7-Eleven is promoting a strong relationship between communities and their local law enforcement.
7-Eleven Inc. has launched the 21st annual Operation Chill community-service program, through which it will help thousands of local police officers across the country reward the good behavior of the young children in their communities by rewarding them with free Slurpee drink coupons.
Big-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, positive activities and acts of kindness.
“The dedicated men and women of Flower Mound, Texas Police Department are excited to partner with 7-Eleven this summer for Operation Chill,” said Andy Kancel, chief of Flower Mound, Texas Police Department. “This program is consistent with our agency’s mission and values of positively engaging our community. Our sincere thanks to 7-Eleven for investing in the community. We at Flower Mound Police Department look forward to utilizing Operation Chill to create and strengthen relationships with the young citizens we serve in our town.”
Started in Philadelphia to give law enforcement officers a positive reason to interact with children and teens, the Operation Chill program has expanded to cities across the country. Through Operation Chill, law enforcement officers from participating local police and sheriff’s departments can “ticket” youngsters caught in the act of doing good with Slurpee beverage coupons. Appropriate “offenses” might include helping another person, deterring crime or participating in a positive activity in the community. Each coupon can be redeemed for a small Slurpee drink at participating 7-Eleven stores.
“I don’t know who likes the Operation Chill program more, police officers or kids,” said Mark Stinde, vice president of asset protection for 7-Eleven. “Police officers have told us they love having a positive reason to approach kids and surprise them with a Slurpee coupon as a reward for doing something good.”
Since the program’s inception in 1995, more than 15 million Operation Chill coupons have been distributed to hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the country in areas where 7-Eleven operates stores. During 2016, up to 1.28 million coupons will be issued nationally to more than 940 law enforcement agencies; most during the summer months and back-to-school season.
The Operation Chill program comes of age in 2016, turning 21 the same year that 7-Eleven and Slurpee lovers celebrate the iconic drink’s 50th birthday (#slurpeefiftee). The Operation Chill logo was redesigned to mark the milestone, now sporting the retailer’s trademark green, red and orange colors. The line, “Encouraging Positive Behavior,” was also added to better communicate the program’s mission.
7-Eleven is marking the 50th birthday of its proprietary Slurpee semi-frozen carbonated beverage with ongoing promotions and parties. The popular drink has generational appeal with slurpers 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.
