By Marjorie Gottlieb Wolfe
Syosset, New York
I got my Moderna COVID-19 shots in Riverhead, Long Island. Thank God I had no reaction…or I would have consumed “tshikken zup” (chicken soup), the miracle drug. Little did I know at that time that so many companies were offering FREE GIFTS. Look at what’s available:
Nathan’s Hot Dogs
If you visit Nathan’s Famous in Coney Island with your vaccination card—on the same day you got vaccinated you get a FREE HOT DOG. (Note: A hot dog at the Coney Island location costs $4.75 on non-throwback days.)
Junior’s (Flatbush Ave. and DeKalb, B’klyn)
Junior’s is known as The World’s Most Fabulous Cheesecake. They offer a FREE MINI CHEESE-CAKE or cupcake-sized cheesecake to those who show proof that they’ve been vaccinated. Hurry; this offer is good only through Memorial Day. (Note: A full slice usually costs $6.95! Can’t drive to Brooklyn? Goldbelly will mail you a Junior’s Mini Cheesecake sampler, 18-pack— for $84.95.)
Krispy Kreme
Starting in March, Krispy Kreme wrote: “be sweet to my community.” They offered a FREE Original Glazed doughnut with proof that you received a COVID-19 vaccine. And now they face backlash! One doctor pointed out that eating a donut a day could lead to a 15-lb. weight gain over the course of a year!
White Castle
WC offers a FREE slice of birthday cake on a stick, a menu item known to the chain’s fans as “Dessert On-A-Stick.” (This is good only until the end of May.)
Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds (LMB) offers discounted tickets to upcoming Reds’ weekday games for just $10. Just show your vaccine cards at the box office.
Talladegg Superspeedway
The Talladegg Superspeedway is offering FREE laps to those who received their COVID-19 vaccine on site. Yes, you can drive YOUR CAR or truck around the track twice for FREE.
NFL
NFL is providing 50 FREE Super Bowl LVI tickets to vaccinated fans. (The Super Bowl will be in Feb. 2022.)
Public’s Supermarkets
Public's is giving a $125 gift card to every employee who gets vaccinated.
Up-Down Up-Down
Up-Down Up-Down, a Minneapolis arcade, will give fully vaccinated customers 20 FREE TOKENS throughout the end of the summer.
Everson Museum
Everson Museum in Syracuse offers FREE ADMISSION (through May 31) to those who have been vaccinated.
Free Savings Bonds
In West Virginia, $100 savings bonds are given to young adults who get their shots.
Budweiser
Budweiser joined Samuel Adams in offering vaccinated individuals a FREE beer. Budweiser’s ad: YOUR FIRST ROUND’S ON US IF YOU’VE BEEN VACCINATED. They’re giving away 10,000 FREE beers. (Note: They skipped a Super Bowl commercial this year to put money towards promoting vaccinations.)
John Hancock
John Hancock—the insurance people—offer vaccinated people 400 reward points when they join their Vitality rewards program.
Dollar General
Dollar General is offering four paid hours for employees so they can get vaccinated.
Starbucks
Within 48 hours of receiving each dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, up to two doses, you are eligible to receive one free food item and one partner beverage. (Try the Iced Cinnamon Almond Milk Macchiato!)
Junior’s
Junior’s—in downtown Brooklyn—offered a FREE mini cheese-cake or cupcake-sized cheesecakes. This offer is good through Memorial Day.
Staples
Staples offered to laminate a vaccine card for free. Sorry: This offer ended on May 1.
Office Depot and OfficeMax
Both stores will laminate your vaccination cards for FREE through July 25.
Gift Cards At Starbucks
At the Univ. of North Carolina at Greensboro, students who upload a copy of their vaccination card (through April 28) received a gift certificate for a drink at the Starbucks on campus.
Free Summer Course
Danville Area Comm. College in Illinois, will allow students to take any summer course for FREE if they prove they’ve been vaccinated. (Will they select a course similar to “Tightwaddery, Or the Good Life on a Dollar a Day,” which was offered at Alfred University?)
Goat Yoga Classes
SORRY, Goat Yoga classes are NOT offering anything FREE. YOGA instructors (vaccinated or not) agree that goats are the perfect companions for Yoga participants... but you have to pay to participate!
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Marjorie Gottlieb Wolfe’s favorite quote: “I don’t care how much money you have, free stuff is always a good thing.”