One Size Fits All: BIG

Shoe Boxes are like hearts, they come in a variety of sizes. But when it comes to Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes, the hearts that fill them come in only one size: BIG. It is sometimes unimaginable to think that a little boy or girl might not have a pair of gloves, a toothbrush or a single toy. In America, most kids have an abundance of all of these items. Even those considered poor typically have a decent pair of shoes and some candy at Christmastime. This is why Chick-fil-A of New Bern has chosen to partner with Operation Christmas Child, to hold our 2^nd Annual Shoe Box Collection.

Our customers are invited to pick up an empty Operation Christmas Child shoe box at Chick-fil-A, to fill for a needy boy or girl. If they simply bring it back to Chick-fil-A on Saturday November 12^th (2-6pm), they receive a free Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich. There is no “perfect” way to fill a shoebox, and my advice is to visit a local retail store with an open heart and see where it leads. This year, my family filled a box for a boy and for a girl. We spent about an hour in Wal-Mart, picking out what we thought would be best for “our” shoe box recipients. My son loves this tradition and it teaches him the value of giving unselfishly; it teaches us adults just the same.

At Chick-fil-A, helping those in need runs deep in our hearts. In addition to partnering with Operation Christmas Child during the holiday season, throughout the year we work locally and regionally with countless non-profit organizations, churches and schools to make sure that the kids in our community are taken care of as well. We hope you will choose to pack a shoe box (or ten!) this holiday season. Somewhere in the world there is a child hoping to receive a Christmas present from you. Visit the OCC website to learn “How To Pack A Shoe Box”, with Scott McCreery: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/

Hurricane Irene, Uninvited

When the uninvited and unwanted Hurricane Irene ripped her way through Eastern North Carolina, far too many residents were left with severe damage to their homes, vehicles and other personal belongings. Samaritan’s Purse and the NC Baptist Men were on the scene promptly to help, and volunteers from all across the United States flooded our area, almost as quickly as Irene had. Only they were here for a more positive reason.

These folks, who had left behind their family, community, and responsibilities, made their new responsibility our families and our community. They immediately began providing food and beverages for the hungry, removed trees, repaired roofs, cleaned yards, and, most importantly, they brought hope to all of us. At Chick-fil-A of New Bern, we knew we had a part to play as well. We purposely stepped out of our restaurant and, instead of making chicken, we spent time visiting the community.

Our friends and neighbors showed us first-hand the damage the storm had done to their homes and personal items. To as many homes as possible, we took a note of encouragement along with Chick-fil-A food coupons and plush cows for the kids. We were moved by the generosity of the volunteers that we met along the way, and we knew immediately we had to do something for them as well. It was our pleasure to provide each volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse and the NC Baptist Men a FREE Chick-fil-A Sandwich. We also donated as much Chick-fil-A food as possible to the community and listened to story after story as people poured into our restaurant; we became a refuge for those with no power and no food.

Weeks later, there are still people in our community without a place to call home. There are folks who have lost everything. But many choose to cling to the blessings they have gained, instead of the materials they have lost. Many have made new friends and found a new meaning to life. Chick-fil-A encourages everyone who reads this story, to help those who are still in need, and to pass this message along to everyone you know. Let’s pull together to make our community stronger than it was before we ever knew Hurricane Irene.

Glimmers of Hope Amongst Piles of Rubble

A team of Chick-fil-A employees visited the Riverdale area tornado site yesterday. When we arrived we were in shock at what we witnessed, but as we traveled the neighborhoods to check on the folks whose homes had been anywhere from damaged to destroyed, we began to gather glimmers of hope amongst piles of rubble. Armed with coolers full of Chick-fil-A Sandwiches and iced cold water, we fed lunch to every homeowner and volunteer that we could find. We spent two hours listening to their stories, almost in tears at times, and were amazed at how this tragic event has brought people together. If there is one positive note out of this historical storm, it is the importance of community. Chick-fil-A challenges you to find at least one way to help at least one person affected by the recent tornadoes.

A Greater Gift than FREE Chick-fil-A for a Year

Good stories should always be told. This one, however, is a great story. A great Christmas story that you will want to share with everyone you know. It is a true story of hope and love, and of gifts that go beyond the human realm of life.

When we [Chick-fil-A] announced that we would be giving away FREE Chick-fil-A for a Year to ten lucky winners via a drawing on our 10 Year Anniversary, we had no idea the impact it would have on some of the winners and eventually on our community. We drew the winners and I began calling to share the exciting news. Each person reacted differently; some were in shock, some screamed in excitement, and others were humbled by the news of the gift. All were amazed that their name had been drawn.

One phone call, however, began a little differently than the others. When the winner answered, I asked a simple question, a question that we all ask daily without thinking “What if the person I am talking with says ‘Not so good’”. I told the gentlemen on the other end of the line who I was and that I was with Chick-fil-A. Then I simply asked him: “How are you today?” He answered the question this way: “Not so good. We’re having a rough day. We’ve been really busy and we are worn out.” Other than the obvious knowledge that this man was a customer who’d shared our 10 Year Anniversary with us and whose name we’d drawn as a winner, at the time I had no idea who he was.

My emotions and tone quickly transitioned from happy and excited to uncertainty and sadness. Why was he telling me this? was my first thought. So, I asked “What is going on?” What this man shared with me next changed not only my day, but a piece of my perspective on life. “My family’s home recently burned to the ground and they lost nearly everything. We are at the site now, sifting through the ash and mush, trying to salvage what we can.” For a few minutes I did nothing more than listen to  the customer, who for some reason had chosen to share his story and his heart with me – the guy from Chick-fil-A that he didn’t know from Adam. I expressed my concern and sorrow for what had happened to his family. I knew I meant it or I wouldn’t have said it. Truth be told, I became wrapped up in the story and almost forgot that I’d called to give this gentlemen the news that he’d won FREE Chick-fil-A for a Year, until he eventually said, “So, what can I do for you?” What can you do for me? Seriously, he just asked me that, I thought with my eyebrows raised. His family’s house had burnt to the ground – and in our conversation I’d also found out that his wife was out of a job – and he wanted to know what he could do for me?

What he didn’t realize is that in a matter of minutes he’d already changed my life and that his story would indirectly change the life of people all over New Bern and beyond. I then said to him, “In the midst of all that is going on in your life, I have some good news.” When I shared with him that he’d won FREE Chick-fil-A for a year, he couldn’t believe it. Given the circumstances, it was bitter sweet. When he shared with me what he was going to do with it, I couldn’t believe it. It was perfect. “Let’s keep this between you and me,” he said. “I want to give this gift of FREE Chick-fil-A for a Year to my wife…for Christmas. She loves Chick-fil-A.”

With Chick-fil-A employees all around me – totally unaware of the conversation that was happening between myself and this customer – tears began to form in the corners of my eyes. The guys were unloading the truck; other employees were walking through or working in the kitchen. Out front, business was taking place as usual. Customers were eating Chick-fil-A Sandwiches and Waffle Fries and rushing through the drive-thru to get back to work. No one even knew that we [Chick-fil-A] had just changed people’s lives. We had just given a man and his family a glimmer of hope in a time when all they had was ashes. And God had shown us all that no matter how rough life gets, there is always something to be thankful for and that those in need will always be looked out for.

New Bern Chick-fil-A Operator, Tom Pike, shared this story with another one of the winners of FREE Chick-fil-A for a Year, and they decided to share their 52 coupons for free Chick-fil-A meals with folks that were less fortunate than them during this Christmas season. We can only imagine how many people received free Chick-fil-A meals around Christmastime because of gift recipients with big hearts. We do know that the one thing we can all do to change lives is to tell this story, because more than FREE Chick-fil-A for a Year or any other tangible present that can be given at Christmastime or any other time of the year, the gift of love and hope is what people need most.