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June 29, 2010 – Green Bay Taco Bell Advertising Association will host hundreds of kids and family members from local Boys & Girls Clubs for Taco Bell Night at Time Warner Cable Field when the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers take on the Burlington Bees at 6:35 PM, Saturday, July 10, 2010. Taco Bell will also provide t-shirts and an in-game offer.
This is the second annual Taco Bell Night at Time Warner Cable Field where Green Bay area Taco Bell has taken its own initiative to make local contributions to the local Boys & Girls Clubs. Nationally, Taco Bell and Boys & Girls Clubs of America have had a long-standing relationship contributing to the educational and emotional enrichment of kids all over the nation.
Rich Lepping, a key operator for Green Bay Taco Bell said, "We're thrilled to continue creating opportunities in our stores and for our customers to engage with this important organization. Boys & Girls Clubs are well-known for their after school programming and their services are vital for the success of our youth in Green Bay."
According to John Benberg, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay, the Taco Bell relationship is a win-win proposition. "Taco Bell understands the importance of investing in young people—they are customers and some could be employees or even franchise owners in the future—so helping kids is also good business."
The Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay (BGCGB) believes every child deserves to be in an environment that brings out the best in them, offering over 100 programs a year that develop and promote healthy lifestyles, academic success, and character & leadership. For more information on the BGCGB visit www.bgcgb.org.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley operates seven full-service sites and serves over 12,500 children and youth annually. With a newly renovated and expanded headquarters at 160 South Badger Avenue near downtown Appleton, the organization provides a diverse array of youth development programs and activities as well as a number of intervention and counseling services through its unique Youth Resource Center.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley emphasizes positive values in the relationships members have with each other. According to Greg Lemke-Rochon, Chief Professional Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley, "Forward thinking companies like Taco Bell understand the critical role Clubs can play in securing a brighter future for us all and we're so grateful for all they've done over these many years and continue to do. Taco Bell's support helps us give young people, especially those who need us most, hope and opportunity. Our kids are really looking forward to this event!"
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Pete Lyders, owner of 105 Taco Bell's throughout Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois, has vowed to help. Pete's franchisee group has partnered with 12 Humane Society's throughout Michigan to raise money for local shelters.
Each Humane Society designed a canister that was placed in the respective local Taco Bell's to collect donations from customers. Pete's ad agency, ESW Partners in Chicago, donated an in-store poster, asking Taco Bell customers to make a donation.
Pete and his Taco Bell franchisees have promised to match all the donations at year's end.
"Helping to take care of neglected animals is something that makes the entire community feel good, especially in bad times, said Pete Lyders. "We're happy to be able to give something back in this way."
There are currently 12 Humane Society's participating in this fundraiser, being supported by the efforts of 53 Taco Bells. Shelters are not, in general supported by counties or other government agencies. Instead, they rely on donations, small fees for services and volunteers.
"Even donating your change after placing your order will help us provide care for the animals who so desperately need it," said Angela Stevenson of the Greater Hillsdale Humane Society. "Every little donation helps."
The program has been underway for over four months and over $4,500 has been raised.
It will continue through the year at all participating Taco Bells in Central Michigan.
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Sundance, a 107 unit Taco Bell franchisee based in Brighton, is conducting Benefit Nights for 7 Lansing area high schools from January through March. Proceeds raised from these events will provide financial support for each school’s sports programs. The Benefit Nights kicked off on January 19th and conclude March 2nd
For every Benefit Night held, the Taco Bell restaurant will be donating 10% of its gross, daily sales to the area high school that it is sponsoring.
“There’s quite a high concentration of Taco Bell customers and employees alike who are high school-aged” said Molly Trosko, a lead operator for Pete Lyders and his company, Sundance Inc. “there’s a huge correlation between our restaurants, the Taco Bell brand and local high school kids, so we’re doing things to support them and keep them top-of-mind.”
Similarly, Sundance and its employees continue on-going relationships with local Boys & Girls Clubs located near all of their restaurants across Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. This is something that Taco Bell Corporate commits to on a national level, as a key benefactor to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
To support a Lansing- area high school this winter, stop by any of the following Taco Bell Benefit Nights at Sundance Taco Bell restaurants at the below listed dates. Don’t forget to enjoy some dinner, too!
Sundance Inc. / Lansing Taco Bell Benefit Nights 2010
1/19/10 Hillsdale High School Benefit Night at 3321 W. Carleton Road in Hillsdale
1/19/10 JW Sexton High School Benefit Night at 4347 W. Saginaw Highway in Lansing
1/22/10 New Covenant High School Benefit Night at 2809 N East Street in Lansing
2/11/10 Okemos High School Benefit Night at 2307 Jolly Road in Okemos
2/16/10 Jonesville High School Benefit Night at 3321 W. Carleton Road in Hillsdale
2/19 Eastern High School Benefit Night at 601 E Grand River Ave in East Lansing
3/2/10 Lansing Catholic High School Benefit Night at 5634 S. Cedar in Lansing
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Stuff A Bus this Holiday Season
Chicago Taco Bell has teamed up with 103.5 KISS FM this holiday season to “Stuff A Bus” for the Salvation Army. People are encouraged to fill a school bus full of gently used coats, hats, and canned food for the Salvation Army. Taco Bell donated $ 4,560 directly to the Salvation Army to lend a helping hand.
Boys and Girls Club Grants
You may have noticed Boys and Girl Club canister collections in your Taco Bell. Money raised by company owned Taco Bell’s in the Chicago area was collected throughout the year and was donated to Boys and Girls Clubs in the area. Western Cook County and Northwest Indiana Clubs were awarded $17,000 in grants.
Northern IL Food Bank
Rockford Taco Bell gave a financial contribution, as well as a gift to the Northern IL Food Bank this holiday season. Using a local radio schedule, Rockford Taco Bell donated 15 second radio tags on several radio stations to encourage people in Rockford to help out Northern IL Food Bank. Learn more about Northern IL Food Bank by visiting www.northernilfoodbank.org
The local Taco Bell owners in Western Michigan will be collecting coats in almost 50 West Michigan Taco Bell restaurants to be donated to local Boys & Girls Clubs starting Monday, December 14th and lasting through Wednesday, December 23rd. West Michigan Taco Bell has committed to redeem one free combo meal per customer per visit if they donate a coat for the cause.
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Grand Rapids, MI: The local Taco Bell owners in Western Michigan continue their ongoing support of West Michigan youth by supporting local Boys & Girls Clubs with everything from nearly $170,000 in donations to hosting area teens at Michigan’s Adventure Water Park.
This is the second consecutive year, Grand Rapids - Kalamazoo Taco Bell restaurant owners, Tony Basile and Rodney Walker have hosted area teens at the popular Muskegon Amusement & Water Park. With an on-going partnership, Taco Bell understands the Boys & Girls Clubs (including Holland, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Battle Creek) to be vibrant local beneficiaries, equipping youth in West Michigan to be responsible adults and good citizens.
Since 2006, West Michigan Taco Bell restaurants have collected and donated $167,166 to local Boys & Girls Clubs and the partnership has grown more and more every year. This is part of a long time relationship between Taco Bell and the BGCA, as well as between franchisee Tony Basile and the Boys & Girls Club Organization. Basile, owner of Chicago Diversified Foods and 45 West Michigan area Taco Bell restaurants accredits a Boys & Girls Club (at that time, the Boys Club) at the Jane Addams Homes in Chicago for keeping him out of trouble as a young boy. Ever since, he has dedicated himself, his resources and his energy to benefit local clubs when possible. Basile was a significant contributor in starting the first Boys & Girls Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan and stays engaged in Club Youth of the Year contests and Club benefit dinners. Before Basile’s involvement, Grand Rapids had been the largest city in the United States without a Boys & Girls Club.
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holland Director, Andrew Page, said “On top of being a reliable contributor, Taco Bell always steps up to bat for Boys & Girls Clubs in West Michigan. Whenever we’ve got a need at the Club, Taco Bell always offers the help. Our kids were even welcomed to stop at one of Basile’s Taco Bell stores before the Michigan’s Adventure Field Trips this summer for complimentary lunch.”
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Chicago Taco Bell recently hosted a Restaurant General Manager’s Picnic at Indian Lakes Hilton in Bloomingdale, IL. The day was filled with recognition of manager accomplishments along with fun activities and even a visit from Bill Wennington and Benny the Bull. All in all, it was a fantastic day to see the restaurant managers from over 152 Taco Bell’s in the Chicagoland area come together to celebrate their hard work in the restaurants. A congratulations should go out all to all the Restaurant General Manager’s who received awards based on customer feedback. Thank you also to the customers who provide the feedback so our teams can improve on service for you!
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Taco Bell is proud to announce this year’s winner of the prestigious Glen Bell Award – RLC Enterprises, headquartered in Northbrook, IL. The Glen Bell Award is given to one franchisee who best exemplifies the qualities that Taco Bell’s founder, Glen Bell, brought to the Quick Service Restaurant business and that are found today in the entrepreneurial spirit of Taco Bell’s business partners. The award was presented to franchisee’s Iris Cohn and Terry Haseman of RLC Enterprises at the annual Taco Bell franchise convention in San Antonio, Texas.
RLC Enterprises, Inc was started in 1983 by Dick and Iris Cohn. RLC was the first franchise-owned Taco Bell in the Chicagoland area. Their first store was located in Mundelein, IL. Since their beginnings in 1983 RLC Enterprises, Inc now spans across 4 Midwest states including Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Michigan. RLC employs over 900 employees and owns 45 Taco Bells among other Yum! concepts.
Taco Bell is proud to have franchise operators like RLC Enterprises setting the standard for future achievement
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Grand Rapids, MI: The local Taco Bell owners in Western Michigan continue their ongoing support of West Michigan youth by supporting local Boys & Girls Clubs with everything from nearly $170,000 in donations to hosting area teens at Michigan’s Adventure Water Park.
This is the second consecutive year, Grand Rapids - Kalamazoo Taco Bell restaurant owners, Tony Basile and Rodney Walker have hosted area teens at the popular Muskegon Amusement & Water Park. With an on-going partnership, Taco Bell understands the Boys & Girls Clubs (including Holland, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Battle Creek) to be vibrant local beneficiaries, equipping youth in West Michigan to be responsible adults and good citizens.
Since 2006, West Michigan Taco Bell restaurants have collected and donated $167,166 to local Boys & Girls Clubs and the partnership has grown more and more every year. This is part of a long time relationship between Taco Bell and the BGCA, as well as between franchisee Tony Basile and the Boys & Girls Club Organization. Basile, owner of Chicago Diversified Foods and 45 West Michigan area Taco Bell restaurants accredits a Boys & Girls Club (at that time, the Boys Club) at the Jane Addams Homes in Chicago for keeping him out of trouble as a young boy. Ever since, he has dedicated himself, his resources and his energy to benefit local clubs when possible. Basile was a significant contributor in starting the first Boys & Girls Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan and stays engaged in Club Youth of the Year contests and Club benefit dinners. Before Basile’s involvement, Grand Rapids had been the largest city in the United States without a Boys & Girls Club.
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holland Director, Andrew Page, said “On top of being a reliable contributor, Taco Bell always steps up to bat for Boys & Girls Clubs in West Michigan. Whenever we’ve got a need at the Club, Taco Bell always offers the help. Our kids were even welcomed to stop at one of Basile’s Taco Bell stores before the Michigan’s Adventure Field Trips this summer for complimentary lunch.”
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Chicago Taco Bell recently hosted a Restaurant General Manager’s Picnic at Indian Lakes Hilton in Bloomingdale, IL. The day was filled with recognition of manager accomplishments along with fun activities and even a visit from Bill Wennington and Benny the Bull. All in all, it was a fantastic day to see the restaurant managers from over 152 Taco Bell’s in the Chicagoland area come together to celebrate their hard work in the restaurants. A congratulations should go out all to all the Restaurant General Manager’s who received awards based on customer feedback. Thank you also to the customers who provide the feedback so our teams can improve on service for you!
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July 3, 2009 – Green Bay and Appleton Taco Bell will host hundreds of kids and family members from area Boys & Girls Clubs for Taco Bell Night at Time Warner Cable Field when the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers take on West Michigan at 7:05 PM, Thursday, July 9, 2009. Taco Bell will also provide coupons, giveaways and entertainment.
This is the first annual Taco Bell Night at Time Warner Cable Field where Green Bay area Taco Bell has taken its own initiative to make local contributions to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Green Bay and Appleton. Nationally, Taco Bell and Boys & Girls Clubs of America have had a long-standing relationship contributing to the educational and emotional enrichment of kids all over the nation.
Rich Lepping, a key operator for Green Bay Taco Bell said, “We’re thrilled to continue creating opportunities in our stores and for our customers to engage with this important organization. Boys & Girls Clubs are well-known for their after school programming and their services are vital for the success of our youth in Green Bay.”
According to John Benberg, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay, the Taco Bell relationship is a great model. “Taco Bell has been a huge supporter of teen programming on a national scale—our Keystone Clubs in particular—and many local franchises go above and beyond that to do even more for school age youth in their community. It’s a really cool partnership.”
The Boys & Girls Club has played a crucial role in the Green Bay community for over 40 years, providing life-changing programs and services to thousands of school age youth. With facilities located at 311 S. Oneida Street (West Club) and 1451 University Ave. (East Club), the Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay provides programs in character and leadership development; educational enhancement; career preparation; health and life skills; the arts; and sports, fitness and recreation among others. Membership to the Club is $5 per year. For more information regarding the Boys & Girls Club programs and/or membership please call 920.494.7090 or visit www.bgcgb.org.
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Every time you donate your spare change at your local Taco Bell you can help support teen programs at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. You can find the collection boxes and canisters displayed by cash registers in most Taco Bell Restaurants. Along with canister collections and local fundraisers, in 2008 alone, Chicago raised $96,757 followed by Grand Rapids at $53,610, Flint at $27,471, Traverse City at $10,318 , and Rockford at $7,086. Combining those funds, the MyLocalTaco Bell.com restaurants and customers community donated over $195,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Congratulations and thank you to the Taco Bell customers of Chicagoland, Rockford, Green Bay, Flint, Grand Rapids, Lansing & Traverse City! A little change can go a long way in influencing America’s Youth.
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Chicago Diversified Foods and Mariane Inc., both Taco Bell franchisees in West Michigan presented funds to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids, Holland and Kalamazoo. These funds were raised in an in-store redemption program promoted on the back of their most recent coupon insert across all of West Michigan. Five cents from every coupon redeemed at a participating Taco Bell was given back to the local Boys & Girls Clubs.
West Michigan Taco Bell franchisees have made it a top priority and business objective to give bac to local Boys & Girls Clubs where hundreds of kids are being mentored on a daily basis by caring, dedicated staff.
Having grown up attending a Boys Club himself, owner of Chicago Diversified Foods, Tony Basile says “There’s no other place I’d rather allocate these funds. The clubs here are changing the lives of local teenagers – kids who need the leadership, time and influence to make their communities better places someday.“
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Taco Bell was recognized as instrumental to the opening of the new Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth. The Commonwealth serves more than 700 children per year at two sites. An increased service to teens is one of the major focal points in the new program which will include expanded hours of service after school. Chicago Diversified Food Services, a franchisee of Taco Bell in Chicago and Grand Rapids hosted a grand opening in order for visitors to tour the newly renovated facilities, play games, and win prizes to celebrate the event.
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