{"id":15726,"date":"2011-11-30T23:26:29","date_gmt":"2011-12-01T04:26:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/?p=15726"},"modified":"2011-12-02T10:25:46","modified_gmt":"2011-12-02T15:25:46","slug":"golden-girl-serves-smiles-at-mcdonalds-for-childrens-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/2011\/11\/golden-girl-serves-smiles-at-mcdonalds-for-childrens-day","title":{"rendered":"Golden Girl Serves Smiles At McDonalds For Children\u2019s Day"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Kristal Clear -- Kristal Bethel, Acting Chief Licensing Officer and General Manager, Hotel Licensing, Ministry of Tourism, is all smiles when she's greeted by track superstar Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the eve of another World Children’s Day, the golden arches of McDonalds in downtown Nassau opened its doors with Golden Girl Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie at the till and ready to go. “Welcome to McDonald’s. May I take your order please?” she said repeatedly, smiling. With the same gusto, class and grace that have become her signature traits on the track, the 4-time Olympian and Gold-medallist greeted customers, assembled their orders and thanked them for supporting McDonald’s.<\/p>\n

“World Children’s day at McDonald’s was first launched in 2002,” explained Shanendon Cartwright, McDonald’s Marketing and Development Manager. “In 10 years, the event has grown and expanded to more than 100 countries and raised more than $100 million. Here in The Bahamas we are pleased to participate and even more pleased to welcome back Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie who is always willing and ready to support this worthy cause.”<\/p>\n

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Sweet Side -- Olympian gold medallist Debbie Ferguson McKenzie lends a hand and serves up smiles at McDonald's for World Children's Day. The international event has raised more than $100 million to help children around the globe..<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In Nassau, McDonald’s celebrates World Children’s Day by inviting customers to purchase a “Give A Hand” sticker for $1 with proceeds earmarked for specific children’s causes within the community. Beneficiaries have included the Centre for the Deaf, the National Children’s Choir, the Down’s syndrome Association and for the past four years, a child who has courageously batted cancer. “Javon Knowles’ bravery and positive attitude have touched us all. He has worked his way into our hearts and earned his place as our poster boy, setting an example for others,” said Cartwright.<\/p>\n

It is this spirit of giving that lures Ferguson-McKenzie to lend her support. This is the 10th year she has served up Happy Meals, smiles and helped raise funds for children’s causes.<\/p>\n

“Giving back to the community, especially for causes related to children, is a natural and easy thing for me,” acknowledged the Gold Medallist. “Where would any of us be, were it not for the support of others?”<\/p>\n

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MAYOR MAY I SERVE YOU? Vineland, New Jersey Mayor Robert Romano couldn't believe his good fortune when he and his wife walked into McDonald's downtown and the woman serving them was Olympic gold medallist Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie. Romano had never met an Olympian before despite living minutes from track phenom Carl Lewis. It was the 10th year the Bahamian superstar helped dish out goodwill for McDonald's World Children's Day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With this said, she sprinted to her post to welcome another approaching customer. And who should it be but Robert Romano, the mayor of Vineland, New Jersey, the state’s largest city in square miles. “I live about 40 miles away from famed Olympian Carl Lewis,” said the Mayor, “and have never met him. It is quite a twist to be on vacation in Nassau and to be served by another wonderful Olympian whose contributions are so note worthy. I’m Loving It.”<\/p>\n

Similar sentiments were expressed by Kristal Bethel, a high-ranking manager with the Ministry of Tourism. “In Tourism we are always taking note of those good ambassadors who represent our country,” said Bethel. “Debbie has represented The Bahamas beautifully over the years, so I feel quite privileged to be served by her. I am also so impressed by her willingness to give back and serve in this manner.”<\/p>\n

McDonald’s in Nassau is among more than 30,000 restaurants worldwide celebrating World Children’s Day November 20. “Children remind us about all that is good and pure about life,” said Shanendon Cartwright. “I am extremely proud to be associated with a company that seeks to bring positive change to the lives of youngsters in our community, and I am equally pleased to have Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie at our side in this process.”<\/p>\n

By Diane Phillips and Associates<\/p>\n

Photos by Vincent Vaughan<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The golden arches of McDonalds in downtown Nassau opened its doors with Golden Girl Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie at the till and ready to go. “Welcome to McDonald’s. May I take your order please?” she said repeatedly, smiling.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_10223285771444175_51037792744":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[61,133,131],"class_list":["post-15726","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-lifestyle","tag-charity","tag-community","tag-sports-2"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15726","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15726"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15726\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15726"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15726"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bahamasb2b.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15726"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}