Taylor Blackman, acting junior, started a surprise GoFundMe campaign for Willie Butler, weekend campus cook.
“I made this account in the hopes to be able to help him out and give back to him, since he’s given us so much,” Blackman said. “Willie is an emblem at Oklahoma City University.”
GoFundMe is a fundraising site designed to let users collect money online for personal causes. Blackman’s campaign, titled “Give Willie the World” opened Sept. 19, with a fundraising goal of $5,000. The link was shared 334 times, and donations totaled $925 as of Oct. 3. Most of the donations are $10 to $30.
Butler has worked on the Sodexo staff at OCU for nine years. Before going into the food industry, he served 12 years in the military. He was deployed to Saudi Arabia and Germany and still suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The students at OCU make it better, Butler said.
Butler is known for his special deviations from the brunch menu, especially with his pancakes. He often creates new flavors and takes suggestions from students. He also plans special celebrations in the caf for holidays like Valentine’s Day.
“When I started, I just did fancy pancakes for the ladies,” Butler said. “Then I met a good group of guys who made me want to do it for them too. I keep an eye on the students while they’re away from their parents.”
Students say Butler keeps them in line, at the grill and in life.
“Willie always treats the ladies just right,” said Matt Tuley, acting freshman. “He also calls us out if we’re not doing that.”
A group of athletes acted aggressively and rudely toward the cooks earlier this month, Butler said.
“I almost stopped making pancakes because when they say ’gimme gimme gimme’ in a certain tone, I don’t want to serve them,” he said. “We’re being polite and we’d like respect in return.”
Butler continued serving pancakes because he did not want to punish everyone for the actions of a few students, he said. The athletes later apologized for any hurt feelings.
“I’ve overlooked that weekend because I know nobody means to be rude,” Butler said. “We’re a family. If we don’t appreciate each other, what do we have?”
Butler spends time with his OCU family outside of the caf as well. During Gamma Phi Beta’s Pancake Palooza, he served pancakes for a two-hour shift. He will help Phi Mu by serving scramblers (small omelets) during their philanthropy week. He also is working with the Student Activities Council to create a Stress Relief Week prize that allows a student to choose the pancake flavor of the month and cut to the front of his brunch line for a weekend.
Blackman asks that students keep the campaign a secret from Butler. He plans to present Butler with the money at the beginning of November.
To donate toward Butler’s GoFundMe account, visit gofundme.com/2pxnvn0.
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