When Barbara Danner was pulling up to drive thru at her local Dutch Bros in Vancouver, Washington on Saturday, she noticed something unusual happening at the check-out window. In front of her was a young woman in her car and three employees at the window, with their expressions downturned and holding onto each other. She snapped a picture and when she went to the till she asked what she had just seen.
Snapped this picture while waiting in line at the Dutch Bros on 138th Avenue today. Turns out the young lady in line…
Posted by Barbara Danner on Saturday, March 19, 2016
“Turns out the young lady in line ahead of us lost her 37-year-old husband last night,” Danner wrote on Facebook. “When the DB guys & gals noticed she was falling apart, they stopped everything and prayed with her for several minutes, invited her to come back for prayer and support, as well as anything else that she might need. Prayers for the young family, and you know where to stop for coffee!”
The employees at Dutch Bros. act of kindness prompted Danner to share the image on social media, where it has since been shared thousands of times with many other people commenting about the kindness they have received at other Dutch Bros. coffee shops.
One woman wrote, “I stopped by after I had to put down a beloved pet. In my head a Dutch Bros coffee = comfort. They gave it to me for free along with some kind words. I’ve never forgotten that.”
Another said, “When my parents were in a head on collision last year, the amazing kids at the Dutch Bros on Coburg Road in Eugene came together with their own tips to purchase my mom (a VERY regular customer) a beautiful card and they loaded up a gift card for her so she would not have to worry about paying for her coffee during her recovery for a long time!”
And one other fan wrote, “I am not religious, but THIS is what we need for humanity: Empathy and understanding, true human connection, and love. Way to go Dutch Bros., once again, you did an amazing job at hiring your staff.”
The company has made a point to spread kindness and includes it in their company’s creed, which they call The Dutch Creed (or Optimist’s Creed). It reads:
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only the best, to work only for the best and expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
That’s a creed that everyone can get behind no matter what your faith or belief!
Share this moment of true human connection and compassion with your family and friends.
Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links.