News Summary
McDonald’s franchises in Grand Rapids are hosting the ‘High School Digital Fundraiser Day’ to support local high school football teams. Customers can contribute to their nearest participating school by ordering through the McDonald’s app on October 21. The initiative, organized by franchisee Ken Berg, aims to boost participation after last year’s successful turnout, linking purchases to donations for high school athletic programs. The event highlights the importance of community support in enriching the student-athlete experience and maximizes engagement through social media outreach.
Grand Rapids, MI – Local McDonald’s franchises are gearing up to support high school football teams in West Michigan by hosting a special fundraising event titled ‘High School Digital Fundraiser Day’ on October 21st. The initiative allows customers to contribute to their nearest participating high school when they use the McDonald’s app for their orders.
The event is organized by franchisee Ken Berg, who operates six McDonald’s locations in the Grand Rapids area. Last year’s fundraiser was met with a successful turnout, resulting in substantial donations that benefited local schools. Berg anticipates a similar degree of enthusiasm this year, as he expects many students to actively participate and make orders through the app to support their teams.
Mobile ordering and payments have gained popularity, with current statistics revealing that 12 to 20% of customers are utilizing these features. This trend is expected to boost participation rates in the fundraiser, directly linking each purchase to financial contributions for local high schools. The funds raised on this day will support the nearest high school affiliated with each McDonald’s location involved in the fundraiser.
The Grand Rapids area is rich in high school football activity, with approximately 71 games scheduled throughout the ongoing season. As teams enter the eighth week of the season, fans can look forward to exciting matchups, including one featuring the undefeated No. 3 ranked Hudsonville Eagles against Grand Haven and another pitting No. 8 Rockford against Caledonia. These games not only showcase the athletes’ talents but also foster community spirit and pride.
Football Highlights and Community Impact
In addition to the fundraiser, local sports coverage has highlighted three unbeaten teams in the Grand Rapids area during the Football Frenzy segment, emphasizing the competitive nature of the current season. The Grand Rapids Metro High School Football Scoreboard allows fans to follow live results and stays updated on games across various schools with differing ranks and records.
Significance of the Fundraiser
Community initiatives such as the High School Digital Fundraiser Day serve as a vital source of financial support for local schools and their athletic programs. The funds raised can be allocated toward essential resources, equipment, and other needs that help enhance the quality of the sports experience for student-athletes. Such fundraising activities nurture a sense of unity among students, families, and local businesses, reinforcing the importance of local support in promoting high school athletics.
Looking Ahead
As the event approaches, McDonald’s aims to maximize participation through social media outreach and other marketing strategies, encouraging both students and their families to leverage mobile ordering as a fun and easy way to contribute. The expectation is to not only raise funds but also to raise awareness about the foundational role high school sports play in community engagement and development.
This noteworthy effort to combine community involvement with local sports is a testament to the ongoing commitment of local businesses to support the youth and enrich the high school experience in Grand Rapids.
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Additional Resources
- MLive: Week 8 Football Standouts
- SI: Grand Rapids Area High School Football Schedule
- WOOD TV: High School Football Frenzy Highlights
- Detroit Free Press: Michigan High School Football Rankings
- MaxPreps: Football Recap
- Wikipedia: High School Football in the United States
- Google Search: Michigan high school football
- Google Scholar: High School Athletics Fundraising
- Encyclopedia Britannica: High School Football
- Google News: Grand Rapids High School Football

Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.