CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) -- Nearly 500 Taco Bell and Pizza
Hut restaurants will participate in the fourth annual "Freedom Bells"
fundraiser, in support of the Armed Forces Families Foundation.
One hundred
percent of donations collected from Dec. 5 until Dec. 18 will be used for projects to benefit military families in Alabama, Florida,
Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Donations can
be made at participating Taco Bell and Pizza Hut restaurants by purchasing a
personalized paper bell or by giving extra change from meal purchases.
Donors who give $1 or more also will receive a coupon while supplies last, for
one free taco at their next visit.
"Our Taco
Bell employees and AFFF volunteers are very passionate and excited about
helping and supporting Military Families in our local communities. It is our honor and privilege to be able to give back to all those
who sacrifice for our daily freedom," said Brian Goldstein, Division Leader for
Taco Bell Corporate, which is participating in the fundraiser for the third
consecutive year.
Last year's
"Freedom Bells" campaign raised more than $339,000, with donations from 491
restaurants across markets in Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee,
Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia. Donations have paid for projects such as
renovations to the Internet Café and the Polytrauma Family Room at James A.
Haley VA Hospital and two new children's playgrounds at NAS Pensacola.
This year's
expanded fundraiser will include 478 Taco Bell restaurants, including
corporate-owned and franchised locations. Fifty eight Pizza Hut restaurants
also will participate, for a total of 536 locations.
Participating
restaurants are in the following metropolitan areas:
- Alabama- Mobile
- Florida- Daytona Beach, Fort Myers, Gainesville, Jacksonville,
Melbourne, Miami, Naples, Orlando, Pensacola, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Tallahassee,
Tampa and West Palm Beach
- Georgia-Augusta, Savannah
- North Carolina-Charlotte, Greensboro, Asheville
- South Carolina-Charleston, Greenville, Spartanburg
- Tennessee-Nashville
- Virginia-Norfolk
All proceeds
will go to the Armed Forces Families Foundation (AFFF), which has completed
eight major projects, including:
- Remodeled Family Wellness Center, National Training Center, Ft. Irwin,
CA
- Remodeled Family Center & Computer Lab, USA Mayport Naval Station,
Jacksonville, FL
- Remodeled Family Waiting Areas, Walter Reed Army Medical Center,
Washington, DC
- Donation of Two Mobile Computer Labs to Freedom Park Elementary, Ft.
Gordon, GA
- Built Multi-Age Children's Playground, NAS Pensacola, Pensacola, FL
- Remodeled USO Lounge, Charlotte/Douglas International Airport USO,
Charlotte, NC
- Remodeled Internet Café and Polytrauma Family Room, James A. Haley VA
Hospital, Tampa, FL
- Remodeled Surgical Intensive Care Unit Waiting Areas, Malcom Randall
VA Hospital, Gainesville, FL
For more
information, please visit the following Website: www.armedforcesfamilies.org
