News

Boardwalk joins initiative to bring fresh water to Africa

October 28, 2010

Boardwalk Fresh Burgers and Fries has signed on as a corporate sponsor for Lifewell Inc., a Maryland-based nonprofit group that brings clean, fresh drinking water to those without in Africa.

As a sponsor, Boardwalk will provide product and financial support for the group's efforts, and will also feature donation boxes in restaurants.

The partnership makes plenty of sense: Lifewell was founded by Joe Beckhardt, Boardwalk's director of operations. Beckhardt, also an ordained minister, noticed the water shortage/uncleanliness problem while traveling to Africa on a mission trip.

Lifewell's objective is to install fresh water wells in remote villates around Osun, Nigeria. Each well costs approximately $6,000 to install.

"I am truly thankful that my employer has decided to support LifeWell. The cause resonates with Boardwalk’s mission of excellent service to customers and franchisees," Beckhardt said. "These Nigerian villagers will likely never have the chance to enter a Boardwalk Fresh Burgers & Fries restaurant, but the company still wanted to extend their commitment to customer service all the way to Africa.”

"Clean water is something every man, woman, and child should have access to, and we are humbled that Boardwalk can help make this a reality for the villages that LifeWell supports,” added Boardwalk Fresh Burgers & Fries CEO and founder Dave DiFerdinando.

Boardwalk Fresh Burgers & Fries currently has seven locations in Virginia, Maryland, Georgia, Pennsylvania and California. The concept has more than 150 units in development and continues to expand throughout the country and overseas.