IRVING, Texas—7-Eleven Inc. has kicked off another year of Operation Chill, the company's signature community outreach program. Now in its 28th year, Operation Chill allows law enforcement officers to create positive connections by awarding a coupon to kids they see doing good deeds or exhibiting positive behavior—which can be redeemed for a free small Slurpee drink at any participating 7-Eleven, Speedway or Stripes store. This summer marks the first time kids are able to redeem their Slurpee drink coupons at their local Speedway store.
"By bringing local law enforcement officers and neighborhood kids together, we are helping to create positive long-term relationships that are key to building thriving communities," said Marissa Jarratt, executive vice president and chief marketing and sustainability officer at 7-Eleven. "And with Speedway stores now participating in Operation Chill, we are thrilled to be bringing this popular community engagement program to even more neighborhoods than ever this summer."
This year, 7-Eleven will issue nearly 500,000 coupons to more than 1,300 participating law enforcement agencies across the country, that will, in turn, be rewarded to children. The reasons for kids being rewarded vary—wearing a helmet while riding a bike, picking up litter, helping a neighbor or holding the door open. The result is the same: a free Slurpee drink and encouragement for being a great citizen.
The Operation Chill program was founded in Philadelphia with a goal to give law enforcement officers a positive way to interact with children and teens. Since its inception in 1995, Operation Chill has expanded to hundreds of cities across the country, donating more than 24 million coupons to U.S. law enforcement agencies in 7-Eleven Inc. communities.