The design firm Stantec has been ranked the number one green-building engineering firm in the nation by Building Design + Construction, a national trade magazine.

The magazine’s ranking is based on reported revenues for green or sustainable building projects in 2011.

Stantec, which employs about 140 people in Butler and more than 400 statewide, also ranked second for number of staff members accredited under the United States Green Building Council’s Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design, or LEED, program.

“Sustainable design is at the heart of what we do, both here in Pennsylvania and across our company,” Anton Germishuizen, Stantec vice president and leader of the company’s buildings and architecture practice across the East Coast, said in a news release.

Stantec has designed dozens of green projects across the country.

McDonald’s plans volunteer week

McDonald’s locations in Western Pennsylvania are sending one employee to volunteer at a charity during the first McDonald’s Community Crew Week, which is this week.

In the Butler area, Tracy Maggio will volunteer for the Butler Crossing McDonald’s and will be working at the Butler YWCA on West Cunningham Street.

Angie Beichner is representing the Greater Butler Mart McDonald’s and also will volunteer at the YWCA.

Laci Campbell from the Walmart McDonald’s will serve at Community Care Connections, and Sarah McIntyre from the Clearview McDonald’s will serve the Butler Chapter of the American Red Cross.

More than 350 McDonald’s workers will provide more than 2,700 volunteer hours during the week.

McDonald’s contacted nonprofit agencies in the region to arrange projects.

Baglier helps fund midget football

BUTLER TWP — Baglier Buick GMC of Butler is working to raise $10,000 for the Butler Area Midget Football League.

Through a football program, GMC will give the midget teams kits which include equipment bags, footballs, water bottle carriers, yard marker sets, helmet-sticker decals, and T-shirts.

GMC also has provided 2,000 raffle tickets to help the league raise money, up to $10,000 if the tickets are sold at the recommended $5 per ticket price. All proceeds go to the football league.

There are two raffle prizes, a 2013 GMC Terrain and a large gas grill. The prizes are distributed by region, which includes dealerships and football leagues throughout the Northeast.

Tickets can be bought weeknights at Butler Memorial Park and on Saturdays during football games.

Central Electric sets annual meeting

PARKER — All members of the Central Electric Cooperative are invited to attend its annual meeting and 75th anniversary celebration on Sept. 29 at Whitehall Camp & Conference Center in Emlenton.

Members will elect cooperative board members from Butler and Clarion counties, and learn what is happening in the electric industry.

Registration is at 9 a.m. with a meal from Luigi’s Catering to be served from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Guests must have dinner tickets to receive meals. There will be no takeouts.

A special event this year is a hot-air balloon ride from 9 to 11 a.m., weather permitting.

The Wrangler Band will perform from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Also, in honor of the 75th anniversary, there will be 75 door prizes to be drawn throughout the business meeting. Prize winners must be members who are registered by 1 p.m. and present to win.

The meeting will begin at 1 p.m., with Stephen Brame of the Pennsylvania Rural Electric Association as guest speaker.

Special parking is available for members with state-issued handicapped parking permits.

For information, go to www.central.coop.

Lifesteps receives foundation grant

BUTLER TWP — The Standard Charitable Foundation of Westmoreland County has given a $2,500 grant to Lifesteps.

Lifesteps provides assistance to children and adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and operates 21 community homes serving families in Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler and Westmoreland counties.

Lifesteps will use the grant for three projects: Buying training tables for its Allegheny County facility, which are used to recruit new and train existing staff; buying outdoor furniture for community homes; and helping to provide outings for those living in community homes so they may experience activities outside of their home, such as bowling, going to the movies and dining out.