Let Freedom Bells Ring

Taco Bell fundraising campaign will benefit local military families

More than 400 Taco Bell restaurants will participate in the second annual “Freedom Bells” fundraiser, in support of the Armed Forces Families Foundation.

One hundred percent of donations made from Nov. 10‐23 will go toward projects to benefit military families in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee 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 for one free taco at their next visit, while supplies last.

“Our troops’ loved ones are their first line of support. We’re thankful for the support of Taco Bell and we are proud to support our troops by supporting their families,” said Thaddeus Foster, a member of the board at AFFF, which is participating in the fundraiser for the second consecutive year.

Last year’s “Freedom Bells” campaign raised more than $60,000, with support from 60 restaurants across three markets in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. Donations have paid for projects such as renovations to the Mayport USO Center in Jacksonville, Fla., and improvements are planned for a school at Fort Gordon in Augusta, Ga.

This year’s expanded fundraiser will include 414 Taco Bell restaurants, including corporate‐owned and franchised locations. Fifty eight Pizza Hut restaurants also will participate, for a total of 472 locations.

Participating restaurants will be 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
Tennessee‐Nashville
Virginia‐Norfolk

All proceeds will go to the Armed Forces Families Foundation (AFFF), which has completed four 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.

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