Elizabethton, TN (July 19, 2005) — Knowing that today's young people are tomorrow's leaders, the Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County is stepping up efforts to better serve more teenagers in the area.
The organization is one step closer to reaching its goal, thanks to a $5,000 grant provided by local Taco Bell operator, Tacala. The grant was presented today at the club's board appreciation dinner.
"This grant will enable us to better serve a sometimes overlooked age group and provide them (the teens) with some valuable life skills training," stated John Malone, Executive Director of the Clubs. "These funds will have an immediate and direct impact on our teens."
"Teenage youth are traditionally the most challenging group for youth-development organizations to work with," continued Mr. Malone. "They face more distractions, peer pressure, risks and critical decisions than in their pre-teen years."
In addition to participating in the national Taco Bell program to collect money for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, called TEENSupreme, Tacala restaurants also conduct fundraisers specifically to raise funds for local clubs in markets where it operates restaurants. The grant to the Elizabethton/Carter County Club is one of a over a dozen $5000 grants going to clubs in Tacala's markets so far this year. Taco Bell restaurants in the Tri-Cities area will be participating in the second annual local fundraiser of the year for local clubs August 3rd - 16th.
Tacala District Managers Randy Johnson was on hand to present the check on behalf of Team Tacala Charities. "Everyone in our company has really taken supporting Boys & Girls Clubs to heart. And when you visit the clubs, and see the kids, it's easy to see why. We're very happy to be in Elizabethton today giving the Club these much-needed funds so they can improve their teen programs," stated Mr. Johnson.
The Boys & Girls Club of Elizabethton/Carter County has played an integral role in the community, providing services to over 100 teens annually. The Club offers programs that emphasize character and leadership development, education and career enhancement, health and life skills, the arts, and sports, fitness and recreation. The money received today by the club will help to improve these programs and the facilities for teens.
Boys & Girls Clubs comprises a national network of more than 3,300 neighborhood-based facilities annually serving some 3.6 million young people, primarily from disadvantaged circumstances. Known as "The Positive Place for Kids," the Clubs provide character development programs on a daily basis for children and teens, 6-18 years old, conducted by a full-time professional staff.
Tacala has been widely recognized among Taco Bell franchisees as the leader in local Boys & Girls Club support. Tacala has raised over $500,000 for B&GCs and has donated $200,000 to Clubs in Tennessee in the past several years. The company is on track to raise over $200,000 in 2005 for local clubs.
Taco Bell Corp., a division of Yum Brands Inc., is the nation's leading Mexican-style quick service restaurant chain serving tacos, burritos, signature Chalupas and Gorditas, nachos, Quesadillas, and other specialty items. Taco Bell serves more than 35 million guests each week in nearly 6,700 restaurants in the U.S. For more information, visit www.tacobell.com.