What deals are available for first responders on 24/7 day?

ALTOONA, Pa. ( WTAJ ) — To thank those who often work around the clock, July 24 is recognized as 24/7 Day and convenience stores around the country plan to give out free items to first responders.

The National Association of Convenience Stores Foundation (NACS) started 24/7 Day six years ago and the annual event helps raise awareness and donations for the American Red Cross and supports local heroes.

Stores will be honoring responders wearing their uniform or badge — including police officers, fire fighters, EMTs, doctors, nurses, health practitioners, 911 professionals and American Red Cross volunteers.

According to NACS, convenience stores will offer specials for their community and raise money for the American Red Cross. This year, almost 50 retailers are participating, representing tens of thousands of stores across the country.

“For each first responder that comes in, it can be a free cup of coffee or a fountain drink of any size. And all they have to do is be in uniform or wear their badge. So it’s a great simple way for us to say thank you and to recognize the work that they do 24/7,” said Stephanie Sikorski, Executive Director of the NACS Foundation.

These are the offers for first responders in our area on 24/7 Day:

• Rutter’s — Rutter’s will offer first responders and military personnel (active and veteran) a free fountain beverage or coffee of any size on 24/7 Day. To redeem this, you will either need to be in uniform or show your ID.
• Sheetz — Any size cup of coffee or fountain drink to police, fire, EMS, doctors, nurses, medical personnel, 911 first responders and Red Cross volunteers with a valid ID or in uniform.
• Turkey Hill — All Turkey Hill Minit Markets locations will offer a free coffee or fountain drink of any size to uniformed or credentialed: public safety personnel (police, fire, ambulance, dispatch, sheriff, corrections officers); healthcare workers (doctors, nurses, hospital staff); and military servicemembers (active duty, reserve duty, National Guard members).

“For first responders, it’s a great, safe place for them to kind of get acclimated to where they need to respond to next. And for community members like you and me, it’s simply might be the first or the last place that we get gas, that we get water, whether we’re either exiting safely from our community or coming back,” Sikorski said.

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To support 24/7 Day, the NACS Foundation recommends telling first responders what they can receive at stores, donating to the Red Cross, or visiting a participating store. Several 24/7 Day partners will also donate a portion of sales for certain products to the Red Cross throughout the month of July.

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