McDonald's Grand Opening Brings More Than Smiles to Community

The brand new McDonald’s on Barton Road kicked off its grand opening and brought not only good food but also smiles to the community this past Sunday, Jan. 18. Twenty percent of the grand opening sales were donated to the Loma Linda Ronald McDonald House expansion(LLRMH). A myriad of community members, local leaders, local police and the KFROG radio station team started the celebration at noon. The one and only Ronald McDonald also stopped by to hang out for the day. There were face paintings, photo booths, raffle prizes in which KFROG announced winners every 30 minutes, and even the opportunity to sit inside a police car. Community members gathered inside to eat their lunch, then came out to the parking lot to have fun and win some prizes. There was a special feature at the event as well: the 1989 Michael Keaton Batmobile. Ronald McDonald, as well as owner-operator of multiple McDonald’s locations, Tom Spiel, had some fun with it as they both hopped in the car while kids surrounded it in awe. “What does this ‘eject’ button do?” a confused Ronald McDonald shouted out while the kids laughed. Lifelong Grand Terrace resident Shawn Lowell brought his four kids, Mason, Kasey, Josh and Blake, to the grand opening for some lunch. Ronald McDonald himself joined their table while they were eating lunch to hang out with his four young kids. They enjoyed more than food as they headed out to the parking lot for some fun activities after they ate. “It’s my weekend with my kids,” Lowell said smiling. “This couldn’t be more perfect.” The LLRMH offers a home to those families that have loved ones in need of intensive care. However, they must expand in order to meet as many of the community’s needs as possible. According to executive director of the LLRMH, Michael Kovack, LLRMH must raise a total of $8.5 million in order for them to break ground on their expansion project. “Oh yeah!” Kovack said when asked if he felt confident in meeting that goal. “Twenty percent of all sales… that’s absolutely unheard of in McDonald’s,” he added.