People angry at gift for Burger King worker for 27 years service buy him a house
After nearly 30 years behind the register and fryers of a Nevada Burger King, Kevin Ford, 55, was handed a see-through, plastic drawstring bag.
The cook had never missed a single shift at the fast-food restaurant – and he had his reasons, keeping a roof over the heads of his two daughters as a single father.
As his family grew by two, Ford continued to clock into the Burger King at the Las Vegas Airport that, after efforts by the branch’s union, had ‘amazing health benefits’.
But TikTok users were less than impressed in June 2022 with what he was gifted by the company as thanks for his 27 years of service.
In a video, Ford showed off his goodie bag that included a cinema ticket, a Starbucks cup, a bag of Reese’s Pieces, two packs of Life Savers sweets, two pens, two keychains and a lanyard.
When the video went viral, users said Ford deserved more than the ‘disappointing’ and ‘degrading’ gift bag.
‘It’s sad they did him like this but look at his positivity,’ one user said. ‘This is someone that finds the good in everything. I know he will be blessed with more.’
And just that happened after Ford’s daughter launched a GoFundMe campaign to help get the $200 needed for Ford to fly to Texas and see her and his grandchildren.
Daughter Seryna said on the fundraiser page that Ford got a job at Burger King to support her and her older sister.
He stuck around for 27 years to ensure the now family of four girls – and Ford’s new wife – had health insurance throughout high school and college.
‘My dad continues to work there because though he does look young, he is coming up on retirement age and leaving would cost him his retirement,’ Seryna said.
‘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.’
Now the GoFundMe has raised nearly $445,000 (about £350,000) ahead of his retirement.
Ford told TMZ that he’s used some of the money raised to buy a house in Pahrump, Nevada for $177,000 on December 13.
At 846 square feet, the new pad has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a back garden that overlooks the Spring Mountains.
The house is only an hour’s drive from Burger King, where he continues to work as a cashier and chef. (He has missed one shift, though, to make an appearance on the Today show, which is a pretty good excuse if you ask us.)
The ‘beautiful’ chain of events that led to his viral fame ‘literally saved’ his life, Ford told TMZ.
Kevin told the tabloid website that he’s putting the rest of the money into his retirement pot after giving his daughter a ‘chunk’ so she can buy herself and his grandchildren a home.
In a December 29 TikTok video, Ford gave his followers a tour of his new home and thanked them for making his dreams a reality.
‘I know it’s not a mansion, but it’s mine,’ he said.
‘I want to thank everyone all around the world for what you’ve done for me, something that I thought would never be possible for me: home ownership.’
‘This is truly an American dream,’ he added. ‘A Christmas miracle.’
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