IRVING, Texas – This summer, thousands of local law enforcement officers will be dispensing well-deserved Slurpee justice to good kids across the United States. Since 1995, 7 Eleven has been working with police and sheriff’s departments to distribute free Slurpee drink coupons to children and youth through its Operation Chill community service program.
During 2017, 7 Eleven will issue up to 1.33 million Slurpee coupons to almost 1,000 law enforcement agencies which, in turn, will distribute most of those during the summer months and back-to-school season.
“The Suffolk County Police Department’s partnership with 7 Eleven’s Operation Chill program is a unique way for our officers to engage with the youth in our county,” Suffolk County, New York, Police Commissioner Timothy D. Sini stated. “Interacting with our community’s children in positive ways is an important element of what our officers do daily. We appreciative 7 Eleven’s commitment to providing an additional way for officers to make a positive impact and look forward to our eighth year ‘ticketing’ young children and teens when caught doing acts of kindness.”
City departments and small-town forces alike use the Slurpee coupons to enhance relationships with the young people of their cities by rewarding them for good deeds, constructive activities and acts of kindness. Appropriate “offenses” might include helping another person, deterring crime or participating in a community- or police-sponsored event. Although the reasons for being “ticketed” are varied, the result is the same for every youngster: a free Slurpee drink and a smile for being a good kid. Each coupon can be redeemed for a small Slurpee drink at participating 7 Eleven stores.
Operation Chill began 22 years ago in Philadelphia to give law enforcement officers a positive reason to interact with children and teens, and has since expanded to cities across the United States. Since the program’s inception, more than 19 million Operation Chill coupons have been distributed to hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the country in areas where 7 Eleven operates stores.
“Year after year, Operation Chill is our most popular community service program,” said Mark Stinde, vice president of asset protection for 7 Eleven. “Kids love Slurpee drinks, and police officers love having a reason to approach kids … for doing something good. And we, at 7 Eleven, love helping them make those important connections in the community.”
7 Eleven’s proprietary Slurpee semi-frozen carbonated beverage has generational appeal with customers both young and old. More than a half-million Slurpee drinks are purchased each day during the summer at 7 Eleven stores across the country. This summer’s flavors include Chrome Cotton Candy and sugar-free Watermelon Lime, made with all natural flavors.