A TikTok video from a Naples, Florida, First Watch restaurant turned a canceled holiday party into a heart-warming gift for an adoptive couple.
The Surprise Announcement
In a short TikTok clip posted by First Watch employee Heidi Paniagua, general manager Brandon Newton called a staff meeting and announced that the restaurant would cancel its holiday party. Newton said, “So, something came to light,” and added, “We are unable to have a holiday party this year. Sorry, something more important came up.” He then revealed that the money earmarked for the party would instead be donated to a local couple, Norman Vales and his wife Alicia, who are in the process of adopting a baby girl.
The Viral Reaction
The video quickly went viral, amassing millions of views and thousands of comments. Fans praised the gesture, writing things like, “That baby is going to have the best parents,” and, “God bless you Norman. You can tell youre the coworker everyone needs.” Other comments noted, “Norman has those dad jokes in the arsenal ready to go,” and, “I would work minimum wage the rest of my life if my coworkers and boss were this kind.” Paniagua responded in the comments, “Exactly I stay here bc I’m with my family.”
The Adoptive Journey
Norman and Alicia Vales have struggled to have a baby for years and decided to adopt. They recently connected with a now-1-year-old girl in Honduras who is available for adoption. The couple has submitted affidavits to the Honduran government, but international adoption is costly and requires two separate trips to Honduras. To help cover the additional expenses, they launched a GoFundMe that has raised $3,445 of its $4,000 goal. In an update, the Valeses said their savings were gone and loans were denied. Alicia told TODAY.com, “We are completely blown away by the generosity of our First Watch family and the outpour of love from the community. All of this has been so unexpected but we will forever be thankful. The donations from First Watch, our family, our friends, and community are life-changing gifts for our family as we prepare for our adoption.”
Corporate Response
Laura Sorensen, chief people officer at First Watch, said she could not be prouder of the Naples team for making the “thoughtful surprise” happen. “Norman and Alicia’s story has touched the hearts of so many,” she told TODAY.com. “We know it’s our people that differentiates us – and this is the epitome of our culture in action. This is our signature hospitality at its finest: Our team doing what they do best and putting others first.” On Dec. 17, CEO Chris Tomasso recorded a special message for the Naples team. He said, “Hey Logan Landings team, we saw your video and are so inspired by you,” and added, “There’s no way we’re gonna let you go without a holiday party.” Tomasso also promised to replenish the location’s holiday party budget and to give “something special” to Norman. “We know you’re gonna be a great dad,” he said. “Happy holidays, everybody.”
Holiday Party Restored
After the viral video and the CEO’s message, the holiday party was saved. A TikTok reply from @dream_g1rlxx noted, “This was sent to us by our CEO Chris Tomasso! This is why I love working for First Watch 🥰 so excited for our party & for Norman and Alicia’s donation to keep growing đź–¤@norman ♬ original sound – dream_g1rlxx.” The team went on to celebrate together, with the donated funds helping Norman and Alicia on their path to parenthood.
Key Takeaways
- First Watch Naples canceled its holiday party to donate the money to an adoptive couple.
- The gesture sparked a viral TikTok video and widespread praise from the community.
- The company’s CEO and chief people officer publicly supported the couple and restored the holiday party.
The story shows how a small act of generosity can ripple through a workplace and a community, turning a canceled celebration into a gift that will help a family grow.
