Heather Levia, a single mother who works in New York, wanted to show her appreciation for two groups of firefighters who were working in sub-zero temperatures.
When the teams arrived at the fast food chain and ordered 25 sandwiches - Levia took $83 out of her wallet to pay for it herself.
Later that morning however, another team of firefighters came into the chain and Levia texted her boss to see if she was allowed to give them their food free of charge. She was told she couldn't, even though the company often gave police officers their meals for free.
Despite being told the company would not foot the bill, Levia and another worker paid for the meals out of their own pockets.
However, when Levia returned to work the next day, she was fired, after her boss claimed she swore at a superior.
The owner of the Olean, New York McDonald's said the company did support local first responders, and that the allegations that Levia was fired for what she did 'are absolutely not true.'
Levia, who had worked for the company for 8 years, and was using the money to put herself through nursing school, has said she's put the ordeal behind her and has already received several job offers.
'I wish the communities would change and help each other out…And if losing my job is going to speak out to the community, then that's what it's going to do.'