Olive Garden gives back to first responders

Posted By: Pierce Georlett

pgeorlett@klkntv.com

For the 17th straight year, Olive Garden went out on Labor Day to give back to first responders here in Lincoln.
 
"We’re doing our labor day hospitality visits where we take our food to our first responders here in the local community. Just to say thanks for what they do and for helping us keep safe," said General Manger Travis Ehlers. 
 
Travis Ehlers and two of his employees went to stations 2, 5 and 7 stocked with salad, pasta and bread sticks.
 
"Well we got contacted by Olive Garden earlier in the week and they said they wanted to show their appreciation toward first responders and the fire service by bringing us a meal to a couple of different stations that surround their business and it means a lot to us it’s a way they can how their gratitude for what we do," said Cpt. Dean Delany of Station 7.
 
For Travis, every year this day means a lot to him and his employees to show admiration for the first responders that help the community out in a big way.
 
"It’s one of these things where you know they put themselves out there for us everyday for the big and the small, and just a way to say thanks for what you do and we appreciate it," added Ehlers. 
 
On a holiday like Labor Day to be away from their families is tough, but a meal like this can really bring the whole station together.
 
"We are away from our families but this is kinda our family our second family, everyone is spending time together and it just makes it much more enjoyable to have a meal like this brought in that we all can share together," said Cpt. Micheal Smith of Station 5. 
 
For the Lincoln first responders the gesture means a lot to them. 

 
"We appreciate it, it’s just really nice to be thought of and it’s really nice for people to just take time to come in and do something for us," said Cpt. Smith.