Birmingham, Ala (October 19, 2005) — World Series game three will commence when local business owner Don Ghareeb, President of Tacala, throws the opening pitch Tuesday night. Birmingham, Ala based Tacala is the largest franchisee of Taco Bell restaurants in the nation with 42 of their 165 locations in the Birmingham market.
Ghareeb won the opportunity to throw the first pitch of game three of the World Series by placing the highest bid in a live auction to benefit Taco Bell Foundation during the recent Taco Bell Franchise convention. Taco Bell Foundation hosted a series of fundraising events at the convention to benefit teen programming at Boys and Girls Clubs of America. "We believe that it is Tacala's responsibility to be a premier partner with our communities. Our team members are very enthusiastic about the partnership with the local Boys and Girls Clubs and they were very passionate about Tacala placing the winning bid during the live auction," said Ghareeb. FRANMAC is an annual gathering of Taco Bell Franchisees and Licensees to celebrate past achievements, recognize future goals, and share best practices.
Tacala has raised over a million dollars for Boys and Girls Clubs of America. In addition to Tacala's support of Boys & Girls Clubs of America through the Taco Bell Foundation, Team Tacala Charities was founded to promote opportunities for youth in our communities, especially teens, through the support of organizations that specialize in the leadership, career development, character, and health needs of youth. A. G. Gaston Boys and Girls Clubs, Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Ala, East Central Ala, West Ala, Phenix/Russell, Ala, and Southeast Ala have all received grants from Team Tacala Charities over the past two years.
As a related goal, Team Tacala Charities also hopes to inspire volunteerism among team members by promoting worthwhile organizations in our local markets and by providing outlets for participation and involvement. The primary fundraising activity for Team Tacala Charities is a program called "Round Up." Round Up, a two week program where cashiers in each Tacala restaurant ask customers to donate their change to support teen programs, is conducted three times each year (April, August, and December). Tacala encourages team members to get involved with Boys & Girls Clubs or other youth organizations in their markets. Over the past several years, Tacala team members have participated in clean-up/painting days in clubs, donated signage and basketball goals, held parties for the kids, donated food, attended club activities, sponsored golf tournaments, and have served on various club boards.
Since its inception in 2002, Team Tacala Charities has distributed 24 club grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. The number of grants distributed depends on the number of clubs that apply and qualify for the funds. Organizations that service teens with other pressing or specialized needs (capital, special events, trip, etc.) may also submit a request for funds directly to Team Tacala Charities. Most requests of this nature demonstrating merit are funded wholly or in part.
For more information on Tacala and Team Tacala Charities, visit their web-site www.tacala.com.