American Tobacco hosted its 2nd Annual First Responder Appreciation Day on Tuesday, September 27, 2017, serving free hot lunches to 500 First Responders from Durham County.

American Tobacco produced its second annual First responders Appreciation Day on Wednesday, September 27, 2017. ATC, AU and DBAP staff members handed 500 meals and gifts to Durham County First Responders from these divisions:

• Durham City Police Department
• Durham City Fire Department
• Durham County Sheriff’s Office
• Durham County EMS
• NC State Highway Patrol
• Duke University Police
• NC Central University Police

Thrills from the Grill catered another delicious hot meal containing meatloaf, baked chicken, collard greens and cabbage, mashed potatoes and hush puppies. ATC staff packed 500 cooler bags with water, apple, cookie and coupons to ATC restaurants as a token of our appreciation.

“We had Vivian St. closed to create a drive thru experience with tents and balloons making it festive,” said ATC Event & Conference Services Coordinator Fernanda Araujo.  “It was really great to plan this event again and my personal reward was to see how thankful they were by all the smiley faces. This will always be one of the most rewarding events I’ve ever planned.”

ATC Financial Analyst Eli Bell agreed.

“The lunches were a great way for us to show appreciation for everything the first responders do for the City and County of Durham,” said Bell.  “I’m glad I was a part of it and I look forward to helping out again next year.”

Thanks to ATC’s Fernanda Araujo for this capcom story and to Hal Goodtree & ATC’s Valerie Ward for these capcom photos.

SLIDESHOW:  First Responder Appreciation Day at American Tobacco – Photos by Hal Goodtree

SLIDESHOW:  First Responder Appreciation Day at American Tobacco – Photos by Valerie Ward