Matt and Val Hadwin/McDonald’s Clark County are receiving the Vancouver USA Hometown Caring Heart Award. Through Matt and Val’s continued generosity, they have supported and made a difference in the lives of countless children in our community, especially those in foster care. Having grown up as a foster child, Val has experienced, firsthand, the need for these children to have a cheerleader or coach. In her life, she found this support in her high school teachers and a very special counselor, Mr. Fitzer, all of whom she credits with greatly impacting her life and her passion for helping others in need. Although Val was born and raised in Vancouver, Matt moved here after completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering to begin his career with Tektronix, Inc. He later obtained a Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Matt and Val became parents when they were just 18 years old.  This forced them to become very responsible at an early age.  Later, they added four more children to their family (which has now grown to include three grandchildren). For the past 18 years, Matt has been a franchisee for McDonald’s.  Val has been a franchisee for three years. Together they own 15 McDonald’s restaurants and employ over 600 people in Clark County and Kelso. They are not only partners in business, but also in their volunteering. They say, “We share the same values and giving back to our community comes naturally.”  One example is the program which provides free meals at all area McDonald’s restaurants to foster children who come in with their social worker.  The Hadwins generously extended this offer to include Innovative Services NW foster care participants in the Respite, Case Aide and Supervised Visitation programs.  Matt and Val are also involved with Vancouver, Evergreen, Camas, Battle Ground, and Kelso school districts; area DECA programs; the Firstenburg Community Center; and various neighborhood associations.  They also donate to the Annual Community Youth Holiday event for over 600 children; Babies in Need; Sparrow Clubs; the Battle Ground and Vancouver regional libraries; Kiwanis and Lions Clubs.  Matt and Val share a passion for Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities; “We were blessed with five healthy children and our compassion for parents with truly sick children is difficult to put into words.” Val is a board member of Ronald McDonald House Charities. During their down time, Matt and Val love to travel, especially to Hawaii; they enjoy golf, swimming, exercising, white water rafting and reading.