More than $31,000 was raised by Flancer’s Incredible Sandwiches and Pizzeria restaurants during their April Raising the Fun Fund-raiser events to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, proclaimed elated owner Jeff Flancer.
Flancer’s hosted a variety of events in hopes of beating their last year’s total raised for the veterans of $20,000. Disabled Sports USA (Wounded Warrior Project) is a non-profit organization established to allow Iraq/Afghanistan War Veterans who have lost limbs to participate in sports-related rehabilitation programs.
As many as 20 enthusiastic contestants, and about five times as many spectators, showed up Sunday, April 17, for Flancer’s 11th annual Charity Pizza-Eating Contest on the outdoor patio at Flancer’s Gilbert restaurant location, 610 N. Gilbert Road.
After downing 16 and one-fourth slices of 18-inch pizza in 15 minutes, Chuin Jimmy Peng, of Scottsdale, was declared the winner. Jimmy, who has competed for the last three years, bested his previous 2009 first-place winning effort of 13 slices. Second place went to Gus Beisel, of Tempe, who was close behind with 15 slices consumed. Jake Stucky, of Gilbert, won the third place prize by finishing off eight slices.
Miss Arizona 2010 Kathryn Bulkley, and City of Gilbert Mayor John Lewis joined Jeff Flancer to congratulate the winners and present a trophy and $500 to Jimmy. Miss Arizona, who recently visited wounded service personnel at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, said she was moved by the community support of this effort.
Raffles with donated prizes, each worth $1,000, brought in more cash. Winners of the April 18 drawing were: Edward Francis—Villa Siena Weddings and Events, cash; Judy Severance—Norwood Furniture of Gilbert; Gary Werlinga—Sky Mountain Limousine service; Mia Woods—Southwest Airlines tickets; Meg Gillette—Maddy’s Pool service; and Ron Conar—dining-out certificates. Chris Crupi won the VIP Package of a BC BriComp computer.
Smokes and Barrels, and Spill the Wine, Eat That Cheese events raised about $1,800. Flancer’s also offered customers the option to Round Up Your Bill to the next dollar amount, with all excess donated.
“Many of our local sponsors have supported us year after year,” said Jeff.
This year’s donors included: $2,500—Alliance Beverage Distributing Company, Benjamin Franklin The Punctual Plumber, Shamrock Foods; $1,500—Maddy’s Pool Supply, Norwood Furniture, Southwest Airlines Share the Spirit: $1,000—Hamilton Publishing, Sky Mountain Limousines, Surf and Ski, TAP and Sons Electric, Up Close Publications, Villa Siena Weddings and Events; $500 —A2Z Trophy, BC BriComp Computers, Chandler Sign*A*Rama, Four Peaks Brewing Company, Global Bikes, Meridian Bank, Print USA of Arizona, Tabacalera Perdomo Cigars.
To become a sponsor next year, contact Jeff at (480) 326-9077, or send an e-mail to jeff@flancers.com.
For more information, call the Gilbert restaurant at (480) 926-9077, Flancer’s Mesa location, 1902 N. Higley Road, at (480) 396-0077, or visit flancers.com. For more information on the Wounded Warriors Project, go to www.dsusa.org.