A heartwarming story from a Slidell, Louisiana Outback Steakhouse has gone viral, thanks to a generous gesture by the restaurant’s manager, Arline Wood, and server, Zoe Rao. When several officers from the Slidell Police Department visited the restaurant for lunch, they were surprised to find their check marked with a heartfelt message and a $0.00 total. The note, which read, “Be safe! Thank y’all for y’all’s service. Enjoy your meal on us!” was accompanied by the gift of covering the officers’ $67 tab.

Zoe Rao, who served the officers, expressed her admiration for them, calling them “the sweetest guys” and sharing how happy she was to take care of them. Arline Wood, the manager, also praised the officers, emphasizing how much she appreciated their dedication to the community.

The kind act caught the attention of the Slidell Police Department when they shared a photo of the check and note on Facebook. The post quickly went viral, with over 1,000 shares, leading to an outpouring of support. Despite the unexpected fame, Wood and Rao remained humble, noting that they had no intention of seeking publicity.

The police department responded with their own message of thanks on social media, acknowledging the thoughtful gesture and noting that the officers left a tip to cover the meal, following department guidelines.

The story has resonated with people online, inspiring a wave of positivity and reinforcing the impact of small, kind actions in building goodwill and community.