If Jeff Flancer has his way, his Flancer’s Incredible Sandwiches and Pizzeria restaurants are determined to raise $25,000 during April for Disabled Sports USA (Wounded Warrior Project), a non-profit organization established to allow Iraqi/Afghanistan War veterans who have lost limbs to participate in sports-related rehabilitation programs.
Several events are planned at Flancer’s restaurants in an effort to beat last year’s total of $20,000.
If you can down 18 slices of an extra-large pizza in 15 minutes, you could be in the running to win Flancer’s 11th annual Charity Pizza-Eating Contest. Last year’s $500 prize was won by the last one eating.
The contest takes place at 11 a.m., April 17, on the outdoor patio at Flancer’s Gilbert restaurant location, 610 N. Gilbert Road. You can sign up there or at the Mesa location, 1902 N. Higley Road.
Registration starts on March 21. Entry fee, which includes a limited edition T-shirt, is $30, on a first-come, first-served basis for the first 25 registrants. An overflow waiting list is maintained until contest time. Miss Arizona, Brittany Dawn Brannon, will crown the winner, who must be an Arizona resident. There is no admission to watch the fun.
The fund-raising event also boasts a raffle with great prizes. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. All prizes are valued at $1,000 or more, and the winner need not be present to win. The drawing will be held on April 18.
“Many of our local sponsors have supported us year after year, like Alliance Beverage Distribution, which donated $2,500 this year,” said Jeff.
Raffle prizes include $1,500 of furniture from Norwood Furniture of Gilbert; $1,000 in travel from Shamrock Foods; limousine service from Sky Mountain Limousines; a computer from BriComp Computers, and meals at local restaurants, with more to be announced. TAP and Sons Electric, Meridian Bank and Global Bikes also are major sponsors. “More sponsors are coming on board each day,” Jeff stated with enthusiasm.
Complete raffle prize lists will be posted at both restaurants and online at flancers.com. Jeff invites sponsors from the business community to participate. Contact Jeff at (480) 326-9077, or send an e-mail to jeff@flancers.com.
Flancer’s also is offering customers the option to Round Up Your Bill to the next dollar amount, with all excess being donated.
Two other fund-raisers are planned at the Gilbert location. Cigar and Port Tasting Night will take place at 6:30 to 8 p.m., on April 6, accompanied by Flancer’s appetizers and expert discussion. Reservations are $45 per person. Wine, Cheese and Appetizer Tasting Night, with expert discussion, is set for 6:30 to 8 p.m., on April 13. Reservations are required.
Flancer’s is well known for its many charitable events, as well as its unique pizzas, pastas, fresh sandwiches and salads. They also have great happy hours.
For updated information, to buy tickets, or to sign up, visit or call the Mesa location at (480) 396-0077, or the Gilbert restaurant at (480) 926-9077. You also can check out the Web site at flancers.com. For more information on the Wounded Warriors project, go to dsusa.org.