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In recognition of his philanthropic efforts through WinShape, Cathy received the Children's Champion Award for Family and Community from the charitable organization [[Children's Hunger Fund]] in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.childrenshungerfund.org/resonate|title=Relive the Night|publisher=Childrenshungerfund.org|date=2011-04-16|accessdate=2011-12-02}}</ref>
In recognition of his philanthropic efforts through WinShape, Cathy received the Children's Champion Award for Family and Community from the charitable organization [[Children's Hunger Fund]] in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.childrenshungerfund.org/resonate|title=Relive the Night|publisher=Childrenshungerfund.org|date=2011-04-16|accessdate=2011-12-02}}</ref>


Since 2003, WinShape has donated over $5 million to anti-gay groups including the Marriage & Family Foundation, [[Exodus International]] and the [[Family Research Council]] which strongly oppose same sex marriage and other initiatives supported by the [[LGBT]] community.<ref name="SaltLakeTribune">{{cite news|url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/52888536-78/gay-chick-family-fil.html.csp|title=Sugar House protesters say Chick-fil-A is anti-gay|first=Rosemary|last=Winters|date=November 10, 2011|work=[[The Salt Lake Tribune]]}}</ref><ref name="HuffPost">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/01/chick-fil-a-donated-anti-gay-groups-2009_n_1069429.html|title=Chick-Fil-A Fast Food Chain Donated Nearly $2 Million To Anti-Gay Groups In 2009|date=November 1, 2011|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|first=Noah|last=Michelson}}</ref><ref name="Insider">{{cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-how-much-money-chick-fil-a-gives-to-anti-gay-groups-2012-7|title=Here's How Much Money Chick-fil-A Gives To Groups|first1=Jim|last1=Edwards|work=[[Business Insider]]|date=July 5, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Post">{{cite news|title=Chick-Fil-A's Anti-Gay Donations Totaled Nearly $2 Million In 2010: Report|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/02/chick-fil-a-anti-gay-group-donations-_n_1644609.html|publisher=The Huffington Post|accessdate=July 5, 2012|first=Curtis|last=Wong|date=July 2, 2012}}</ref>
Since 2003, WinShape has donated over $5 million to groups including the Marriage & Family Foundation, [[Exodus International]] and the [[Family Research Council]] which oppose same sex marriage and other initiatives supported by the [[LGBT]] community.<ref name="SaltLakeTribune">{{cite news|url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/52888536-78/gay-chick-family-fil.html.csp|title=Sugar House protesters say Chick-fil-A is anti-gay|first=Rosemary|last=Winters|date=November 10, 2011|work=[[The Salt Lake Tribune]]}}</ref><ref name="HuffPost">{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/01/chick-fil-a-donated-anti-gay-groups-2009_n_1069429.html|title=Chick-Fil-A Fast Food Chain Donated Nearly $2 Million To Anti-Gay Groups In 2009|date=November 1, 2011|work=[[The Huffington Post]]|first=Noah|last=Michelson}}</ref><ref name="Insider">{{cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/heres-how-much-money-chick-fil-a-gives-to-anti-gay-groups-2012-7|title=Here's How Much Money Chick-fil-A Gives To Groups|first1=Jim|last1=Edwards|work=[[Business Insider]]|date=July 5, 2012}}</ref><ref name="Post">{{cite news|title=Chick-Fil-A's Anti-Gay Donations Totaled Nearly $2 Million In 2010: Report|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/02/chick-fil-a-anti-gay-group-donations-_n_1644609.html|publisher=The Huffington Post|accessdate=July 5, 2012|first=Curtis|last=Wong|date=July 2, 2012}}</ref>


==Honors and memberships==
==Honors and memberships==

Revision as of 02:18, 9 September 2014

S. Truett Cathy
Born
Samuel Truett Cathy

(1921-03-14)March 14, 1921
Eatonton, Georgia, U.S.
DiedSeptember 8, 2014(2014-09-08) (aged 93)
Clayton County, Georgia, U.S.
CitizenshipUnited States
Known forFounder of Chick-fil-A
Spouse
Jeannette (McNeil) Cathy[1]
​
​
(m. 1948; invalid reason 2014)​
ChildrenTrudy
Don
Dan
Websitewww.truettcathy.com

Samuel Truett Cathy (March 14, 1921 – September 8, 2014), known as S. Truett Cathy, was the founder of Chick-fil-A, an American fast food restaurant chain based in the Atlanta suburb of College Park, Georgia.

Early life

Cathy was born in Eatonton, Georgia, in 1921. He attended Boys High School, now Grady High School, in Atlanta. He served in the United States Army during World War II. Cathy began the chain in the Atlanta suburb of Hapeville in 1946 with a restaurant called the Dwarf Grill, named because of its small size. It was there that he, along with his brother and business partner, Ben, created the chicken sandwich that later became the signature menu item for Chick-fil-A. The original restaurant, since renamed Dwarf House, is still in operation, and the company operates other Dwarf House locations in the metro Atlanta area. He married Jeanette and had three children: Trudy, Don ("Bubba"), and Dan.[3]

Career

Cathy was a member of the First Baptist Church in Jonesboro, Georgia, and taught Sunday School there for more than 50 years. He said that the Bible is his guide-book for life.[4] Due to his strong religious beliefs, all of the company's locations, whether company-owned or franchised, are closed on Sundays to allow its employees to attend church and spend time with their families.[5] This policy began when Cathy was working six days a week, multiple shifts. He decided to close on Sundays.[4]

Cathy wrote five books: the autobiography Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People, a motivational book entitled It's Easier to Succeed Than to Fail, the parenting book It's Better to Build Boys Than Mend Men, an explanation of his business success in How Did You Do It, Truett?, and a final book on the significance of money in today's society titled Wealth, Is It Worth It?. He also contributed to the anthology Conversations on Success and co-wrote with Ken Blanchard Generosity Factor: Discover the Joy of Giving Your Time, Talent, and Treasure. A portion of Jonesboro and McDonough Roads in Henry, and Clayton counties, respectively, are named in his honor. Cathy said that the motivational book Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill was one of the greatest foundations for inspiration growing up.[6]

In April 2008, he opened a new restaurant, Upscale Pizza, in Fayetteville, Georgia.[7] The menu features pizza, hot dogs, sandwiches and milkshakes.

In November 2013, he retired as both chairman and CEO of Chick-fil-A, leaving his son, Dan Cathy, to assume the roles.[8]

Death

S. Truett Cathy died at home surrounded by family members at 1:35 a.m on September 8, 2014 of natural causes at the age of 93. The family has plans to hold a public funeral service on Wednesday, September 10, at 2 P.M. at First Baptist Jonesboro in Jonesboro, Georgia. [9][10][11][12]

Philanthropy and political contributions

Cathy dedicated his time and resources to many philanthropic causes, focusing on those related to the welfare of needy children. He reportedly welcomed homeless children into his home and taught in Sunday school sessions.

Cathy was closely involved with the sponsorship of the college football bowl game now known as the Chick-fil-A Bowl, but from 1997-2005 known as the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and prior to that simply as the Peach Bowl. On October 28, 2006, Cathy received the last vehicle off the assembly line of Ford's Atlanta plant, in recognition of a 60-year relationship between him and the plant. The plant, located near Cathy's original Dwarf Grill (now Dwarf House), opened one year after the restaurant opened, and Truett regularly served during all three shifts at the plant.

Summer camp for girls at Berry College

Cathy had a Leadership Scholarship program for Chick-fil-A restaurant employees, which has awarded more than $23 million in $1,000 scholarships in the past 35 years.[13]

In 1984, Cathy established the WinShape Foundation, named for its mission to shape winners. WinShape Foundation consists of WinShape Homes, WinShape RetreatSM, WinShape MarriageSM, WinShape Camps, WinShape, College Program, WinShape Wilderness and WinShape International. In 2010, the foundation provided roughly $18 million to fund the development of foster homes and summer camp. Past donations from the WinShape Foundation include the funding of several college scholarships and marriage counseling programs. The foundation has awarded nearly 820 students of Berry College with scholarships of up to $32,000.[14][13]

He fostered children for over 30 years, and took in nearly 200 foster children through WinShape Homes. WinShape Homes is a long-term foster care program that includes 11 foster homes throughout Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee.[14][13]

In 2008, Cathy's WinShape Foundation won the William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic leadership which awarded it $250,000 towards future philanthropy, as a result of its contributions to society. The prize was created to further ideals such as personal responsibility, resourcefulness, volunteerism, scholarship, individual freedom, faith in God, and helping people who help themselves. It honors living philanthropists who have shown exemplary leadership through their charitable giving, highlights the power of philanthropy to achieve positive change, and seeks to inspire others to support charities that achieve genuine results.[14][13]

In recognition of his philanthropic efforts through WinShape, Cathy received the Children's Champion Award for Family and Community from the charitable organization Children's Hunger Fund in 2011.[15]

Since 2003, WinShape has donated over $5 million to groups including the Marriage & Family Foundation, Exodus International and the Family Research Council which oppose same sex marriage and other initiatives supported by the LGBT community.[16][17][18][19]

Honors and memberships

President George W. Bush stands with Truett Cathy after he received the Lifetime President's Volunteer Service Award at the White House

Cathy received numerous honors, including membership in Omicron Delta Kappa (OΔK), the National Leadership Honor Society. He received OΔK's highest award, the Laurel Crowned Circle Award in 2009. He also received the Norman Vincent and Ruth Stafford Peale Humanitarian Award, the Horatio Alger Award, the William E. Simon Prize for Philanthropic Leadership, and the Boy Scouts of America Silver Buffalo Award. Cathy was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 2003.[20][21]

He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Pi Fraternities.[22]

In 2007, Forbes magazine ranked Cathy as the 380th richest man in America and the 799th richest man in the world, with an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion.[23][24]

President George W. Bush bestowed the President's Call to Service Award on Cathy in 2008.[25]

Cathy was inducted into the Indiana Wesleyan University Society of World Changers on April 3, 2011. In addition to being inducted into the Society, the university also conferred upon Cathy an honorary doctorate of business. In May 2012, Cathy received an honorary doctorate along with presidential candidate Mitt Romney at the Liberty University's spring commencement ceremony. In his remarks, Romney, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee at the time, said, "The Romney campaign comes to a sudden stop when we spot a Chick-fil-A. Your chicken sandwiches were our comfort food through the primary season, and heaven knows there were days that we needed a lot of comfort." Romney congratulated Cathy on his "well-deserved honor today".[26]

Publications

  • Cathy, S. Truett (2010), Wealth, Is It Worth It?, Looking Glass Books, ISBN 1929619405
  • Cathy, S. Truett (2007), How Did You Do It, Truett?: A Recipe for Success, Looking Glass Press, ISBN 1929619332 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
  • Cathy, S. Truett (2004), It's Better to Build Boys Than Mend Men, Looking Glass Books, ISBN 1929619200 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
  • Cathy, S. Truett (2002), Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People, Looking Glass Books, ISBN 1-929619-08-1 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)
  • Cathy, S. Truett (1989), It's Easier to Succeed Than to Fail, Thomas Nelson Inc., ISBN 0840790309 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |authormask= ignored (|author-mask= suggested) (help)

References

  1. ^ Wolfe, Julie (September 8, 2014). "Chick-fil-A founder Truett Cathy dies at 93". WXIA. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  2. ^ "The World's Billionaires (2012): #960 S. Truett Cathy". Forbes. September 1, 2012.
  3. ^ The Cathy Family. "Cathy Family website". Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  4. ^ a b Cathy, S. Truett, It's Easier To Succeed Than Fail, Oliver-Nelson Books (1989); ISBN 0-8407-9030-9.
  5. ^ "Chick-fil-A's Closed-on-Sunday Policy" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-12-02.
  6. ^ Cathy, S. Truett Eat Mor Chikin: Inspire More People, 2002. Looking Glass Books; ISBN 1-929619-08-1.
  7. ^ Guy Collier, Joe (2008-04-25). "Chick-fil-A founder opens pizza restaurant". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on Feburary 4, 2009. Retrieved 2011-12-02. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |archivedate= (help)
  8. ^ "Chick-Fil-A Founder Retiring As CEO, Chairman". CBS Atlanta. Associated Press. November 7, 2013.
  9. ^ "Chick-Fil-A Founder S. Truett Cathy Has Died". ABC News. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  10. ^ "Death of S.T. Cathy". ABC News. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  11. ^ "S. Truett Cathy In Memoriam". CFA Properties Inc. September 8, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  12. ^ "Truett Cathy Obituary" (PDF). The Cathy Family. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  13. ^ a b c d "2008 Simon Prize Recipient". Philanthropy Roundtable. Archived from the original on Sep 27 2011. Retrieved December 21, 2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |archivedate= (help)
  14. ^ a b c "Samuel Truett Cathy Philanthropy". Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  15. ^ "Relive the Night". Childrenshungerfund.org. 2011-04-16. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
  16. ^ Winters, Rosemary (November 10, 2011). "Sugar House protesters say Chick-fil-A is anti-gay". The Salt Lake Tribune.
  17. ^ Michelson, Noah (November 1, 2011). "Chick-Fil-A Fast Food Chain Donated Nearly $2 Million To Anti-Gay Groups In 2009". The Huffington Post.
  18. ^ Edwards, Jim (July 5, 2012). "Here's How Much Money Chick-fil-A Gives To Groups". Business Insider.
  19. ^ Wong, Curtis (July 2, 2012). "Chick-Fil-A's Anti-Gay Donations Totaled Nearly $2 Million In 2010: Report". The Huffington Post. Retrieved July 5, 2012.
  20. ^ "Chick-fil-A Founder to Receive Award for Service to Youth". The Weekly Online!. 2007-05-25. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved 2011-12-02.
  21. ^ "Silver Buffalo Awards". Scouting: 37. September 2007. ISSN 0036-9500. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  22. ^ "Prominent Pikes". pike.org. Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Retrieved September 8, 2014.
  23. ^ "Forbes 400 Richest Americans (2007): #380 S Truett Cathy". Forbes. September 20, 2007. Net worth: $1.3 billion
  24. ^ "The World's Billionaires (2007): #799 S Truett Cathy". Forbes. March 9, 2007. Net worth: $4.5 billion
  25. ^ "S. Truett Cathy applauded by President Bush". Atlanta Business Chronicle. April 16, 2008. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
  26. ^ O'Connor, Clare, "Romney Speaks At Anti-Gay Liberty University Alongside Baptist Billionaire", Forbes blog, 5/12/2012. Retrieved 2012-05-12.

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