07/01/2026
Some moments are bigger than tacos.
A few days ago, I came across a post in the We Are Chanute Facebook group about a young man named William. He wasn’t asking for fireworks or looking for a handout. He was delivering DoorDash orders because he wanted to earn the money himself.
That caught my attention.
The Fourth of July has always been my favorite holiday because of the memories I made with my grandparents. They taught me that the best traditions aren’t just the ones you celebrate—they’re the ones you pass on by showing kindness to others.
So today, we decided to do something special.
We asked William if he would deliver lunch from Taco John’s to the two fireworks tents beside our restaurant. He made the first delivery, then headed to the second tent to finish the job.
What he didn’t know was that there was a surprise waiting for him when he got there.
After completing his delivery, he was presented with a fireworks kit before heading back to Taco John’s. The smile on his face reminded all of us that sometimes the best rewards come when you least expect them.
As General Manager of Taco John’s, I’m proud that we get to serve more than great food—we get to be part of a community that celebrates hard work, encourages young people, and looks out for one another.
William wasn’t looking for a shortcut. He was willing to work for what he wanted. We simply wanted him to know that his effort didn’t go unnoticed.
To everyone who encourages young people to work hard, thank you. Those moments matter more than we often realize.
William, we hope you have an incredible Fourth of July. Keep that work ethic—it will open more doors than you can imagine.
Happy Fourth of July from all of us at Taco John’s! 🇺🇸🌮🎆