A McDonald's manager is out of a job after funding the meals of many firefighter customers, and venting words.
Heather Levia covered the $83 cost of 25 breakfast sandwiches and hash browns after they came into the Olean, N.Y. restaurant after responding to a fire in extremely cold temperatures because she was grateful for the assistance they provide in times of need television station WIVB reported Thursday.
"I wish the communities would change and help each other out," Heather Levia told WIVB. "I wish that things didn't have to be the way they are. And if losing my job is going to speak out to the community, then that's what it's going to do," Levia told WIVB.
Levia transmitted a text message to her boss, and phoned McDonald's corporate office to inquire about McDonald's funding the cost of firefighters from another municipality who bought $70 worth of food, to later find out, the restaurant only gives police officers complimentary food.
"We are aware that certain allegations have been made concerning the reasons for Heather Levia's termination," the restaurant said in a statement television station WIVB reported. "Out of respect for Ms. Levia and her privacy, it would not be appropriate to comment in detail on the reasons she is no longer employed by our organization. Still, it should be pointed out that the allegations are absolutely not true. We would never penalize an employee for showing appropriate gratitude for the work of our firefighters."
Firefighters rang Levia's boss to show support since they felt she was made to fund the meals.
"It was a shock. We certainly regret the fact she lost her job. We can't speak on corporate policy because we don't know the background of it," Gordon Scott a media officer for the Allegany Fire Department told WIVB. "It was a sad affair because a gentleman lost a home. And it's even worse because we know now that this gal apparently lost her job because of it," Scott told WIVB.
Levia was then terminated her next time on the job following the incident for swearing according to the company WIVB reported.
"I did say this is freaking' ridiculous. But it was not implied to anybody," Levia told WIVB.
Levia was on the job for eight years.
