Generous Donation Changes Military Families’ Lives Through Operation Homefront and ‘Taste Freedom’ Campaign
Brick House Tavern + Tap’s 3rd annual fundraising initiative serves those who serve our country
During a special ceremony at its restaurant in Sugar Land, Ignite Restaurant Group CFO Brad Leist and team presented a check for $140,104.75 to Operation Homefront, reflecting the results of its third-annual “Taste Freedom” campaign. The funds, which were collected from all 26 Brick House Tavern + Tap locations nationwide, will enable Operation Homefront, the national non-profit organization, to provide invaluable services and assistance to tens of thousands of military families.
The restaurant also teamed up with Operation Homefront and Chase to award and deed a mortgage-free home to U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Jose Alvarez, who served nearly seven years in the Marines performing logistics duties, including two tours in Iraq, and his family.
“This home is going to change our lives,” said Sgt. Alvarez. “It’s going to allow us to not have to worry so much about the financial side of life so we can focus more on our children, who mean the world to us. We are so thankful for this opportunity.”
Brick House Tavern + Tap hosted a seven-week campaign between Memorial Day and Independence Day during which guests who donated to the “Taste Freedom” initiative received bounce-back coupons entitling them to free appetizers and entrées based on the amount donated. These contributions were supplemented by a social media fundraising initiative conducted concurrently with Samuel Adams.
“I am extremely honored to present this check to our partners at Operation Homefront on behalf of the entire Brick House Tavern + Tap team and our generous guests,” said Brad Leist, CFO of Ignite Restaurant Group (NASDAQ: IRG). “At Brick House Tavern + Tap, we strongly believe in supporting the men and women who protect our freedoms every day and make extreme sacrifices in service to our country, like Sgt. Alvarez. This is our opportunity to offer a sincere ‘thank you’ to him, his family and everyone else who wears the uniform of the United States Armed Forces.”
Over the past three years, the “Taste Freedom” campaign has cumulatively donated more than $422,000 to Operation Homefront. The program is unique for the non-profit, and a one-of-a-kind in the restaurant industry.
“We’re extremely grateful to Brick House Tavern + Tap and their guests for assisting Operation Homefront in building strong, stable, and secure military families,” said Brig. Gen. (ret) Robert Thomas, chief operating officer of Operation Homefront. “The monies raised from the successful third straight year of our partnership will help us provide critical relief, resiliency and support programs for our veterans and military families who served and defended the freedoms we enjoy daily.”
ABOUT BRICK HOUSE TAVERN + TAP
Part of the Ignite Restaurant Group (NASDAQ: IRG) portfolio of restaurants, Brick House Tavern + Tap features a unique menu of American classics with a twist, specialty cocktails, and more than 80 beers and beer cocktails, served up with its own blend of personalized hospitality. With 26 locations in the U.S., the elevated next-generation tavern atmosphere is complete with 30+ HD flat screen TVs, soft leather recliners with built-in TV trays, live music and outdoor dining. For the Brick House nearest you, visit BrickHouseTavernandTap.com.
ABOUT OPERATION HOMEFRONT
A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront builds strong, stable, and secure military families so that they can thrive in the communities they have worked so hard to protect. With more than 3,200 volunteers nationwide, Operation Homefront has provided assistance to tens of thousands of military families since its inception shortly after 9/11. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups, 92 percent of Operation Homefront’s expenditures go directly to programs that provide support to our military families. For more information, go to OperationHomefront.net.
ABOUT CHASE
Chase is committed to serving the unique needs of America’s military, veterans and their families through employment, housing, small business, and financial capability programs. Since 2011, the firm has hired more than 10,000 veterans and provided more than 830 mortgage-free homes to military families in partnership with Operation Homefront and other non-profit organizations. To learn more about Chase’s military and veterans affairs programs, visit ChaseMilitary.com.
