Taco Bell Freedom Bells Fundraiser

Let Freedom Bells Ring – Taco Bell donation campaign will benefit local military families

Nearly 500 Taco Bell restaurants will participate in the third annual “Freedom Bells” fundraiser, in support of the Armed Forces Families Foundation.

One hundred percent of donations collected from June 29 – July 12 will go toward projects to benefit military families in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Virginia.

Donations can be made at participating Taco Bell 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 troops’ loved ones are their first line of support. Taco Bell is proud to assist our troops by supporting their families,” said Thaddeus Foster, chief operations officer and franchisee for Southeast QSR Inc., which is participating in the fundraiser for the third consecutive year.

Last year’s “Freedom Bells” campaign raised more than $317,000, with donations from 414 restaurants across markets in Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, South Carolina and Georgia. Donations have paid for projects such as renovations to the Mayport USO Center in Jacksonville, Fla., and improvements for a school at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Ga.

This year’s expanded fundraiser will include 491 Taco Bell restaurants, including corporate‐owned and franchised locations. Fifty eight Pizza Hut restaurants also will participate, for a total of 549 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 six major projects, including the renovations to the Mayport USO Center in Jacksonville, Fla., a Family Wellness Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., a family rest area at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and a Family Readiness Program for the Marine Special Operations Battalion in Camp Pendleton, Calif., which is one of the most heavily deployed units of the Marine Corps.

###