SALINAS VALLEY — Local McDonald’s owner and operator Raymond Costa has awarded college scholarships to 21 employees and their children of McDonald’s restaurants throughout Salinas Valley and Hollister.
This year’s recipients received between $1,500 and $5,000 in scholarship money to help pay for tuition or cost of attendance at various schools, including California State University Monterey Bay, Hartnell College, University of California Santa Cruz, Sacramento State University and San Jose State University, among others.
The Raymond H. Costa Family Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation for Monterey County was established to provide scholarships to McDonald’s employees and their immediate families to help them pursue higher education.
Since 2017, more than $343,000 in scholarships have been awarded to employees, many of whom are first-generation college students.
“Each year, we look forward to announcing our scholarship recipients,” Costa said. “These scholarships are available to give every type of student the opportunity to pursue higher education to better themselves and their families. Our employees are hardworking and inspiring, and we wish this year’s recipients the best of luck as they pursue their dreams.”
Costa has been a McDonald’s owner and operator for 27 years and owns nine restaurants throughout the Central Coast. He started off awarding his employees with toys and has since then moved on to award money for college.
Costa was inspired to give back from his own personal experience when he and his family were given Christmas gifts collected from a toy drive after his father passed away.
The Raymond H. Costa Family Scholarship Fund strives to promote learning and enhance the quality of life for McDonald’s crew members and their families.
The award provides funding to assist eligible students who wish to pursue an undergraduate and post-graduate college education, attend a certificate course or seek trade skill development.
