Eckrich continued to celebrate its 120th anniversary on Friday by honoring a special military veteran and his family in a way only Eckrich can. surprised the family today with the gift of a brand new 2014 Ford Fusion and free groceries for a year at Jewel-Osco. The gifts were the culmination of an once-in-a-lifetime morning for the Goss family.
Veteran Army Specialist Raymond Goss, his wife, Jennifer, and their two young children were in need of a new car, but they never thought they would receive one when they pulled into a Jewel-Osco parking lot on Friday morning. Eckrich, with a little help from “The King” Richard Petty,
Eckrich initially surprised the family when a replica of the No. 43 Eckrich Ford drove up and greeted them at the front of the store. Inside the car were VIP tickets for the Goss family to join the race team this weekend at the Chicagoland Speedway as well as authentic crew uniforms and hats. The Goss family was all smiles at the gesture, but it was only the beginning.
The morning was made even better when the family was presented with a year of free groceries at Jewel-Osco on behalf of Eckrich. The surprises weren’t over, however, and around the corner of the store came “The King” Richard Petty driving a new Ford Fusion, the same model that current driver of the famed No. 43, Aric Almirola, races each week. Petty stepped out of the vehicle and handed the keys to the Goss family telling them that the car was theirs, also on behalf of Eckrich. The family was shocked and excited.
“I am just overwhelmed,” said Goss. “I just can’t believe that Eckrich and Richard Petty gave my family a new car. Who can say that? I don’t think too many people and it’s something that I’ll never forget. It means a lot when a company like Eckrich remembers veterans like myself and do something special. We’re just really grateful for Eckrich, Jewel-Osco and Richard Petty. We’re now fans for life.”
“Eckrich is thrilled to give a new car and free groceries for one year to one of our military families,” said Charles Gitkin, vice president, marketing, innovation and R&D for the John Morrell Food Group. “Eckrich is celebrating its 120th anniversary this week and there is no better way to do that than to have Richard Petty and Operation Homefront partner with us in this special gift to the Goss family. They are very deserving and we’re honored to thank them in our own special way.”
Honoring the Goss family is part of Eckrich’s 120th anniversary celebration that will continue this weekend. The No. 43 Eckrich Ford will feature the names of 120 military families on the hood and sides of the most famous racecar in all of motorsports. Each of these families will also be guests of Eckrich at the race and will receive a $120 gift card to Jewel-Osco courtesy of Eckrich.
The No. 43 Eckrich Ford will race Sunday afternoon live on ESPN at 2:00 p.m. ET.
Eckrich Foods PR
