TheBuzz
TheBuzz
Students come
to order, literallyMcDonald's Restaurants of Hawaii ended its McExtra card promotion last month to make way for its new McDeals customer loyalty program; commercials for the program featuring the Kahuku High School marching band have hit the TV airwaves.
Meanwhile, several McDonald's restaurants are gearing up to host "McTeachers Night" where teachers and administrators from isle schools will lend a hand behind the counter and at the drive-through window.
Beyond the students getting a big kick out of watching them serve, it's part of a fundraising effort for schools, both public and private.
The bulk of the 20 participating restaurants will observe McTeachers Night on Thursday of next week but due to differing school calendars, certain restaurants may host schools on other nights.
Participating schools keep 20 percent of the 4:30 to 9 p.m. take and an extra $100 each from McDonald's corporate office, according to Marketing Manager Melanie Okazaki.
The fruits of last year's labors purchased educational materials, while some schools earmarked the funds for departments needing special assistance, such as reading programs or athletic equipment, Okazaki said. McTeacher's night had previously been done on a less concerted scale, Okazaki said, but last year officials decided to "try it all together and see what happened." Last year's efforts raised $11,000 and organizers hope to top that figure this year.
The McTeachers won't be wearing official McDonald's uniforms or receive the full-on training for which McDonald's restaurants and their alumni are known, but they will get some guidelines, Okazaki said. "They like to try their hand at making ice cream cones and french fries. Some of them turn out to be pretty good and we offer them part-time work," she laughed. Okazaki said she'd be interested to know if any participants are McDonald's "graduates."
"The teachers and students have a great time," Okazaki said, as some schools bring a band or cheerleading squad or some other special group to provide entertainment.
Some schools are still signing up and others can obtain information about participation by calling McDonald's Restaurants general office on Bishop Street.
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com