A viral TikTok video turned a Naples, Florida, First Watch holiday party into a heartfelt charity moment.
The TikTok Announcement
First Watch’s holiday spirit was captured on TikTok by employee Heidi Paniagua. In the clip, general manager Brandon Newton announces the cancellation of the holiday party. “So, something came to light,” Newton says as employee Norman Vales hops into frame and makes a comically chipper pose. “We are unable to have a holiday party this year. Sorry, something more important came up.”
Team Reaction
The staff appeared calm and even happy about the decision. Vales, still unaware of the real reason, waves in acceptance. When Newton explains the motive, the room erupts in cheers and applause. Vales becomes overwhelmed, leaving the room “to go cry,” according to Newton.
Viral Spread
The clip quickly amassed millions of views and thousands of comments. A comment from @dream_g1rlxx read: “Our coworker Norman & his wife are adopting a beautiful baby girl & we decided as a team to donate to them both. Never seen this man cry before, cue the waterworks 🥹 love you so much normie 🫶🏼 ♬ original sound – dream_g1rlxx.” Other comments praised Norman’s journey, noting, “That baby is going to have the best parents,” and “God bless you Norman. You can tell youre the coworker everyone needs.”
Norman’s Adoption Journey
Norman and his wife Alicia have struggled to have a baby for years and decided to adopt. They recently connected with a one-year-old girl in Honduras who is available for adoption. The couple has submitted affidavits to the Honduran government, and international adoption requires two separate trips to Honduras.
GoFundMe and Financial Struggles
To help cover additional adoption costs, Norman and Alicia launched a GoFundMe. The fundraiser has raised $3,445 of its $4,000 goal. In an update, the Valeses said their “savings are gone” and “loans were denied.”
Family’s Gratitude
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.” She added, “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.”
Company Leadership
Laura Sorensen, chief people officer at First Watch, expressed pride in the Naples team. “Norman and Alicia’s story has touched the hearts of so many,” Sorensen told TODAY.com. She continued, “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.”
CEO’s Message
On Dec. 17, First Watch CEO Chris Tomasso recorded a special message for the Naples team. “Hey Logan Landings team, we saw your video and are so inspired by you,” Tomasso said. He promised that the office would replenish the holiday party budget and that the team would “have a great time celebrating with each other.” He added, “We also plan on giving something special to Norman.” “We know you’re gonna be a great dad,” he said. “Happy holidays, everybody.”
Holiday Party Rescued
Following Tomasso’s message, the holiday party was saved. The company confirmed that it would provide the previously allocated budget and that Norman would receive a special gift. Employees celebrated the decision, and the team’s generosity continued to shine.
Key Takeaways
- First Watch canceled its holiday party to donate funds to employee Norman Vales and his wife who are adopting a baby girl.
- The gesture went viral on TikTok, generating millions of views and widespread praise.
- The company’s leadership, from the general manager to the CEO, publicly supported the donation and ensured the holiday celebration went on.
The story, first reported by TODAY.com, highlights how a workplace can transform a planned event into an act of compassion, resonating far beyond the kitchen of a Naples restaurant.
