Four local police departments received customized Coca-Cola bottles, all with a personalized note for each department.
The "Share a Coke" labels came tailored to the police departments of Omaha, La Vista, Ralston, and Papillion.
Coca-Cola says the act of kindness was inspired by an employee, who wanted to show appreciation to police amidst nationwide tension.
Huge thanks to @CocaCola - Chesterman's for showing your support. Now do we drink or cherish?! #ourcommunityROCKS! pic.twitter.com/Ub1oVJGk6K
— Papillion Police (@papillionpolice) July 19, 2016
Thank you @CocaCola for the #ShareACoke with #OPD stash! The support is overwhelming and appreciated! pic.twitter.com/S9EXPwmjpp via OPDVaness
— Omaha Police Dept. (@OmahaPolice) July 19, 2016
"We recalled that particular campaign they did with the names on the bottles and that was really cool - you'd see your name or somebody's name so seeing the La Vista Police department logo on a coke bottle was really cool," says Captain Bryan Waugh. "It was kind of a really nice surprise for all of us."
"We didn't know until we saw them that they had a message on them that said "Share a Coke with Ralston Police Department, thank for your service."
Thanks @CocaCola for the personalized Coke products! #supportblue #thankful pic.twitter.com/NM4ro3GplZ
— Ronald Murtaugh (@ChiefMurtaugh) July 19, 2016
Pretty amazing gesture of support by @CocaCola Thank you isn't enough. #ShareaCoke pic.twitter.com/gfoLyyLYEw
— La Vista Police (@lavistapolice) July 19, 2016
"It's right on the bottle. It's a very nice gesture from them," says Deputy Chief Marc Leonardo.
The personalized Coke bottles are not part of a national campaign, says Coca-Cola. It was a one-time gesture for local police departments.
So far, they're the only police departments in the country to receive the customized coke bottles.
"With everything that's been going on nationwide, to show that they're supporting the police department and our community, it's very touching," says Leonardo.
Now the four police departments are sharing more than just a Coke.
"I've got mine on my desk and I'm certain most of us are going to save that as a token of appreciation," says Waugh.
“There's so much support in this town," adds Leonardo. "It's just something special to work in this area that you get so much support from the community."
