A day after Ricky Smith, founder of Random Acts of Kindness Everywhere said he was asked to leave an Olive Garden in Parma, the restaurant said they will donate to his nonprofit.
Smith said on Twitter Wednesday that, after talking to the Vice President of Operations at Olive Garden for almost an hour, the company had apologized for what happened Tuesday night.
Talked to the VP of Operations at @olivegarden for almost an hour...
— Ricky Smith (@Rickonia) November 30, 2016
He, on behalf of Olive Garden apologized for what happened to me and my friends yesterday.
— Ricky Smith (@Rickonia) November 30, 2016
Tuesday night, Smith tweeted that he was asked to leave after his server at Olive Garden told his group she "didn't like serving blacks." The server was also black. When Smith asked the manager for a different server, he said he was told they would either have to keep the same server or leave.
Just got asked to leave @olivegarden because we asked for a new server because our server said she doesn't like serving blacks...
— Ricky Smith (@Rickonia) November 30, 2016
And it was a black waitress who said she doesn't like serving blacks.
— Ricky Smith (@Rickonia) November 30, 2016
Smith tweeted Wednesday that both the server and manager are currently on leave.
They're both currently on leave and I pleaded with him not to fire them over this. No need for anyone to lose their job during the holidays
— Ricky Smith (@Rickonia) November 30, 2016
To make up for the incident, Smith said Olive Garden is donating to Random Acts of Kindness Everywhere and is giving Smith and #RAKE $1,000 in gift cards to host families in need at the same location.
. @olivegarden is making a sizable donation @RAKENow #rake and in addition are giving #RAKE $1,000 in gift cards to host families in need.
— Ricky Smith (@Rickonia) November 30, 2016
Smith said it was a "solution to a messed up situation that can bring a little joy and hope to those in Cleveland and across the country."
However,the 911 call from an Olive Garden employee that night paints a different picture.
The caller said Smith's group was being "rowdy" and making racist comments. She also said they tried to buy alcohol for minors.
Smith disputed that claim on Twitter, saying everyone in the group was over the age of 23.
A group of minors all over the age of 23 years old with valid and current IDs. https://t.co/5IFcOsfDL5
— Ricky Smith (@Rickonia) November 30, 2016
