Social Impact & Volunteering

Coca-Cola and Wendy’s Add Excitement to Central Ohio Families’ Holiday Celebrations

Feb 15, 2017 9:00 AM ET
The Coca-Cola team traveled to Columbus to help share the holiday spirit with a family who just adopted from foster care.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The excitement of running to the family room and seeing presents under the tree; we all remember tearing into the wrapping paper to see what Santa left for us. But families that have recently grown through adoption sometimes strain to provide gifts for their newly-expanded family during the holidays.

This year, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption was overwhelmed with support from both The Coca Cola Company and The Wendy’s Company employees who wanted to help. On December 13, a team from Coca-Cola came to Columbus armed with a family’s wish list and hit the stores.

“The Coca-Cola team is committed to always looking for ways to support the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption both nationally and locally,” said Erin Byron, VP, Global Marketing & Innovation, Wendy’s International Account Team. “We are continuously inspired by the work done by the Foundation and the children and families touched by its work.”

“The Coca-Cola Company and The Wendy’s Company are amazing friends and generous partners in so many ways. This is just another example in which they have gone out of their way to help families who have opened their hearts and homes to adoption,” said Rita Soronen, President & CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.

Erin’s team from Coca-Cola put on their elf hats and were able to fulfill the family’s wishes in just one afternoon. A couple of hours spent doing good deeds set their holiday season off right.

“Beyond the work we do with Coca-Cola to support the Foundation, individually many of us often ask, ‘How can we personally help?’” said Erin. “The opportunity to adopt a family, particularly during the holiday season, was a rewarding, hands-on experience that enabled us to personally enhance Christmas for one special local family!”

The Wendy’s Company employees in Dublin, OH adopted 10 families in the Columbus area and the Foundation staff was able to play “Santa” by dropping off the gifts to each house. Upon seeing a minivan full of gifts, one mother exclaimed, “Is that all for my family? Oh my, I won’t have to buy a single thing.” She had a tear rolling down her cheek as she took in the unexpected generosity.

2017 is off to a new and exciting start at the Foundation as we look to the future with plans to grow our Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program. We are so thankful for the support, partnership and friendship from Coca-Cola and Wendy’s. We wish you all a very Happy New Year.

To learn more about how to get involved with the Dave Thomas Foundation for adoption email info@davethomasfoundation.org and our communications team will connect you with the right people.