MONTGOMERY, OH (FOX19) - Gold Star Chili will host a reception at its Montgomery Road location in Montgomery Friday for Blue Ash native PFC Paul Virgil Kelley and 30 of his friends and family.  PFC Kelley surprised his family by returning home for a visit on Christmas Day after a 12-month tour of duty in Afghanistan. 

Kelley is a 2001 graduate from Goshen High School.  He joined the Army in December of 2009 and after completing basic training in April 2010 in Fort Jackson, SC, continued with Advanced Individual Training at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.  He was then stationed at Fort Hood, TX and immediately deployed to Afghanistan for 12 months with the 8th Engineering Battalion, 572nd MAC, where he was responsible for vehicle maintenance in a route clearance company.

(FOX19) - Papa John's announced that it is partnering with the USO to lift the spirits of America's troops and their families by donating $1 for every online order at http://www.papajohns.com on Veterans Day, November 11, between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m.

"Supporting the men and women who serve and protect our country - and their families - is a great way to say thanks, which is what November is all about," said John Schnatter, Papa John's International, Inc. Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, who was born on Thanksgiving Day. "Partnering with the USO will allow our Papa John's family and customers to give back and join the USO mission to lift the spirits of the U.S.

COLUMBUS, OH - October is National Cookie Month, but Max & Erma’s in Cincinnati has already started celebrating. Starting this past evening and every Wednesday until an unknown date in the future, guests can enjoy free chocolate chip cookies. The special will end when they get tired of baking or run out of cookie dough; Max & Erma’s goal is to give away one million cookies by the end of the year. 

Guests who purchase any food item at participating restaurants, including appetizers, salads, sandwiches, entrees and desserts, will receive two of Erma’s famous chocolate chip cookies for free. Max & Erma’s started Free Cookie Wednesdays in Pittsburgh in January.