Jerry and Lori Lewis, of Jerry Lewis McDonald's Restaurant, were named Bluffton Lions Club citizen of the year for 2010 on March 29.

The couple join a long list of Bluffton residents recognized over the years by the Bluffton Lions Club. This was the 30th year for the award to be presented.

Jerry and Lori Lewis have assisted countless programs in the Bluffton community. These include athletics, the arts, churches, education and individual families.

They have contributed to these by giving of their time, talents, support, food and financial aid.The couple owns 15 McDonald's restaurants in a five-county area.

Speakers at the award dinner included:

• Guy Neal, Bluffton University men's basketball coach
• Rev. Ryan Grace, pastor of First United Methodist Church
• Keith Buckingham, personal friend
• Londell Smith, instructor at Rhodes State College
• Fred Rodabaugh, mayor of Bluffton
• Daryl Buroker, Citizens National Bank
• Greg Denecker, Bluffton schools superintendent
• Scott Shaw, personal friend and business partner
• Jessica Hall, daughter of Jerry and Lori
• Jonathon Lewis, son of Jerry and Lori

Last spring Jerry Lewis was honored by McDonald's Corp. with the Golden Arch Award at the 2010 McDonald's Worldwide Convention in Orlando, Florida.

The McDonald's Golden Arch Award is the most prestigious award given to McDonald's owners and honors the "best of the best" in the McDonald's owner/operator community.

Less than one percent of franchise owners earn this honor of a lifetime.

This award recognizes the recipient's focus on customer service, outstanding quality, service, cleanliness and value, significant community involvement, exceptional achievements in all areas of McDonald's Plan to Win, and contributions to the success of the McDonald's brand.

Upon receiving this award, Lewis said, "I am honored and humbled by the award but it truly goes to my employees who are so committed to serving the customers each day. My people are the reason for this award."

After serving four years in the military, Lewis started his McDonald's career more than 30 years ago making McDonald's world famous french fries.

He realized that through McDonald's he could do two of the things he loved the most, serve customers and give back to the community in which he lived and did business.

After moving through the management program Lewis built his first McDonald's Restaurant in Bluffton in 1987.

Today, Lewis is the owner of 17 McDonald's Restaurants in Lima, Delphos, Van Wert, Beaverdam, Bluffton, Ada, Ottawa, Hicksville, Carey and Upper Sandusky. He employs more than 850 people in a seven-country area.