ARLINGTON, Texas — An 11-year-old Texas girl who survived a house fire recieved quite the gift from her local McDonald’s — a full college scholarship.
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As TV station WFAA first reported last week, back in March, firefighters were called to a house fire in Arlington, Texas, where a little girl was trapped inside.
“I can hear my daughter’s scream still to this day,” said Alex Salinas. “It’s the scariest feeling. It’s like, ‘what do you do?’”
Salinas says 11-year-old Delilah spent more than a month in the hospital getting treatment for second- and third-degree burns to her arms and face.
When she got out, the fire department was called back to her house, only this time it was far less consequential.
Firefighters gave Delilah a ride to school on her first day back since the fire. She said it was the highlight of her recovery, although she wasn’t too thrilled to be back at school.
“No, not at all,” she said.
Where did she want the fire department to take her?
“McDonald’s,” Delilah laughed.
Firefighters didn’t need to take Delilah to McDonald’s because after her story first aired, McDonald’s came to her.
Anthony Grissett owns several McDonald’s franchises, and when he saw Delilah’s story, he delivered. Joined by firefighters, Grissett brought lunch for the entire class, which made him quite popular … until Grimace walked in the door.
They had enough gifts and goodies for everyone. More importantly, Grissett provided encouragement.
“Life has a way to turn tragedy into opportunity,” he said.
For Delilah, this was that opportunity.
Grissett told her that if she does well in school and one day works for McDonald’s, the company will pay for her college.
She couldn’t believe it.
“I have never had that happen before to me at all,” she said.
Delilah says the offer has made her more eager to come to school and work hard. She does not want to waste the opportunity.
It could cost Grissett and McDonald’s a lot, and yet, he says it’s worth every penny.
“It is more valuable than money,” he said. “It provides joy to satisfy people and that is my purpose.”
Caring for others is how you change the world, whether you’re serving billions or just one.
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