LAS VEGAS — Dunkin' Brands, parent company of Dunkin' Donuts, Baskin-Robbins and Togo's, announced a commitment to support emergency response organizations in times of crisis with The Dunkin' Brands Community Foundation. This national philanthropic initiative kicked off at the 2006 Dunkin' Brands Global Franchisee Convention in Las Vegas, with a ceremony recognizing five community heroes from across the country for their bravery and leadership.
The Dunkin' Brands Community Foundation heroes:
-- Leslie Botos, Director of Public Affairs, BloodSource (blood bank), Sacramento, Calif. A blood banking innovator, Leslie Botos is the founder of "Pint for Pint" — a national program that encourages blood donation by giving a pint of Baskin-Robbins ice cream in exchange for a pint of donated blood. To support Ms. Botos' continued efforts in blood banking, Dunkin' Brands will donate $5,000 to BloodSource.
-- Marge Dykstra, American Red Cross Veteran Volunteer, Akron, Iowa. Dykstra, registered nurse, has responded to 76 national disasters since becoming involved with the American Red Cross's Siouxland Area Chapter in 1985. To support Ms. Dysktra's tireless efforts with the American Red Cross, Dunkin' Brands will donate $5,000 to the Siouxland Area Chapter Disaster Fund in Sioux City, Iowa.
-- Coy Faucheux, Baskin-Robbins Franchisee, Slidell, La. First, Faucheux and his wife opened their home to dozens of refugees. Then, when his Slidell, Louisiana store received its first ice cream delivery after the storm, he fed hundreds of relief volunteers and refugees with Baskin-Robbins ice cream -- free of charge. To support the inspirational efforts of Coy Faucheux and his Gulf Coast community, Dunkin' Brands will donate $5,000 to support the police and firefighters in the region.
-- Darren Irby, vice president of Public Relations, American Red Cross, Falls Church, Va. Just as he once responded to the Oklahoma City bombing and many other emergencies, Irby worked in the Houston Astrodome for 20 days to help Katrina refugees. To support Mr. Irby's brave efforts with the American Red Cross, Dunkin' Brands will donate $1,250 to the Southeast Mississippi Chapter of ARC, $1,250 to the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chapter of ARC, $1,250 to ARC of Arkansas and $1,250 to the South Louisiana Chapter of ARC.
"During recent disasters we have seen how important emergency response systems are in times of crisis," said Paul Leech, Dunkin' Brands chief administrative officer. "At Dunkin' Brands, we have been inspired by these brave individuals and are pleased to be able to provide support, as they continue to lead our communities through the hardest of times."
