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Nola Sizemore

Staff Writer

McTeacher’s Night is a fundraising project hosted by McDonald’s Restaurants across the United State to help raise funds for local schools, said Harlan McDonald’s manager Dawn Simpson.

The event was recently held in Harlan County, with Harlan Elementary School selected as this year’s recipient.

“Approximately 70 restaurants in the Knoxville (Tenn.) region, which includes Harlan and surrounding counties, are participating in this event,” said Simpson. “We contacted the school and asked if they wanted to participate and they decided to come on board. Teachers, staff and parent volunteers will work a one and one-half hour shift to raise money for their school. A percentage of our sales tonight will be donated to Harlan Elementary School.”

Simpson said not only is this a great fundraiser, but it connects the restaurant to the community.

“Our customers are very important to us and anything we can give back we are happy to do,” said Simpson. “McDonald’s has been serving Harlan Countians for the past 25 years and I’ve been a part of this wonderful organization for the past 10 years. I am very pleased with the huge turn out we’ve had with this year’s McTeacher Night event.”

Third grade teacher Tricia Burkhart, donning her bright green McTeacher T-shirt, said she really enjoyed the experience.

“I’ve been so excited about this event,” said Burkhart. “This is a nice thing for McDonald’s to do for the community, especially the schools.”

Savanna Wynn, Harlan, who has a child at the Sunshine School and another in the first grade at Harlan elementary, said, “This is an awesome opportunity to help the school, but also to help local businesses with sales during a struggling economy.”

“The kids get to come together and have a huge party,” said Wynn. “As working parents, we don’t all get to come together with our children to enjoy an event. This has given us that opportunity.”

Kentucky State Police Sgt. Rob Farley, who is also the parent of two Harlan Elementary School students, said the funds raised from this event will greatly benefit the school during tough economic times.

“I think this is fantastic,” said Harlan Attorney Otis Doan, who’s daughter Amanda Shepherd is a kindergarten teacher at Harlan Elementary School. “I wish some of the other restaurants and businesses across the county would do the same thing. This generates income for the schools and restaurants — it helps the teachers and provides comradeship.”

Reach Nola Sizemore at 606-573-4510 or at nsizemore@heartlandpublications.com