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.
