News

Taco John's donates $100K to help wounded soldiers

March 5, 2014

Taco John's has donated $100,000 to the Yellow Ribbon Fund, a nonprofit organization that helps severely injured soldiers. According to a news release, the donation will help fund lodging and transportation when families make extended visits with the wounded service members.

"This donation to the Yellow Ribbon Fund will impact thousands of soldiers and family members. It's a great feeling to be able to help both soldiers and families heal," said Rick Kammerer, a Taco John's franchisee and chairman of the chain's Advertising Production Committee.

The Yellow Ribbon Fund provides rental cars to families as well as taxi vouchers. It offers free hotel rooms to visiting families and long term access to apartments when necessary.

Taco John's raised money for the donation through the sale of Nachos Navidad — a seasonal menu item the chain has tied to charitable giving for 18 years.

Franchisees can also use Nachos Navidad to support local charities, the release said. This year two franchisee ownership groups, Taco John's of Iowa Inc., and the Taco John's restaurants owned by Clayton Hartman, decided to add their local charitable efforts to the Yellow Ribbon Fund. Each raised nearly $25,000 for the organization.

In addition to the cash donation, Taco John's is also providing a 13-foot banner filled with words of support for the wounded soldiers. Taco John's guests were invited to digitally sign or text-in a message for display on the banner. The oversized greeting card will be displayed for service members at numerous facilities, including Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.