Charles Ramsey, the Cleveland man who made national headlines with his rescue of three women from his neighbor Ariel Castro’s home, was awarded a year’s worth of free food at McDonald’s.
Mr. Ramsey, in numerous interviews after the rescue, said he had just returned from a trip to McDonald’s and was about to sit down to eat when he heard calls for help from his neighbor’s home.
His suspicions aroused — he said he knew no women lived at that home — he walked to the driveway with a “half-eaten Big Mac” in his hand, CNN reported.
The rest is history: He helped the woman, now known to be Amanda Berry, from the house, which led to the discovery and rescue of the other two women, Gina DeJesus and Michele Knight.
Mr. Castro has been subsequently charged with numerous counts of kidnapping.
Twitter exploded in the days that followed, and social media hailed Mr. Ramsey as a hero and called for McDonald’s to reward him.
“Free burgers for life,” tweeted one man, CNN reported.
And another: “It was the best advert you could get — Heroes eat Big Macs.”
McDonald’s — which had been quiet about its behind-scenes contact with Mr. Ramsey, especially after it emerged he had an arrest record that included domestic violence, burglary and drugs — finally announced the free meals for a year this week, CNN said.
Mr. Ramsey also has other free food offers from local restaurants. Fourteen local eating establishments have awarded him with free burgers for life, CNN reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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