KENWOOD — The parents of slain teenager Hadiya Pendleton will be presented with a donation Friday from a McDonald's franchise owner to help benefit a foundation named in their daughter's honor.
"I won't say how much the check is for, but I will say it is for a substantial amount," said Yolanda Travis, who owns two McDonald's restaurants. "This money will go toward the Hadiya Pendleton Foundation, which I know will do good things for our youths as time goes on."
Hadiya's mother, Cleopatra Cowley-Pendleton, said the pending donation was much appreciated.
"I thank [Travis] from the bottom of my heart for supporting our cause on behalf of our daughter Hadiya," Cowley-Pendleton said. "We are grateful for her support and any support people can provide us."
Prior to her January 2013 murder, Travis recalled how Hadiya and other King College Prep majorettes would practice during the summer for the Bud Billiken Parade outside her restaurant on 47th Street.
"They would march from King College Prep all the way to 51st and Cottage Grove, and would stop in front of my McDonald's and put on a mini-performance for everyone," she said. "The majorettes and band members ate at my restaurant often, and while I do not recall having any individual conversations with Hadiya, I do remember seeing her in my McDonald's a lot."
During last year's Bud Billiken Parade, Travis said Cowley-Pendleton rode on a McDonald's float with her. The pair started talking and didn't stop.
"We had a really nice conversation and talked about all kinds of things, including the senseless violence robbing our youth of their future," Travis said.
The check will be presented Friday at the McDonald's at 740 E. 47th St., which will also celebrate its grand reopening.
In addition to online donations, Cowley-Pendleton said donations for the 501(c)3 nonprofit can be mailed to 47 W. Polk St., Suite 100-547, Chicago IL 60605.
The foundation is in its early stages, but will provide wrap-around social, economic and education services.
"No donation is too small," Cowley-Pendleton said.
