Over 100 people packed into a McDonald’s restaurant in Needham, Massachusetts this week, to say goodbye to worker Freia David, who is retiring after 32 years of service. Freia, who has Down’s Syndrome, has been working at the fast food giant since 1984. But now after she decided to hang up her apron, her colleagues decided to throw her a lavish party to say farewell.
32 Years is quite an accomplishment! Way to go #FreiaDavid and @McDonalds #AutismSpeaks #NoLimits pic.twitter.com/OfgaQEYTnY
— Lisa C. Wear (@LisaCWear) August 30, 2016
Colleagues spoke of how, before every shift, Freia would make a point of hugging all the staff to say hello.
“When she saw any kids in the lobby, she started making fries and would come out and say, ‘Hi sweetie’. She’s a lovely, lovely girl,” said Rony Sandoval, the restaurant’s manager.
Family, friends and co-workers honored #FreiaDavid after her retirement from #McDonalds! https://t.co/NYlXwZInFZ pic.twitter.com/pWafEQy2RW
— Ann Ringwood (@WL_Ann) August 29, 2016
Freia began working at the restaurant over thirty years ago through a scheme that placed adults with cognitive disabilities in work. However, her mother urged her to retire after she began forgetting things earlier this year.
As a leaving gift, Freia received a silver necklace with a fry-carton pendant, as well as a proclamation from the state House of Representatives. Of the party, Freia said, “It was nice, I’m really happy. I like all my friends here.”
