McDonald’s serves free ‘Thank You Meal’ to first responders

There are a million ways to say thank you and McDonald’s Saipan started doing it in its own way yesterday by serving free “Thank You Meals” to almost 700 COVID-19 front-liners composed of first responders and health care workers.

According to McDonald’s owner and operator Marcia “Ruri” Ayuyu, this is their way of showing appreciation to the CNMI’s health care workers, Department of Public Safety, Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services, and the COVID-19 Task Force.

“Today, we begin to thank the men and women of these agencies for their commitment, continued dedication and sacrifices for the whole CNMI community. I know that they have been working really hard for the CNMI’s health and safety to fight the spread of the virus and we continue to pray for them,” She said.

Ayuyu also thanked the Torres administration for ensuring that sufficient medical equipment and supplies reach the islands. “The administration has been active and working hard to bring in what we need…and we hope through the ‘Thank You Meals’ they will know we support them,” she added.

This initiative is a national campaign of McDonald’s worldwide and the management of McDonald’s Saipan and Guam made sure that this will be executed on the islands as well. “My bosses were not hesitant to do it and said, ‘Let’s us find a way.’ This is the first time we have had a national campaign like this and we are very happy to bring it to Saipan and Guam,” said Mable Glenn, McDonald’s executive assistant to the president.

She acknowledged that many personally have friends who are first responders. “We are humbled and inspired by the work our first responders do,” she said, adding that the “Thank You Meal” program is a great way to “give back this way and show our appreciation.”

The campaign will run for two weeks from April 22 to May 5 and every first responder is entitled to one free “Thank You Meal” (either breakfast, lunch, or dinner). “They can do take-out or drive-thru to ask for their Thank You Meal. Select the meal options and present their badge or identification card.”

Breakfast choices include the McDonald’s breakfast sandwiches, hash browns, and a drink. Lunch and dinner options include double cheeseburger, 6-piece chicken nuggets, or Filet-O-Fish with fries and a drink.

The same campaign was also launched in Guam yesterday, led by Jose C. “Joe” Ayuyu, president and owner of McDonald’s Guam and Saipan. In a press release, he said they are inspired by the work that front-liners do each and every day. “At McDonald’s, we’re more than happy to participate in such a wonderful campaign to express our gratitude to all front-liners throughout Guam and Saipan,” he added.

Gov. Ralph Torres, who was present at the “Thank You Meal” launch at McDonald’s on Middle Road, said, said this is one of the many ways that the CNMI’s private partners have been helping one way or another. Besides McDonald’s, among those that have also reached out to the government to help are Kanoa Resort, Pacific Islands Club Saipan, Kensington Saipan, a sanitation company, the Joeten family, and “many others who have privately made contributions.”

“We appreciate this kind gesture from the Ayuyu family,” he added. “We are here to show our appreciation and welcome our private partners that help and support our first responders…especially at a time like this.”

The “Thank You Meal” launch was also attended by Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Commonwealth Healthcare CEO Esther Muña; Warren Villagomez, director of Public Health and Hospital Emergency Preparedness Program; Department of Public Safety Commissioner Robert A. Guerrero, and Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services spokesman Derek Gersonde, who was accompanied by some DFEMS staff.