The provided source material details temporary promotional offers and community initiatives in Michigan tied to specific events, namely the 2018-2019 government shutdown and Election Day. These offers provided relief or incentives to affected groups, such as furloughed federal workers and voters, through free meals, services, and entertainment. The sources also include an investigative report on lobbying activities and freebies provided to Michigan lawmakers, though this focuses on political ethics rather than consumer offers. The following article summarizes the specific freebies and perks documented in these sources.
Government Shutdown Relief Offers
During the partial government shutdown in late 2018 and early 2019, several Michigan businesses and institutions extended free services and products to federal employees who were furloughed or working without pay. These offers generally required proof of employment status, such as a valid government ID.
Dining and Food Options
Restaurants offered free meals to help alleviate the financial strain on workers. The Blue Nile Ethiopian restaurant in Ferndale provided free meals to 14 furloughed federal workers per day on a first-come, first-served basis. To secure a meal, interested workers were required to send a private message with their name and phone number to the restaurant's Facebook page. Upon receipt, the restaurant contacted the individual with a discreet confirmation message to ensure privacy upon arrival.
In Clarkston, Planet Sub offered one complimentary half sub to furloughed employees, limited to one per customer. This offer required the presentation of a valid government photo ID.
Healthcare Services
Beaumont Health announced it would waive emergency center and urgent care copays and deductibles for federal workers who were furloughed or working without pay. This waiver also applied to the insured family members of these employees. The offer was retroactive to midnight on December 22, 2018, and remained in effect until the government reopened.
Entertainment and Recreation
Several entertainment venues provided free access to help families cope with the shutdown. Eastern Michigan University (EMU) Athletics offered free tickets to furloughed government workers for home games, starting with the men's basketball game against Bowling Green. Tickets were available at the EMU Athletics Ticket Office.
The Harlem Globetrotters offered free tickets to all U.S. government employees affected by the shutdown. Furloughed workers could show a valid government ID at the box office to receive two complimentary tickets to any game in North America. This offer was valid for the duration of the shutdown.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park offered free 60-minute jump sessions to federal government employees who were furloughed or working without pay, along with up to three family members. The offer was valid every Tuesday through Thursday until January 31 at the Canton and Shelby Township locations. Employees were required to present valid government identification.
Election Day Perks
On Election Day, various Michigan businesses offered freebies to individuals who showed an "I Voted" sticker. These offers ranged from food to museum admission.
Food and Beverage
Shake Shack offered a free order of crinkle-cut fries with any order on Election Day. Customers could show their "I Voted" sticker in-store or use the code "ivoted" on the Shack App.
Potbelly provided a free cookie to customers who made a purchase while wearing an "I Voted" sticker.
Anthology, a coffee shop in Corktown, handed out 8-ounce cups of coffee to those wearing an "I Voted" sticker.
Local and Cultural Offers
Brooklyn Street Local, a brunch spot in Corktown, offered free vegan cupcakes to voters.
The Henry Ford Museum allowed visitors to enter gratis on Election Day.
Context on Lobbying and Freebies
While the primary focus of the provided material is on consumer and community offers, one source includes an investigative report on the tracking of freebies provided to Michigan lawmakers by lobbyists. This report highlights the scale of lobbying expenditures and the mechanisms of influence, though it does not pertain to consumer product samples or trials.
Between 2001 and 2023, lobbyists spent more than $6.3 million on state lawmakers and officials, covering meals and trips. The system for tracking these freebies was described as flawed, relying on the honor system and containing loopholes, making it difficult to determine the exact value of freebies accepted by officials.
The investigation identified the "Top 25 Takers," who each accepted more than $16,000 in freebies. Former state Sen. Rebekah Warren ranked second, accepting 129 meals and trips totaling over $39,000 during her 14 years in the Legislature. Former Sen. John Richardville, who ranked first, accepted a range of freebies from $6.50 meals to $5,648 for travel and lodging at a conference where he was a speaker.
Lobbyists and lawmakers interviewed for the report suggested that these interactions were primarily about building relationships and exchanging information rather than explicit vote-buying. Former lobbyist Barb Farrah stated, "It’s absolutely not true" that lawmakers' votes are for sale, describing interactions as often involving casual dining like Jimmy John's rather than fine dining. However, the report notes that many lawmakers declined to discuss their acceptance of freebies.
Conclusion
The provided sources document specific, time-bound freebies available to Michigan residents during the government shutdown and on Election Day. These included essential services like healthcare waivers, food assistance, and recreational access for furloughed workers, as well as consumer perks for voters. The sources also provide a broader context regarding lobbying activities in the state, highlighting the significant financial value of freebies provided to lawmakers, though this information falls outside the scope of consumer free samples and trials.