Devin Morgan arrived at the Chelsea McDonald’s about 11:15 a.m. Sunday morning, just 15 minutes before the scheduled drawing for a giant stocking filled with goodies and gifts from Chelsea Area Chamber Members businesses.
The event was part of the three-day Hometown Holiday that took place Nov. 30-Dec. 2.
She filled out slips of paper for her daughters, Chloe Morgan, 1, and Madison Morgan, and her daughter’s friend, Eva Dewaele. Then the group headed to the play area of the M-52 McDonald’s to wait for the drawing.
Manager Amber Flintoft and manager-in-training Patrick Morris both shook the brightly colored tin that held all the entries before Morris pulled the winning name.
“We expected it to be really crowded for the drawing,” Devin Morgan said, “And we got here kinda late.”
Morgan said this is “the kid’s favorite restaurant. They’d come here every day if they could.”
So when Chloe’s name was called, Morgan could not believe her daughter’s luck.
“Chloe, you won,” she told the baby, who was in her arms.
Flintoft and Morris cut down the giant stocking from its secure spot behind the counter and brought it to the winner. The first thing Chloe did was grab an adorable teddy bear from the Chelsea Teddy Bear Company and hugged it tightly.
Meanwhile, her big sister and friend were busy unwrapping the other surprises in the stocking that included mugs and glasses, chocolate, and lots of gift certificates. Participating businesses included: Chelsea Lumber, Anytime Fitness, Back to the Roots, Chelsea Lanes, Bumble’s Dry Goods, The Treehouse, Key Bank, Thompson’s Pizza, Victory Lane, Jets Pizza, Cottage Inn, Gigi’s Flowers and Gifts, Jimmy Johns, Westside Gym & Fitness, Ellie’s Gourmet Chocolate, the Teddy Bear Company and McDonald’s.
Flintoft said that Lisa Davis, the longtime manager of the store, began the tradition and collected all the donations. “She got all the donations from the businesses every year and hopefully, we’ll continue to do it.”
Dec. 1 was Davis’ last day at the store, so she was not there to see the happy faces of the winners.
“This is wonderful,” Devin Morgan said.
