Santa Maria Sun / School Scene

McTeacher's Night raises money for local schools

Amy Asman

Hamburger helpers Ontiveros Elementary School employees served dinner on Oct. 18 as part of the annual McTeacher’s Night fundraiser sponsored by the McDonald’s corporation and local franchise owners Ted and Cheryl Maddux. From left to right are second grade teacher Wendy Deale, McDonald’s manager Rudy Lopez, teacher-tutor Liz Loew, and McDonald’s employee Tamara Medellin. PHOTO BY AMY ASMAN

The McDonald’s restaurant on South Broadway was a swarm of activity on Oct. 18 as parents, children, and other community members stood in line to buy hamburgers and Happy Meals in support of Ontiveros Elementary School.

 

Principal Margaret Ontiveros greeted people dressed in teal and white, the school’s colors, as other staff members helped take orders, cook, and serve food.

 

“I’m so appreciative that McDonald’s offers schools the opportunity to do these fundraisers,” she told the Sun later in an interview.

 

She said the employees raised $771 for the Ontiveros Parent-Teacher Association. The money will go toward field trips and other enrichment activities.

 

Employees from several schools in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District worked for an evening at local McDonald’s restaurants the week of Oct. 15 as part of McTeacher’s Night, a fundraiser sponsored by the fast food chain. The restaurants, which are locally owned by Ted and Cheryl Maddux, donated 20 percent of the sales that occurred between the hours of 5 and 8 p.m. to the individual school.

 

Rudy Lopez, manager of the South Broadway location, said the Maddux family has sponsored the fundraiser for several years.

 

“It’s great to help the schools,” Lopez said after helping Ontiveros teachers Wendy Deale and Liz Loew pass out meals.

 

All of the school staff members got a short training session before taking over for the regular McDonald’s employees, who were on-hand to help keep up in the fast-paced kitchen.