CLIFTON HEIGHTS — Eileen Gallagher, manager of the McDonald’s restaurant at 531 E. Baltimore Pike, Clifton Heights, has won a Ray Kroc Award, an accolade that recognizes the top performing McDonald’s restaurant managers globally.
Named in honor of the McDonald’s Corp. founder Ray Kroc, the awards were established in 1999 to recognize hard-working restaurant managers, those who make Kroc’s vision of excellence come to life in restaurants and for customers each day. The awards recognize the top 1% of McDonald’s managers worldwide.
Gallagher was one of 395 McDonald’s Restaurant managers from 70 markets around the world to receive the honor, which includes a cash prize, a trophy and a trip to McDonald’s Worldwide Convention in Barcelona, Spain. She was recently presented with her award by owner/operators Rich and Alyssa Doane, as well as her crew members and family.
Gallagher has been working for McDonald’s for 25 years, starting as a crew member and working her way up to serve as general manager for eight years.
Gallagher is deeply involved in the community, choosing an organization in her community every month to give back to with a food or monetary donation. The manager has worked with organizations such as Clifton Heights Fire Department, PM Pediatrics Urgent Care, the Clifton Heights Safety Patrol, Primos Elementary School, Clifton Heights Police Department, Springfield Hospital and many more.
“I feel incredibly grateful to be working with an organization such as McDonald’s that continues to recognize their employees and accomplishments along the way,” she said.
McDonald’s independent franchisees and regional management nominate restaurant managers for the Ray Kroc Awards to recognize their hard work, dedication and commitment to McDonald’s and its customers. Restaurant managers play a critical role in delivering an outstanding customer experience and ensuring that McDonald’s is a great place to work.
“Eileen is a champion of the community and is always looking to give back,” Alyssa Doane said. “She continuously donates her time to local organizations within our community and has raised over $11,000 for the Ronald McDonald House since January of this year. We are proud to promote a culture of care in our restaurants, and Eileen puts those values into action.”
For more information on McDonald’s restaurants, visit http://www.mcdonalds.com/.
County recognizes Veteran Suicide Prevention Week
Delaware County Council issued a resolution last week, recognizing Sept. 10 to 16 as Veteran Suicide Prevention Week in the county, a time dedicated to fostering a culture of compassion, understanding and support for our brave veterans.
According to a county press release:
The resolution spotlights the struggle of veterans and coincided with National Suicide Prevention Week. …The resolution recognizes the sacrifices made by our nation’s veterans in service to our country and acknowledges the difficult challenges they often face upon returning to civilian life after bravely serving and protecting our country.
Veterans often carry the weight of their service long after their active duty ends. The transition to civilian life can be incredibly challenging, and many veterans grapple with issues like post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety. Unfortunately, these struggles can sometimes lead to thoughts of suicide.
According to a recent Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, the suicide rate among veterans is 1.5 times greater than the nonveteran population ages 18-plus, with over 6,000 veterans dying by suicide each year.
Despite accounting for just 7.9% of the population, veterans account for 13.5% of all suicides in the nation.
County council, in coordination with the county’s Military and Veteran’s Affairs Department under the leadership of Col. Arthur Jenkins and in partnership with the county’s Department of Human Services, strives to assist veterans in the county who may be struggling with mental health issues.
Veterans can always call the confidential 24/7 Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988, then pressing 1. This line is available for veterans and active-duty military — even if they’re not enrolled in VA benefits or health care. Veterans Crisis Line responders will connect callers with the resources they need.
Veterans are invited to two upcoming events designed to foster connection and camaraderie. These events will give an opportunity for vets to bond, share experiences, and engage in meaningful discussions about the issues that matter most.
Sunday, Sept. 24, noon to 2 p.m.: Veteran Chat and Chew at Grace Lutheran Church, 2191 West Chester Pike, Broomall.
Monday, Sept. 25, 5 p.m.: “The Journey Home,” a film screening and VA S.A.V.E. training is available at the Delaware County Intermediate Unit, 200 Yale Ave., Morton, in Room 150. To attend, RSVP by contacting Shardae Wescott at 484-744-3269.
The Veterans Affairs website also includes a variety of helpful resources geared towards helping veterans deal with feelings of depression, isolation, PTSD, substance abuse, career challenges, health issues, living with disabilities and more. Visit http://va.gov/reach/ for more information.
Delaware County veterans can also reach out to the county’s veterans department online at www.delcopa.gov/vetaffairs/index.html, and by phone at 610-891-4646 for general resources and assistance.
St. Madeline Parish to hold fall carnival
St. Madeline Parish in Ridley Park will hold its fall carnival, Wednesday, Oct. 4 through Saturday, Oct. 7 from 6 to 10 p.m. in the St. James Regional Catholic School Parking Lot, 500 Tome St., Ridley Park.
In addition to rides, games, carnival foods, raffles and fun for all ages, the parish will hold a pasta dinner fundraiser at 5 p.m. on Oct. 7.
Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for children under 10 and include pasta, meatballs, salad, a roll and bottled water. To pre-order meal tickets, call 610-532-6880 or email [email protected].
Parents and caregivers invited to sign up for free car seat safety checks
The Springfield Police Department will offer free car seat safety checks on Thursday, Sept. 21 from 3 to 6 p.m. at Springfield Ford, 50 Baltimore Pike, Springfield.
Seven out of 10 car seats are installed incorrectly, police said.
Parents and other child caregivers can feel confident about their children’s safety after police officers check rear-facing car seats, forward-facing car seats, booster seats and seat belts to be sure they are installed correctly and being used properly.
The event is sponsored by Springfield Ford, Crozer Health and the Delaware County Transportation Management Association.
To attend the event, sign-ups are necessary at https://springfieldfordcarseatcheck.eventbrite.com.
Schoolhouse Center offers Brain Health Workshop
On World Alzheimer’s Day, Thursday, Sept. 21, Home Instead, an in-home care provider, will offer Brain Health Workshop at 12:15 p.m. at Schoolhouse Center, 600 Swarthmore Ave., Folsom.
Amy Holler, owner of Home Instead in Holmes, will draw on her experience caring for individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias to provide guidance on recognizing the signs, reducing the risk and reimagining care.
She also can share insights on what family caregivers say they need most to stabilize mental and physical health.
The program will be of special interest to those caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease, Holler says, because the strain of caregiving could put them at greater risk of developing dementia themselves.
The program will follow lunch and is open to the public. For more information, call Schoolhouse at 610-237-8100.
Delaware County Symphony to give chamber concert
The Delaware County Symphony will present Delco Arts Week: Local Connections Chamber Concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 1 in Neumann University’s Meagher Theatre, Aston.
This first chamber concert of the season will feature composers and arrangers with local connections.
Included on the program will be Samuel Barber’s “String Quartet in B minor and Canzone” for flute and piano.
Also for flute and piano, is Gary Shocker’s “Regrets and Resolutions.”
Former symphony member, Vince Iannone, is presenting his “Tango Familiare” for woodwind quintet; and the concert concludes with an arrangement for chamber orchestra by local composer Joseph Lorini of Isaac Albéniz’s “Chants d’Espagne.”
Tickets for the concert may be purchased at http://dcsmusic.org/tickets.
Springfield Crossings marks National Assisted Living Week
Springfield Crossings Enhanced Senior Living on Sproul Road in Springfield is celebrating National Assisted Living Week with an exploration of the Swinging ’60s.
Springfield Crossings’ personal care residents are “strolling down memory lane” via a series of activities highlighting the decade’s memorable and meaningful moments.
Established by the National Center for Assisted Living in 1995, National Assisted Living Week offers opportunities to residents and their loved ones, personal care staff and volunteers to recognize and celebrate the importance of assisted living care for seniors and individuals with disabilities.
The choice of the 1960s — a decade when Motown and the British Invasion were taking over the music scene, color TVs made their debut, and man first walked on the moon — best reflects the personality of the Springfield Crossings’ community.
Throughout the week, daily themed events encouraged residents to share special moments like weddings and anniversaries and recall how children had fun during that time. Other activities focused on key historical events, and an Outrageous Friday party closed out the celebration in the true spirit of the decade.
Readers can send community news and photos to Peg DeGrassa at [email protected].
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