McDonald’s Restaurants of southern West Virginia and southwest Virginia are celebrating McDonald’s National People Week September 17-23. This annual event honors employees for their dedication and special achievements.

Many of othe employees are stars in their communities for their volunteerism, and this year McDonald’s is offering those “Community Stars” to local non-profits for one day of volunteer service during People Week.

One employee from ten McDonald’s restaurants in the area will be switching their hat from crew member to volunteer for an eight hour shift. The selected employee will be paid by McDonald’s for their time, the same as if they had completed their regular in-store duties.

“McDonald’s has a proud history of supporting communities surrounding our restaurants,” said Emily Myers Duke, Senior Communications Specialist for McDonald’s of southern West Virginia.

“Our restaurants are often asked for donations and support as many organizations as they can. But our employees are the ones who truly inspire us with their service efforts in their individual communities. We are happy to have these employees to spend a day working at a local non-profit and giving back to their hometown.”

Non-profits that will receive volunteers during National People Week include: • Case Senior Center, Bluefield • The Carpenter’s Corner, Beckley • Meals on Wheels, Welch • Pipestem State Park, Pipestem • Salvation Army, Princeton

These employees will be part of a larger group of volunteers from McDonald’s restaurants throughout the Pittsburgh Region of McDonald’s USA, LLC. Employees from 350 restaurants from Buffalo, N.Y. to Tazewell, Va. will be taking part in the Community Stars program, totaling 2,700 hours of service donated between September 17-23.

About McDonald’s McDonald’s of southern West Virginia and southwest Virginia is comprised of 17 restaurants in Fayette, Greenbrier, McDowell, Mercer, Raleigh, Summers and Wyoming counties in West Virginia and Tazewell County, Va. One hundred percent of the restaurants in this area are independently owned and operated by local franchisees.