BURGER KING® HAWAII MEETS GOAL FOR THE SALVATION ARMY’S ANGEL TREE PROGRAM

Partnership with Aloha United Way raises more than $10,000 to buy gifts for children in need

Burger King® Hawaii (BKHI) announced today that its campaign in partnership with Aloha United Way, benefitting The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program, has raised $10,600 this holiday season. Every dollar raised goes directly to buy gifts requested by children with the help of Aloha United Way and The Salvation Army volunteers.

“We are grateful to have not only met, but actually exceeded our $10,000 fundraising goal,” said Denise Yamauchi, BKHI Managing Director. “Thanks to giving customers and caring staff in our 24 BKHI restaurants statewide, and to the efforts of Aloha United Way and The Salvation Army, we did almost 20 percent better than last year.”

“Aloha United Way would like to extend a heartfelt ‘mahalo’ to the many BKHI customers and staff who generously expressed the spirit of giving for this campaign,” said Cindy Adams, Aloha United Way President and CEO. “The statewide support will truly help to make the holiday season merry and bright for hundreds of keiki in our local community.”

Donations collected on each island stayed local, and were used for The Salvation Army’s gift requests for recipients on that island.  “It’s our commitment that everyone who requests a gift through The Salvation Army Angel Tree Program receives their gift,” said Major John Chamness, Divisional Leader for The Salvation Army Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division. “This year, TSA is distributing more than 60,000 gifts statewide, and Burger King’s collection of cash donations filled a great need,” he added.

From November 10 through December 15, when BKHI customers paid for their orders at the register or drive-thru window, they were invited to add a cash contribution of any size and to sign an “Angel Tree” tag to be posted in the store.  “All the store windows and walls filled up with tags, a clear demonstration of collective giving,” Yamauchi said.

A competition between all BKHI stores for who raised most was won by the Prince Kuhio store on the Big Island, Yamauchi added. The coveted first prize was  a platter of cookies home-baked by the 4-woman BKHI holiday baking squad.

About BURGER KING® in Hawaii

There are 32 BURGER KING® restaurants in Hawaii: 21 on Oahu, four on Maui, two on Kauai, and five on the Big Island of Hawaii.  Twenty-four of the restaurants are owned by Kazi Restaurants of Hawaii, Inc., the largest local franchisee. Four military base restaurants are owned by AAFES and four airport locations are owned by Host Marriott. To find a local restaurant near you, go to www.bk.com.

About Burger King Corporation

BURGER KING® operates more than 11,300 restaurants in all 50 U.S. states and in more than 69 countries and U.S. territories worldwide.  Approximately 90 percent of BURGER KING® restaurants are owned and operated by independent franchisees, many of them family-owned operations that have been in business for decades. To learn more about Burger King Corporation, please visit the company’s website at www.bk.com.

Aloha United Way Mission Statement

For over 90 years, Aloha United Way has served as a fundraiser for Oahu non-profits and as an agency that mobilizes the caring power of our community to make a difference in people’s lives.

About The Salvation Army – Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division

The Hawaiian and Pacific Islands Division of The Salvation Army serves the State of Hawaii and the Pacific Islands including Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands and The Federated States of Micronesia. Among their community programs are: adult day health services; affordable senior housing; at-risk youth services and housing; camp & conference center; family thrift stores; food distribution and feeding programs; homeless services; The Kroc Center – Hawaii’s largest community center; preschools & day care services; social services – emergency assistance; substance abuse treatment; and work therapy & rehabilitation services. For information, call 808-988-2136, visit hawaii.salvationarmy.org, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.