TONAWANDA, N.Y. — The owner of a diner in the Town of Tonawanda is saying thank you to the volunteer firefighters who protect his restaurant day in and day out, and he's challenging other businesses to do the same.
The owner of Greek To Me Restaurant on Eggert Rd. in the Town of Tonawanda presented the active volunteer firefighters with the Brighton and Kenilworth volunteer fire departments- 120 firefighters total- with $15 gift cards to his restaurant.
Vince Karam has already donated meals to Kenmore Mercy Hospital and town of Tonawanda and Kenmore police officers, and he plans to donate to Twin City Ambulance workers as well.
He just wanted to find a way to say thank you to the first responders.
"They're the most humble, grateful people I know, and they're forgotten a lot," said Karam.
He said his restaurant is seeing 60% of its normal business, but extra tips and donations from customers are allowing him to pay it forward. The firefighters tell WGRZ they were shocked by the kind gesture.
"Everybody is volunteer and that's what we do. We're not looking for pay. We're just doing it because everybody's involved in the community and that's what we do," said Rob Mooney, president of the Brighton Volunteer Fire Company.
The Greek to Me Restaurant is challenging other restaurants to do the same, and donate to the volunteer fire department in their neighborhood.