Staff Editorial: McHugh's offers semester of free tuition, sense of generosity
Issue date: 11/9/09 Section: Opinions
Almost all businesses try to lure customers in by way of bargain prices, special offers, crazy gimmicks and even the enter-to-win maneuver.
It shouldn't be surprising at this point. Pizza places offer $5 pizzas ready to be picked up and others use online coupons as a means to build a larger customer base. Almost every fast-food restaurant has a value menu.
But what McHugh's Double Drive-Thru is attempting now is near unheard of. The restaurant, as advertised by its sign for all to see, is offering a chance to win $3,500 toward tuition for the upcoming spring semester.
At first glance, this almost appeared to be a joke. Someone had cleverly managed to put up a faux offer on its sign. But as the days have passed, the sign remains the same. And, low and behold, the offer is a legitimate one.
But, wait, what's that? The offer isn't even one related to a business maneuver? The restaurant is offering this simply out of kindness? Now this is a move even Disney would think too kind-hearted to be true.
However, as reported in an article in Friday's edition of The Daily Eastern News, it appears the offer simply is one made of generosity; no ploy evident here. Students simply need to fill out an application, no purchase necessary.
The article stated that Tom McHugh, owner of the restaurants located in Charleston and Mattoon, "was compelled to offer the deal after the General Assembly cut MAP grant funding in half from last year."
McHugh went on to say, "We are trying to show our appreciation and gratitude for those living in these two towns."
Almost unbelievable, but there it is from the proverbial horse's mouth.
Beyond even the obvious, incredible nature of such an offer is the fact that it comes not from a large, corporately funded business, but a homegrown product of Coles County.
While the economy struggles to get back on its feet, Charleston has seen numerous businesses fail recently. Some have opened and struggled to get off the ground. Others have simply stalled at the gate. But, since its opening in 1991, McHugh's has provided the measuring stick for which other local businesses are measured. Through economic difficulties, McHugh's has hung tough. Even more impressive may be the fact that it has found success while sitting barely 50 yards from McDonald's - its survival has been impressive, to say the least.
But even now, with jobs coming at a premium, and people all over finding ways to make ends meet, the restaurant is reaching deep into its pockets and coming up with a semester's worth of tuition for one student. Bravo.
Even after the Illinois General Assembly signed a commitment to find funds for the MAP grant, McHugh still said the offer would continue because "he felt it would be wrong to rescind the offer," The DEN article stated.
And there it is, in plain English: It would be wrong. Many businesses consider their customers, all consider the dollar signs and cost margins and risk to benefit ratio.
But this local business is bringing it all back to right and wrong. It is right for someone with the means to help his community to do so, it is wrong to rescind an offer even after the need for such an offer may have been rendered unnecessary.
It is a small-town, everybody-watches-everybody's back mentality and it is an inspired move by McHugh.
So on behalf of all students who will enter and the one student who will win: Thank you. And on behalf of the entire Charleston community: Thank you.
The offer may seem too good to be true, but, in reality, it is just an example of compassion, altruism. It is simply good.
It shouldn't be surprising at this point. Pizza places offer $5 pizzas ready to be picked up and others use online coupons as a means to build a larger customer base. Almost every fast-food restaurant has a value menu.
But what McHugh's Double Drive-Thru is attempting now is near unheard of. The restaurant, as advertised by its sign for all to see, is offering a chance to win $3,500 toward tuition for the upcoming spring semester.
At first glance, this almost appeared to be a joke. Someone had cleverly managed to put up a faux offer on its sign. But as the days have passed, the sign remains the same. And, low and behold, the offer is a legitimate one.
But, wait, what's that? The offer isn't even one related to a business maneuver? The restaurant is offering this simply out of kindness? Now this is a move even Disney would think too kind-hearted to be true.
However, as reported in an article in Friday's edition of The Daily Eastern News, it appears the offer simply is one made of generosity; no ploy evident here. Students simply need to fill out an application, no purchase necessary.
The article stated that Tom McHugh, owner of the restaurants located in Charleston and Mattoon, "was compelled to offer the deal after the General Assembly cut MAP grant funding in half from last year."
McHugh went on to say, "We are trying to show our appreciation and gratitude for those living in these two towns."
Almost unbelievable, but there it is from the proverbial horse's mouth.
Beyond even the obvious, incredible nature of such an offer is the fact that it comes not from a large, corporately funded business, but a homegrown product of Coles County.
While the economy struggles to get back on its feet, Charleston has seen numerous businesses fail recently. Some have opened and struggled to get off the ground. Others have simply stalled at the gate. But, since its opening in 1991, McHugh's has provided the measuring stick for which other local businesses are measured. Through economic difficulties, McHugh's has hung tough. Even more impressive may be the fact that it has found success while sitting barely 50 yards from McDonald's - its survival has been impressive, to say the least.
But even now, with jobs coming at a premium, and people all over finding ways to make ends meet, the restaurant is reaching deep into its pockets and coming up with a semester's worth of tuition for one student. Bravo.
Even after the Illinois General Assembly signed a commitment to find funds for the MAP grant, McHugh still said the offer would continue because "he felt it would be wrong to rescind the offer," The DEN article stated.
And there it is, in plain English: It would be wrong. Many businesses consider their customers, all consider the dollar signs and cost margins and risk to benefit ratio.
But this local business is bringing it all back to right and wrong. It is right for someone with the means to help his community to do so, it is wrong to rescind an offer even after the need for such an offer may have been rendered unnecessary.
It is a small-town, everybody-watches-everybody's back mentality and it is an inspired move by McHugh.
So on behalf of all students who will enter and the one student who will win: Thank you. And on behalf of the entire Charleston community: Thank you.
The offer may seem too good to be true, but, in reality, it is just an example of compassion, altruism. It is simply good.
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