After recognition of a Las Vegas fast-food worker’s 27 years of dedication left much to be desired, one comedian’s decision to step up inspired hundreds of others to follow suit and prove that hard work really does pay off.
Earlier in the week, 54-year-old Kevin Ford garnered attention when he appeared in a video thanking the team at the Las Vegas McCarran International Airport Burger King in Nevada for giving him a gift for nearly three decades as a cook and cashier without once missing a day of work.
Commenting that “loyalty pays off,” Ford showed off the contents of his goodie bag for ending the clip with a thumbs up saying, “Thank you, guys.”
The Blaze reported that the bag came from HMS Host which operates restaurants within airports and Ford listed the contents as a single movie ticket, a bag of Reese’s Pieces, two rolls of Lifesavers, a lanyard, a Starbucks cup, two pens, and keychains.
@thekeep777 He’s Worked for the Company for Almost 3 Decades and Has Never Called Out!!!😵💫🥺😱😭 #Grateful #Dads #FathersDay #Loyalty #Honor #WorkersUnite #Rewards #Thankful #NorrinRadd777 #theKeep777 ♬ Slide (feat. Frank Ocean & Migos) – Calvin Harris
The video garnered a lot of attention, prompting Ford’s daughter Seryna to start a crowdfunding page where people so inclined could show their support for her father whom she explained had begun working there to gain custody of her and her older sister.
“Then as our family grew and he remarried, he continue to work here because of the amazing health insurance That was provided through this employer because it was unionized,” Seryna wrote.
“My dad continues to work here, because though he does look young, he is coming up on retirement age and leaving would cost him his retirement,” she went on, adding, “In no way are we asking for money or is he expecting any money but if anyone feels like blessing him he would love to visit his grandchildren.”
The story grabbed the attention of comedian David Spade who contributed $5,000 in addition to inadvertently advertising on behalf of Ford. The crowdfunding campaign quickly blew past the $50,000 goal and Seryna raised the target to $100,000.
“I’m here trying to get through dinner without crying!” she expressed in an update on the outpouring of generosity. “You are such remarkable people. I seriously can’t believe this. Y’all are changing his life!”
Spade reportedly sent Ford a direct message through Instagram and told the “Iron Man” of the fast-food restaurant, “Keep up the good work. 27 years.”
The father of four expressed his immense gratitude for Spade’s contribution and wrote back, “HOLY SH*T Dude!!! Cannot Believe This!!!” and then “THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! For Even Watching the Video! I Love You My Brother!!! Much Love and God Bless. … I think [I] might be able to take a day off.”
The exchange prompted the comedian to quip, “Wait till year 30,” which inspired Ford to joke back, “Damn, are you one of my managers???”
Burger King evidently received criticism over the award Ford earned and had to issue a statement clarifying that it did not come from the corporate offices. People reported, “The Burger King brand and its many franchisees nationwide are committed to recognizing and celebrating the achievements of the thousands of people serving across a wide range of roles — all dedicated to providing our guests a world-class experience.”
“Following review with this location’s franchisee,” the statement continued, “we’ve learned that this video depicts a Team Member in receipt of a peer-to-peer reward in recognition of a short-term positive performance/experience. The franchisee offers its Team Members a robust employee recognition program, which includes the recognition of tenure milestones and monetary awards.”
At the time of this post, the GoFundMe for Ford has reached over $100,000 with Spade’s earlier highest donation being topped by a Scott Dawson chipping in $5,200.
Ford has continued to express his gratitude, saying, “I just want to say thanks to everybody out there. It’s just so overwhelming. I’m just Kevin, you know. I just love everybody. I think that is probably touched people because I think we as humans, period, just need love and gratitude. And when you see someone like that, you know, … I was happy to get anything. Some people get nothing, so I was just happy to get anything.”
It has been reported Ford is considering using the money to purchase a hybrid vehicle to drive to visit his daughters and grandchildren who live in Texas.
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn't researching current events and their impacts, you'll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.
- West Oakland activists latch on to environmental justice to push for reparations: ‘It still comes down to race’ - May 31, 2023
- HS student says debate judge ‘warned’ her not to bring up Trump: ‘She deemed it inappropriate’ - May 31, 2023
- An arrest has been made nearly four months after shooting death of GOP New Jersey councilwoman - May 31, 2023
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
