As schools across the country gear up for a new academic year, volunteers cleaned, painted, and decorated classrooms and turned over furniture and supplies in preparation for the school opening. The initiative also brought in donations amounting to P3 million.
The initiative reaffirms McDonald’s commitment to education and community development, creating safer, more welcoming learning spaces and highlighting the power of public-private collaboration through sustained volunteerism and local school support.
The McDonald’s Philippines Leadership Team and office volunteers joined a cleanup and furniture turnover at Catmon Elementary School in Rizal, donating reclassified chairs and tables made from repurposed store furniture. This sustainable initiative has helped over 2,000 students in 12 schools. This year, 250 more units will go to six Rizal schools in partnership with the GMA Kapuso Foundation.
Catmon Elementary School Principal Madonna Evangelio praised the initiative: “Malaking tulong po ang ginawa ng McDonald’s… lalo na po grade 1 and grade 2 learners.” (What McDonald’s did was a big help… especially for the Grade 1 and Grade 2 learners.)
In addition to manpower and furniture, McDonald’s enlisted corporate partners Ecolab and Diversey to help promote cleanliness in schools by donating cleaning supplies through Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Philippines. The company also distributed school signage to nearly 1,000 schools.
Meanwhile, in Bacacay, Albay, the company’s Kindness Kitchen served 1,000 hot meals to Brigada Eskwela volunteers, educators, and community members during the program's kickoff, underscoring McDonald’s commitment to nurturing not just minds, but also hearts.
Also, McDonald’s, through RMHC, the company actively promotes Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) by building Ronald McDonald Bahay Bulilit Learning Centers. It also collaborates with DepEd on the Read to Learn program, which helps Grade 1 and 2 students improve their literacy skills.
Looking beyond grade school, McDonald’s partners with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to provide employment opportunities for out-of-school youth. It also hires working students as crew members, enabling them to earn income while pursuing their education.
“McDonald’s has always been a strong believer in providing opportunities,” said Adi Hernandez, assistant vice president for corporate relations and impact. “Our volunteerism, education, and employment programs open up a world of learning and growth—from preschool to career readiness.” —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
