WATCH: LI McDonald's Owners Recognize Employees For Decades Of Work

OCEANSIDE, NY — Four employees at the McDonalds in Oceanside have been recognized for more than 25 years of service at the restaurant, including Maria Astorga, who is celebrating three decades; and Arelis Genao and Michelle Van Kuyk, who notched 29 years at the location.

The Hendel family is the owner/operator of several area McDonald's, including the Oceanside restaurant, celebrating the four team members who are part of the 1 in 8 initiative.

"There's a national campaign going on right now that celebrates the fact that one in eight Americans have worked at a McDonald's," Lauren Hendel told Patch. "It's just amazing when you think about it."

As members of the 1 in 8 club, recipients get letterman jackets and bonuses.

Paul Hendel, who began working for a McDonald's in Brooklyn more than a half-century ago as a crew member, said the company gives great skills.

"Whether you make McDonald's a career or leave, the life skills you learn as a McDonald's employee is invaluable," Paul Hendel said.

His son, Mark grew up with a business sense for McDonald's, and made it a career choice after graduating college in 2016.

"The culture in the restaurant wouldn't be the same if they weren't in that restaurant," Mark said of the Oceanside honorees.

Watch the full "Patch Weekly Spotlight" interview below.