DALLAS - July 8, 2013 // PRNewswire // - Kids caught red-handed doing good deeds in the community may find themselves cold-handed as a result, holding a free Slurpee® drink. Thousands of uniformed police officers across the country will hand out free Slurpee coupons this summer through Operation Chill™, 7-Eleven® stores' popular community service program.
Big-city police departments and small-town forces alike receive the coupons, redeemable for a free small Slurpee drink at participating 7-Eleven stores. This year, the convenience retailer will distribute coupons to more than 600 agencies across the U.S. as part if this as part of the award-winning community service program introduced 18 years ago in Philadelphia before launching nationally the following the year. Since then, police officers have given away millions of Slurpee drinks to reward children and youth for "good behavior." This year's participating agencies are listed below.
"Uniformed police officers sometimes need a positive reason to interact with children and youth, and giving kids free Slurpee coupons for doing good is a great way to build a relationship," said Mark Stinde, 7-Eleven's vice president of asset protection. "Recognizing kids with a favorite summertime treat can reinforce good conduct, which might have a long-lasting impact."
Through Operation Chill, law enforcement officers from participating local police and sheriff's departments "ticket" youngsters who are caught in random acts of kindness, good deeds or positive community activities with free Slurpee coupons. Appropriate "offenses" might include helping another person, wearing a bicycle helmet while riding or skateboarding, deterring crime or participating in a police athletic league.
Since the program's inception in 1995, more than 11 million Operation Chill coupons have been distributed to law enforcement agencies in metropolitan areas where 7-Eleven operates stores. During the upcoming summer months and back-to-school season, good kids in more than 600 neighborhoods, cities, towns and counties will receive free Slurpee coupons.
Operation Chill was developed by 7-Eleven to encourage kids' good behavior during the hot summer months when communities may experience increases in loitering, shoplifting and graffiti. Law enforcement agencies' also use the coupons to support other community relations projects.
According to Stinde, police departments begin contacting 7-Eleven early each year to sign up for the annual program. Coupons are being distributed to participating law enforcement agencies including the greater Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, San Diego, Orlando, Tampa, Dallas, Denver and Las Vegas areas.
"Operation Chill continues to be one of our most popular community relations programs ever," Stinde said, "and both children and officers eagerly anticipate it each year. "What kid doesn't love a free Slurpee drink? And having a reason to approach youngsters in a non-authoritative role gives police officers an opportunity to make connections with the community's youngest citizens."
7-Eleven's proprietary Slurpee semi-frozen carbonated beverage 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.
7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 10,100 7-Eleven® stores in North America. Globally, 7-Eleven has some 50,500 stores in 16 countries. During 2012, 7-Eleven stores generated total worldwide sales close to $84.8 billion. 7-Eleven has been honored by a number of companies and organizations recently. Accolades include: #2 on Forbes magazine's 2011 list of Top Franchises for the Money; #3 spot on Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 list for 2012, #3 in Forbes magazine's Top 20 Franchises to Start, and #2 in Franchise Times Top 200 Franchise Companies. 7-Eleven was named No. 3 on Fast Company magazine's 2013 list of the "World's Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in Retail." Hispanic Magazine named 7-Eleven among its Hispanic Corporate Top 100 Companies that provide the most opportunities to Hispanics. 7-Eleven received the 2010 Retailer of the Year honor from PL Buyer because of the company's private-label brand initiative. 7-Eleven is franchising its stores in the U.S.and expanding through organic growth, acquisitions and its Business Conversion Program. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com.
Participating Law Enforcement Agencies:
SOURCE 7-Eleven, Inc.