MAKE sure to get your happy face on this weekend for McDonald's restaurants McHappy day which kicks off on Saturday.

The day is one of Australia's longest running and high profile charity events and stores across the nation are jumping on board to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).

Earlier this year, RMHC launched EDMed nationally, a free program that provides support and assistance to teachers working with children who have faced serious illness. Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School Primary Teacher, Duncan FitzGerald, organised EDMed training at his Gold Coast school recently to help teachers understand the impact of serious illness on children in the classroom.

"We found the session with EDMed very rewarding and our staff members feel better equipped to assist our students who live with a chronic illness," Duncan said.

"Through EDMed we learnt how children who have been absent from school while receiving medical treatment can face anxiety returning to the classroom.

"The training gave us a better understanding of how to accommodate these children and support them in their studies.

"Professional development for teachers can be an expensive exercise so it was wonderful to access the EDMed training at no cost to the school's budget," he said.

The Tweed Heads South store will have a special radio event with give always from 1.50pm.

Elanora McDonald's Licensee, Tony Ward, said McHappy Day is aiming to raise $3.66 million for the charity in 2012 to continue to provide support and services to the families of seriously ill children.

"McDonald's restaurants across the Tweed region are gearing up for a fantastic McHappy Day on Saturday 10 November, with a car wash, face painting, raffles, visits from local police and fire brigade, and an Elvis impersonator planned across restaurants throughout the region," Tony said.

"McDonald's crew on the coast are throwing their full support behind RMHC so the charity can continue to make a difference through support services such as Ronald McDonald Houses, Ronald McDonald Family Rooms and the Ronald McDonald Learning Program."

On Saturday 10 November, American Express will donate $1 for every person who posts a virtual Helping Hand on their Facebook wall via the app when they visit www.facebook.com/americanexpressaustralia, www.facebook.com/RMHCAustralia or www.facebook.com/RMHCAustralia#!/McDonaldsAU.

Volunteers will collect donations with bucket brigades at more than 870 McDonald's restaurants across the country, but for those who do not make it to their local restaurant donations can be made via the website www.mchappyday.com.au.