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Community Corner

Chick-Fil-A Honors Military

The Aliso Viejo restaurant event is held to thank past and present troops.

Aliso Viejo's Chick-Fil-A hosted its first military appreciation night Wednesday, giving an early start to the Memorial Day weekend.

Military Appreciation Night is one of four events Chick-Fil-A hosts to support and reach out to local communities. Others include: Daddy Daughter Date Night in March, Chick-Fil-A Cow Appreciation day on July 12 and Teacher Appreciation day in September.

Guests from the military were treated to their choice of three combo meals, while a balloon artist and face painting were available to entertain the children.

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Erin Ricks, wife of the Aliso Viejo Chick-Fil-A owner Mike Ricks, said corporate began planning this event last November.

”It’s just a great way to kick off Memorial Day weekend and to thank our troops for all they’ve done,” she said.

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Each different Chick-Fil-A location was able to implement a personal touch to their military appreciation event. Ricks decided to give an opportunity for children and guests to write personalized letters to those in the military.

Coupons were given to the first 200 participants and a raffle ticket was provided for every military letter written for the chance to win a weekend getaway at the Renaissance ClubSport, one round of golf for four people at the Aliso Viejo Country Club, a Chick-Fil-A small nugget tray or a Chick-Fil-A party for 10 people.

Event assistant, Karolin Strabling said they were expecting about 300 people to attend the event.

“I’m really excited because there’s so many in the military that are in California and we do appreciate everything they’ve done. It’s also good way for us to connect with those who have served us,” she said.

Local volunteers, who signed up through the Chick-Fil-A Facebook page, helped organize the event by passing out coupons and directing the military to fill out food forms.

Jane Thompson, retired military personnel, enjoyed the event with her family. Thompson was a "body bagger" in the 1985 Panama War and also served as a drill sergeant in the Gulf War. Originally from Georgia where they hosted similar events at Golden Coral, she said she truly enjoyed the efforts of Chick-Fil-A.

“It’s such a wonderful event to thank those who have served our country and it is just so appropriate for those who have made it back safe and sound. I’m just so very impressed and it really shows that people have really been thinking of us while we were away."

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