McDonald's restaurants across the country.

Volunteers could be spotted at McDonald's locations in Okotoks and High River helping to raise money.

Maja Nuyt, owner of the Okotoks and High River McDonalds, says the support from volunteers was amazing.

"Our volunteers tried really hard to request donations for the Ronald McDonald House, and our customers were very generous in donating."

Nuyt thanks the volunteers for coming out and donating their time and gives her staff a thumbs up for the work they did to make the day possible.

She says the biggest thank you of all goes out to customers that donated.

"The support of the community and the costumers saying 'We come here every year for McHappy Day and to support the Ronald McDonald House' was amazing."

The restaurants in the Foothills raised $8,000, which will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House in Calgary on Thursday.

Nuyt says the donations will make it so the families of sick children who don't live close to the care centres and hospitals won't have to commute every day or spend money on a hotel.

"It provides lodging for them for the necessary time, so it is a big help for the families and the sick children in the communities."

She adds the house helps take the emotional and physical burden off families and their sick children.

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