The Sweet Story Behind the Shamrock Shake

The Shamrock Shake isn't just delicious, it also has a fantastic story about how it became the minty staple in our March diets.

Everyone loves the Shamrock Shake from McDonald's, just writing this blog I'm drooling a bit. But the minty green drink wasn't always a huge hit.

The Shamrock Shake has been around since 1970, according to Thrillist.com, but it didn't become really popular until four years later. Why it became so popular is quite a special story. Little did anyone know, a fantastic charity would come of this as well.

Fred Hill, former Eagles tight end was trying to help out families that had children with leukemia. It was a cause very close to his heart as his daughter was battling the disease as well. A charity was started but he wasn't really sure what to do with all the donations and funds.

As legend has it, a doctor at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia suggested buying a house near the hospital for the parents to stay at while children were in the hospital.

Fred got in touch with the local McDonald's and pitched his proposal: What if Roman Gabriel promoted their Shamrock Shake, and a portion of the profits go towards this house.

(I think you see where this is going right?)

McDonald's counter offered and promised to donate all the money from the Shamrock Shake if they could name the house. And so, the Ronald McDonald House was born.

Pretty cool story huh?

Now you don't have to feel guilty for leaving work a little early to enjoy a Shamrock Shake or two on your drive home from work. I know I don't feel guilty one bit about drinking mine.