How An Uvalde McDonald's Paid Tribute To A School Shooting Victim
October 20, 2022, brought a poignant tribute to a young victim of the school shootings in Uvalde, Texas, which occurred almost five months earlier. When a gunman took the lives of 19 fourth graders and two teachers at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022, the world changed for countless family and community members. Each victim left their mark in many ways, but a simple fond memory of one little girl brought home the tragedy in a down-home yet striking manner.
Newsweek noted that politicians, athletes, and celebrities reacted strongly to the continuing violence in American schools in the days following the tragedy. Many in the GoFundMe community contributed financial support for victims' families. At the same time, the New York Times provided immediate information on supportive blood drives, legal assistance, and verified victim relief funds from national organizations. As headlines began to fade and victims were another sad addition to statistics, the slow trickle of tributes stood even brighter in the increasingly silent aftermath. That's what happened when a Uvalde McDonald's made a moving tribute in October to 10-year-old victim Lexi Rubio.
She had big dreams and loved McDonald's burgers
Offering a glimpse of her creative mind and willingness to think outside the box, Lexi Rubio invented her own McDonald's burger and consistently ordered it with glee. Now known as the Lexi Burger, it consists of a plain cheeseburger with french fries and chicken nuggets tucked inside the bun, explains Today. In honor of what would have been Lexi's 11th birthday on October 20, a local Uvalde McDonald's put the Lexi Burger on their menu for the entire day.
The response was nationwide, according to Elena Pacheco, co-owner and operator of the Uvalde McDonald's offering the Lexi Burger tribute. Pacheco explained to Today that Lexi's parents requested they offer the burger on her birthday, and the burger venue agreed, stating that they were "incredibly touched and humbled." Though the special burger was officially on the menu only in Uvalde, people from as far away as North Carolina and Illinois signaled their intentions to order it at their local McDonald's on October 20. Per Today, Pacheco notes that any customer can order it at any time at Pachero's McDonald's locations.
More than burgers
Alexandria "Lexi" Aniyah Rubio loved way more than hamburgers. Her obituary shares a life full of hopes and dreams, including earning a softball scholarship to attend St. Mary's University, where her mom attended, and becoming a lawyer. As a 10-year-old girl with strong family connections, she loved her parents, siblings, sports, fishing, baking cookies, nibbling on chocolate with breakfast, and snacking on cheesy popcorn with pickle shots. She dreamed of visiting Australia and living in a snowy location.
The Uvalde Starbucks joined the birthday celebration of her life by offering free samples that day of Lexi's favorite drink, sweet peach tea lemonade. Though her 11th birthday has passed, tributes and ways to support the grieving Uvalde community continue. Lexi's family announced the Lexi's Legacy Run, a virtual 5K run or walk that began on her birthday and continues through November 20. Anyone can join the virtual run and participate in celebrating Lexi's life. According to News4SanAntonio, proceeds from the 5K run will fund service programs for the Uvalde community. Those paying the 5K admission fee receive a "Lexi's Legacy Run" t-shirt, a downloadable race bib, and an authentic race medal inscribed with "She Believed She Could, So She Did."