McDonald's Employee With Down Syndrome Celebrates 30 Years On The Job
PLACERVILLE (CBS13) – For Paul Voss, working at McDonald's is more than just a job.
Voss, who has Down syndrome, has been working at the Placerville McDonald's since 1986. He's affectionately known as the lobby general.
"I like the people, McDonald's and the church!" Voss said.
On Wednesday, dozens of people came out to celebrate his 30 years serving up smiles.
Jill Ruhkala is Voss' job coach.
"Paul's been trying for years to put me out of work," Ruhkala said with a laugh.
She's been with him since day one and is responsible for making sure he gets a job and keeps it. Ruhkala says throughout that time, Voss only had one request in his 30 years on the job: to be treated like everybody else.
"He wants to be the same as other people," said Ruhkala.
Voss' coworkers say that's not hard to do.
"He's just awesome," coworker Evelyn Medina said. "[He] always comes to work with a smile; always taps me on my shoulder to say 'good morning' or 'how are you doing?'"
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Voss' boss says in the three decades he's been there, Paul has never been late for a shift.
"He always manages to put a smile on everyone's face," said supervisor Tara Coyle.
Voss says Wednesday's celebration made him feel like a superhero. He's just thankful for the opportunity to be here.
When asked how much longer he plans on being at this McDonald's, he says he's got another 30 years in him.