If you know me at all, follow me on snapchat, or even ever seen me out and about, you would know that I LOVE Chick-Fil-A more than pretty much anything else on this planet. I would honestly say that when I am at home in Midlothian, I visit my local Chick-Fil-A restaurant approximately four times a week. Maybe more, if you include runs just to grab some of their scrumptious sweet tea. I am a woman addicted.
However, over the years, Chick-Fil-A has obtained a reputation for being anti-gay marriage. In 2012, their Chief Operating Officer, Dan T. Cathy made a series of public comments opposing same-sex marriage. This resulted in many people boycotting the chain. In July of 2012, Chick-Fil-A released another statement stating that, "Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena."
However, following the horrors in the Orlando night club, Pulse, Chick-Fil-A made a huge effort to try to erase that stigma, while simultaneously helping a community in need of hope, care, and kindness.
Since the beginning, Chick-Fil-A has never been open on Sundays. As much as I hate it when I am craving chicken minis and a large sweet tea on Sunday mornings, I have always respected their decision to give their workers a day off every week in order to, "have an opportunity to rest, spend time with family and friends, and worship if they choose to do so."
However, in the Lee Vista Chick-Fil-A in Orlando, many workers had a different agenda in mind. These employees showed up to work on Sunday morning, departing from their normal hours of operation, and started preparing food for both first responders as well as those donating blood in wake of the horrific shooting. The store was not open to the public; the employees made food simply for the purpose of donating it to those in need.
Thank you, Chick-Fil-A, a company near and dear to my heart and to many others across the country and world, for doing the right thing, even when it is tough. The people of Orlando thank you for reaching out to help a community that had been rocked by the horrors of one of the largest mass-killings in United States history. Thank you for going the extra mile in attempting to re-craft your public image after years of people believing that you were against gay marriage.
I believe that Carrie Kurlander, a spokesperson for Chick-Fil-A said it best. In a statement, Kurlander said, "The events in Orlando stirred our local restaurant owners and their teams to band together to provide nourishment to first responders as well as volunteers who donated blood, we do not think this requires any recognition. It is the least we can do in this community we love."
