MUMBAI: World Children's Day at McDonald's, which is the company's largest annual fundraiser for children, turned five years old. Entertainers, musicians, executives and children came together in New York City for a worldwide celebration to support fundraising efforts conducted in over 100 countries for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC(R)) and other children's causes.

Dancing With The Stars season finale, winner Emmitt Smith and dance partner Cheryl Burke, along with runner-up Mario Lopez and dance partner Karina Smirnoff, joined McDonald's CEO Jim Skinner, World Children's Day global ambassador Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, actress Sofia Vergara and other entertainers at the 42nd Street McDonald's. After meeting with children and families staying at the Ronald McDonald House of New York City, event participants stopped behind the counter to help raise funds for World Children's Day, informs an official release.

"McDonald's has a rich tradition of being a good community partner and neighbour," said Skinner. "As the needs of the world's children have increased over time, so has the need for companies and citizens to play a more active role in affecting positive change."

For the fifth consecutive year, World Children's Day at McDonald's will take place in almost 31,000 restaurants around the world. McDonald's customers, franchisees and suppliers have raised funds to help support more than 260 Ronald McDonald Houses, 105 Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, 31 Ronald McDonald Care Mobile programs and other children's causes around the world.

A new global World Children's Day TV campaign includes the voiceover of actor Paul Newman and features children and families staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The commercial aired in the US from 10 to 19 November and in select countries around the world throughout the month, adds the release.

Additionally, the Duchess of York taped a Public Service Announcement (PSA) about World Children's Day at McDonald's. The PSA, which will air throughout November, reminds viewers they can help improve the lives of children around the world by participating in World Children's Day and supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC), a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Its programs, the Ronald McDonald House(R), Ronald McDonald Family Room and Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, are grassroots-driven to enable the Charity to offer help where children in their own communities. RMHC and its global network of local Chapters have awarded more than $440 million in grants and program services to children's programs around the world.