Last summer, our family traveled nineteen and a half hours in one stretch.
Go ahead. Be impressed by our kids’ ability to ride for almost an entire day in a comatose state. No whining, no complaining, just an insane amount of car games.
Every few hours, we peeled ourselves from the car to fuel up and eat. At one of our stops, we pulled into a Chick-Fil-a (not a restaurant those of us from the North see too much of).
Big deal, right? Fast food, chicken place, Christian owners, right, right.
I walked in and found an entire section of the restaurant blocked off and reserved for Dads and daughters. The tables boasted linen table clothes, tiny vases of fresh flowers, and glitter sprinkles. The little girls proudly sported sundresses and summer sandals.
To reach the restrooms, my girls and I ducked under a flowered arch and passed a photographer snapping Polaroid pictures of those on daddy daughter dates. In a corner table, board games were stacked, but none of the patrons looked like they needed them. The fun was in having Dad's full attention.
Oh, and did I mention the chicken was good? My Chick-fil-A experience made me a fan.
And my Chick-fil-A experience made me think about where I spend my money, and the fact that most of the time I toss it at box stores because it’s easy and convenient.
I don’t like that way of thinking, and I'm working to change it.
This week I discovered a list from the GOOD Company Project.
The GOOD Company Project aims to find businesses with between 100 and 1,000 employees who are working “better and smarter for a smarter better world”.
Cool companies like Better World Books take up places on this list. Better World Books is a for profit organization that has donated over 6,000,000 books, raised almost $12,000,000 for literacy programs, and recycled over 77,000,00 books. Plus, these used books always ship free. Great idea.
As I clicked around the list, I thought about the need for us to be compassionate consumers, and I wondered how you practice intentional spending.
Question for you: Where have you experienced good customer service and witnessed a positive mission (other than making moolah)? A restaurant? Store? Online business? Share, share. I'd love to hear.
: :
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13 comments:
yes, yes, yes! i love this kind of giving. i'll be honest--probably because it's easy. but i've not been disappointed in the products, either, because people who run these kinds of operations are usually dedicated to running them well.
so now that i've said all of that, i'm trying to think of specific examples.
we DO eat more at Chik-Fil-A because of its affiliations and generosity, even though there are other places less expensive.
i DO choose to buy products from certain orphan ministries rather than save a buck or two because i know some of my money is going toward orphan ministry.
and this summer, i'm going to choose to spend a bit more time at our local farmer's market--both to support the community but also interact with that same community. it's less convenient, but i'm looking forward to the fresh food and an opportunity with my kiddos. not quite the same thing as you're talking about here, but still. . .
we have an extremely tight budget, but i am always looking for ways to put my money where it benefits someone else. i'm not saying that in a boastful way, just saying that if i have to spend it, it satisfies the "giver" in me at the same time to put it in some of these places. and we simply don't always have opportunities to give in other, more extravagant ways.
okay, and that was WAY too wordy for 4:38 in the a.m. this first cup of coffee must be a strong one :-)
have a great day, amy! and i'm looking forward to checking out Better World Books!
steph
oh, sevenly.org was something i came across this week due to a friend's daughter doing a fundraiser through it. interesting concept, although if you don't want the t-shirt, you might as well just donate directly to the organization. still, interesting.
Scanning this quickly before heading out the door to Bible study. I'm gonna leave the tab open and come back and dig around some more. I love that you post these kinds of things and make them available to us.
And I wish I could make your InRL meetup in NC!
We have a couple of Chick-Fil-A's in our town. We love it for the food and for the Christian beliefs. Another place we have is Hobby Lobby. The workers in there are always so friendly and smiling and there are a couple that are humming every time I'm in there. I told them how refreshing that was to see a worker humming :)
Great post, I'm going to check out the other places you listed. Thanks!
Steph,
I agree giving by being compassionate consumers is an easy way to give...if I would just take the time and learn about companies with a good mission and focus.
So glad you brought up the local farmers' market. Those are great for a million reasons and it's a place that wasn't even on my radar.
Off to check out sevenly.org!
ps 4:38 is WAY too early!
Nancy,
Oh, I love stumbling across good finds and sharing them. One of the super fun things about the web. Discoveries you may have never discovered!
Kristin,
I can't even tell you the last time I heard an employee humming.
I drive 25 minutes to my cleaners because of their great care and concern for my business and for their Christian beliefs. Businesses need to realize those things matter.
I've had good experiences in most small BBQ joints. The Smokin' Pig, between Clemson & Anderson, SC, it the best, for sure! Can't wait for (in)RL!
Twice in one day I've read about Chick-Fil-A (or as a colorful great-aunt used to call it 'Chick-a-fill'). If we had one in Beijing, I'd go there for dinner tonight! Amy
Twice in one day I've read about Chick-Fil-A (or as a colorful great-aunt used to call it 'Chick-a-fill'). If we had one in Beijing, I'd go there for dinner tonight! Amy
If anyone needs dental braces, I HIGHLY recommend Roeder Orthodontics in Asheville. I LOVE this office!! He has a wonderful Christian staff- it's a loving,joyful,GIVING-back-to-the-community practice! (I also Love Chik-Fil-A!!!!!! YUM!)
amazing resource. thank you so much amy!!!
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