LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A 104-year-old from Louisville is featured in a national A&W campaign celebrating centenarians.
To celebrate its 105th anniversary, A&W is giving out free root beer floats to people 100 years old or older.
While living to 100 is a celebration in itself, Louisvillian Hazel Calloway can also celebrate root beer floats for life, thanks to the new ad campaign.
Some might say the World War II veteran is now famous.
"Well, I don't feel that way," Calloway said.
While humble, she's also known for her positivity throughout her life.
"That's something you have to do, to keep going," Calloway said.
Calloway was born in 1920, and she was fresh out of high school when she and her sister volunteered for the military during World War II.
"My sister said I said 'Why don't we join the Army?'" Calloway said. "And I said, 'I don't remember saying that.'"
Calloway ultimately served in the U.S. Navy. First, as an air traffic controller, then she moved to a military supply store. During her service, she met a U.S. Marine named George.
"Before you know it, we got married," Calloway said.
The two made Kentucky their home. She was one of 15 children, so family has always been a priority. The walls of her apartment are decorated with familiar faces, even as her family has continued to grow.
"I'm just amazed I'm here," Calloway said. "I'm still here."
To celebrate 105 years of A&W, we're giving free Root Beer Floats to everyone over 100. For life. And free birthday floats to anyone, of any age, who joins Rooty’s Mug Club. 🎂
— A&W Restaurants (@awrestaurants) June 11, 2024
Get all the details: https://t.co/x8OIMHQS1R pic.twitter.com/9Kw99W05Cd
Calloway has outlived all her siblings, and her husband died when she was only 60. She survived breast cancer at the age of 77. Her family also grieved the death of one her youngest sons, George Spencer Calloway. He died of cancer at 46 years old.
Calloway said she's experienced a lot of unexpected trials as she has aged.
"You got to be brave, I think, to face what you have to face," Calloway said.
Now at 104, she's still able to exercise, mostly walking. Her biggest health setbacks are limited hearing and vision, due to macular degeneration. She is able to receive injections to help her eyesight, but mostly relies on magnifying glasses to be able to see. She also wears hearing aids.
She said she couldn't have lived such a fruitful life without her loving and doting family.
"Have a grateful heart and don't forget to pray," she said.
And for her part in the new A&W promotion? She loves root beer floats and recommends others go out and try them!
The national advertising also features 100-year-old Glendell Bennett, who like Calloway, is a World War II veteran.
A&W wanted to celebrate its fans who have been supporting the restaurant since it was established in 1919. Bennett and Calloway are seen with famous "granfluencer" Baddiewinkle in the advertisements.
"We love our fans of all ages," Liz Bazner, Vice President of Marketing & Innovation for A&W Restaurants said in a news release. "But there are around 108,000 centenarians in the U.S. that brands overlook. These are people that have been with A&W since the beginning. We wouldn't have survived the last century without them, so we wanted to show our immense appreciation with something special just for them."
All A&Ws in the United States offer the free small root beer floats for anyone over 100. The offer is available each week. The promotion started in June.
If you aren't 100 years old, the company also offers free floats for people on their birthday.
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