The Boys and Girls Club of Dane County will get some national attention — and CEO Michael Johnson got quite a surprise — thanks to a new marketing campaign from Culver’s.
The Prairie du Sac-based restaurant chain on Wednesday surprised Johnson with the announcement that he’s been chosen to receive the first-ever “Hero of the Community Award.”
Johnson went to what he thought would be a meeting with a donor, but was quickly surrounded by dozens of Boys and Girls Club members, his family, a professional film crew and Culver’s employees, including CEO Phil Keiser. And, of course, there was plenty of frozen custard to go around.
“They rode up on me like I won the lottery or something,” Johnson said. “My wife and my kids and my family were there. I was really surprised that they snuck that one by me.”
“I don’t like surprises,” he added with a smile.
Culver’s officials told Johnson that he’ll be featured in a commercial to air in 35 states beginning next month. To top it off, Culver’s made a $5,000 donation to help the BGC’s efforts to buy new vans.
Johnson is one of four “everyday heroes” being honored by Culver’s, said Culver’s Marketing Director Emily Patterson. The others are located in Illinois, Indiana and Texas. Each will be featured in their own commercial.
The commercial featuring Johnson will include footage shot at the Boys and Girls Club before the surprise announcement, as well as the moment of surprise.
“His passion for kids and his work with the Boys and Girls Club is what set him apart from the rest,” Patterson said. “We’re very, very excited to honor these everyday heroes.”
“I don’t really consider myself a hero,” Johnson said. “Real heroes are police officers and firefighters who put their lives on their line every day. I’m blessed to have a workforce of colleagues who are passionate about what we do. I really share this award with them. It’s humbling. It’s encouraging, to be honest. To have the owner of a major company to come to our little club and personally announce it was very encouraging.”
The commercial featuring Johnson will be available on Madison365 in June.
