The Original Oyster House restaurants honored over 900 Mobile and Baldwin County law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics by offering a free “Never Forget” Lunch on Friday, September 11, 2015. The 8th Annual Never Forget Lunch was established in honor of the 9/11 First Responders who risked their lives to save, protect and serve and also to recognize all first responders for their service. Iheart Media’s Dan Mason, Debby LaFayette and Shelby Mitchell covered the event with the LiteMix Van and a live broadcast. This year the Mobile Causeway restaurant added a blood drive in memory of 9/11 victims and created a friendly competition between firefighters, law enforcement and EMTs to encourage more donors.
LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, a 501(c) 3 non-profit community blood supplier, was on hand for blood donations and to calculate a winner. The day brought 27 registered donors with 25 donations exceeding the daily average of 17. All blood donations collected are distributed to local hospitals in Mobile, Baldwin, and Escambia Counties.
Conceding quite easily when asked if firefighters were the favorite to win, a local first responder replied, “They win every time we compete; softball, soccer it doesn’t matter.” But law enforcement actually set the bar by winning the inaugural Never Forget Lunch Blood Drive in memory of 9/11 victims and their families.
“It’s really tough times in America for Law Enforcement and first responders in general so today is a great opportunity for us to reflect on the bravery of the first responders who perished in that incident,” stated James Barber, chief of police, Mobile, Ala.
“Once upon a time when people saw a siren, you’d make the sign of the cross as respect in knowing that there’s some type of tragedy happening. Now more than ever, with what’s happening, with the disrespect and police officers being killed, we have to remember these guys. This is our way of saying thank you. We are blessed to be able to put this on. It’s a shot in the arm for our employees who love it when we do this every year,” stated Joe Roszkowski, CEO and president of Superb Foods/Original Oyster House restaurants.
The Original Oyster House has become the “must-go-to” place for great fresh Gulf seafood, service and southern hospitality and for its panoramic waterfront sunsets. A top-spot for hand-shucked and fire-grilled oysters, the Original Oyster House has also become legendary for its homemade gumbo, cheesy grits with blackened shrimp, as well as handcrafted desserts including its famous Peanut Butter Pie. Patrons, employees and children are welcomed as family. Known as an employer of choice, the Original Oyster House has long-time, loyal employees who value family, integrity and great service. Consistently earning high marks in customer satisfaction, the Original Oyster House’s mission is to exceed customer’s expectations and received the 2015 TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award.
The Original Oyster House (OOH) has two locations, Mobile: 3733 Battleship Parkway, on the Causeway and Gulf Shores: 701 Hwy 59 on the Original Oyster House Boardwalk. Both locations offer spectacular waterfront views and have been celebrated as the area’s finest family restaurants for the past 30 years. The Original Oyster House is managed by Superb Foods, a management company of Geez Louise Boutique, OOH Trading Company and Joe & Dave’s Sauces and Seasonings. For more information about the Original Oyster House, visit www.originaloysterhouse.com/911 or call 251-928-2620.
Pictured from left at the 2015 Never Forget Lunch at the Original Oyster House are Dan Mason of iHeart Radio, Joe Roszkowski, David Dekle, Tim Crawford, Cecilia Mace, Shelby Mitchell of iHeart Radio, Brent Becker and James Barber.
Pictured from left at the Never Forget Lunch Blood Drive recruiting donors are Ashley Hoskins, Stephanie Wilks, Logan Rowe and Jennifer Rulon of LifeSouth. Law Enforcement won the friendly competition of blood donations between first responders.