MCDONALD'S HELPS RAISE NEARLY $100,000 FOR THUNDER FUNDER

2006-05-16T15:25:24

Kentucky Derby Festival fans helped keep the sky brightly lit and decorated on Saturday, April 22nd during the Thunder Over Louisville air and fireworks show through their generous contribution of $92,520 through the McDonald’s Thunder Funder Program.

This year marked the first year McDonald’s Restaurants of Kentuckiana sponsored the Derby Festival’s Thunder Funder program, which helps raise funds for the Festival’s Opening Ceremonies: Thunder Over Louisville. 91 McDonald’s Restaurants throughout Kentuckiana participated in Thunder Funder by donating $.10 for every 32oz Collectable Thunder Over Louisville Cup. The cup sales started in late February and ran up until Thunder eve.

“Thunder Over Louisville is a long standing tradition for not only the community but also Kentucky Derby fans globally,” Martha English, local Owner/Operator said. “We really enjoyed being a part of Thunder this year and hope all Thunder go-ers were ‘lovin’ it’ as much.”

In addition to the contribution provided by McDonald’s Restaurants of Kentuckiana, the McDonald’s Thunder Funder program was also able to generate $58,000 through small business contributions and individual incentive packages purchased during the televised campaign on March 21st and online at www.mcdonaldsthunderfunder.com.

“We are very grateful to everyone who helped support this year’s Thunder Over Louisville through the McDonald’s Thunder Funder program,” said Mike Berry, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO.  “The program offers a great opportunity for the public to take ownership of this great event and ensure that the show will remain free for everyone.”