SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio-area McDonald's restaurants partnered with the community in the annual Good Friday fundraiser benefiting the 100 Club.
Participating restaurants donated a portion of their sales from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday to the 100 Club, an organization that assists families of fallen and injured first responders.
Some 100 restaurants in Bexar, Guadalupe, Kendall and Comal counties took part in the event.
"We want to support those brave first responders who go out everyday and risk their lives on our behalf," said Ned Stagg, an owner and operator of 32 local McDonald's restaurants.
The local 100 Club began back in 1973.
Bexar County Deputy Joseph Canales is just one of many first responders to receive help. He has been on the receiving end twice.
Last October, he was assisting San Antonio police when he was shot twice. He is now back on duty and thankful for the 100 Club during his recovery.
"Like a family, (they) were at my house and were there for us, my wife, for my kids, for my mother," Canales said.
In 1972, Canales' father, an SAPD officer, was killed in the line of duty. When Canales turned 18, the 100 Club gave him financial assistance to attend college, get his degree and then follow in his father's footsteps.
"(It's great) when you have a large organization that comes and helps. The 100 Club, they understand what we go through," Canales said.
Joshua Perez, 17, who is about to go to college, lost his father, Oscar, in 2000.
"They have been there for us ever since he's been gone," Joshua Perez said. "They have offered support for us."
With the help of the 100 Club, Joshua Perez will be heading off to college next year.