Taco Bell kicked off its 5th annual Circles for Children’s fundraising campaign benefitting Children’s Hospital Central California. Starting June 29, Taco Bell customers will be able to purchase $1 circles to support the Valley’s premier pediatric medical center.
“It’s not about us, it’s about helping the kids,” Central California Taco Bell Association President Dave Olson told 90 restaurant managers during a rally at the Hospital on June 24. “The economy may be bad but kids still get sick. This Hospital deals with some difficult things and the work they do here is miraculous.”
The goal is to raise $200,000 during the six-week campaign, which ends Aug. 2. Taco Bells from Bakersfield to Modesto and along the Central Coast are participating.
“It’s a chance to help a child have a better and healthier future,” said Olson.
In addition to the circles campaign, Taco Bell sponsors the Children’s Hospital Central California Golf Tournament each spring. During the rally, Olson presented a check for $85,000 to Chief Operating Officer Todd Suntrapak and Foundation Vice President James Meinert.
“We’re going to put the fruits of your labor to good use healing children,” said Suntrapak.
Since 2005, Taco Bell has raised $592,483 for Children’s Hospital through its circles campaigns and golf tournaments.