BATTLE MOUNTAIN - The Battle Mountain McDonald's restaurant recently held another of their popular school fundraisers. The most recent event welcomed Eleanor Lemaire Elementary School into the company's ever-expanding family of participating schools for the "Kassity Family School Fund."
Regional McDonald's owners Chris and Sharon Kassity live in Carson City. The Kassity family has a history as McDonald's restaurant owners for more than 30 years. After selling their McDonald's restaurants in Folsom, Calif., they purchased five locations in Carson City and Minden in 2004. The Kassitys saw an opportunity to give back and make a difference in the northern Nevada communities where they do business. They now have restaurants in Carson City, Minden, Yerington, Battle Mountain and Winnemucca.
In 2009 the Kassitys formed the Kassity Family School Fund, aimed at helping to ensure that local schools are able to maintain quality education in spite of ongoing state and federal budget cuts. The Kassitys saw that various school funding, programs, supplies and extra-
curricular activities were continually being cut or eliminated.
It is their view that the fund is their way of helping support education and a way of giving back to the community. As part of this ongoing effort, they are dedicated to donating 25 cents per selected menu items purchased, to a fund in the name of the purchaser's school. When customers purchase these selected items from the menu, all they have to do is say the school of their choice, and 25 cents will go into a special fund held at the Community Foundation of Western Nevada, a tax-exempt 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. This promotion is a year-round program and only applies to participating schools.
This is a fantastic way to help generate funds and earn extra revenue for local schools. Until recently, Battle Mountain High School was the only local school enrolled in the program. With the help and encouragement of Battle Mountain McDonald's manager Ana Martinez and shift manager Inez Boyer, Eleanor Lemaire Elementary School (ELES) counselor Cindy Clark was able to finalize the school's participation. Clark said that their help was instrumental in getting ELES going on this vital program.
In addition to the daily 25-cent promotion, McDonald's also holds special 100 percent days in which 100 percent of the total purchase price of selected menu items is donated to participating schools. This spectacular event takes place from when the doors open first thing in the morning until the close of business that day. This is just one more amazing example of how the Kassity family has made a huge positive impact on many local communities.
On Wednesday, Jan. 25, the Battle Mountain McDonald's once again held a 100 percent promotion to benefit Battle Mountain High School and Eleanor Lemaire Elementary School. ELES Principal Amy Nelson said that everyone was very excited to become part of the program. She said that excitement included not just the students but the entire staff as well. Nelson went on to say that she wanted to do whatever she could to help encourage the students' enthusiasm. Nelson and some of the staff members did some brainstorming and came up with a few ideas on how to get the kids really going on the promotion.
Clark said, "About a month before hand, we sent home flyers with the kids, posted the upcoming event in bulletins and even put up flyers around town."
"We sort of made it a contest for the kids. We told the students of ELES that we wanted to beat the high school and earn more money than them. Several staff members ate breakfast and lunch at McDonald's that day, and also took their whole families in for dinner that night. A couple dedicated spouses even treated their employees to lunch just to help out the school."
Clark also said that the staff is really looking forward to taking part in a future McTeacher's night.
The high school was able to raise a total of $321.15, while ELES collected a whopping $610.33. One high school in Carson City was able to collect more than ELES during this fantastic promotion, raising over $1,800 for their school.
Martinez said that even though they typically only hold two of the McTeacher's nights nationally, they can hold even more of them upon requests from the local school principals.
Eleanor Lemaire Elementary School would like to issue a challenge to all the other local schools. They believe that they can raise more money for their school through the 25-cent promotion and the 100 percent days, as well as the McTeacher's night specials than any other school can.
[[In-content Ad]]
