Initiative to Combat High School Graduation Crisis Included $25,000 College Tuition Giveaway IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Taco Bell raised $1.8 million in a one-day nationwide fundraiser held in April to benefit Taco Bell Foundation for Teens and their key partner and beneficiary, Boys & Girls Clubs of America. More than 2 million customers visited Taco Bell restaurants on April 23rd to participate in the fundraiser. Franchisees and company-owned restaurants pledged 15 percent of the day's gross sales to help further the Foundation's mission of raising awareness for the graduation crisis, and supporting programs at Boys & Girls Clubs designed to help at-risk teens. The money pledged from the fundraiser will help enhance and expand the national Keystone initiative, the largest and most dynamic teen program within Boys & Girls Clubs of America. Keystone Clubs help young people ages 14-18 become productive citizens and leaders by focusing on three key areas: Academic Success, Career Exploration and Community Service. Since 1995, Taco Bell Foundation for Teens estimates its programs have helped more than 500,000 teens stay in school and on the path to graduation. "The high school dropout rate has reached epidemic proportion in the United States and poses one of the greatest risks to our country's economic future," said BGCA President/CEO Roxanne Spillett. "We are very grateful for the support the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens has provided, enabling us to create greater awareness of this issue, but most importantly the resources to do something about it." To underscore the value of education, Taco Bell also donated $100,000 to fund four college scholarships that were available to customers who visited the restaurant during the fundraiser. More than 30,000 customers logged on to http://www.tacobellfoundationforteens.org/ and entered to win one of four $25,000 college tuition scholarships. "We're thrilled to play a part in helping people pursue the dream of college," said Bob Fulmer, executive director of the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens. "With the help of customers and all our franchisees, the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens will continue to make a difference in the lives of millions of youth who can achieve success by staying in school and graduating." Four $25,000 Scholarship Winners Jacinto Carillo Fagundo, 42, of Fullerton, CA is a chief technology officer for Los Angeles County. Fagundo has two daughters, ages eight and 10, and is planning on using the scholarship money towards their future college education. "It is such a nice feeling to know your kids are going to be able to go to college because this money is going to be there," Fagundo said. "As a parent it takes a lot of the stress away." Terri Minton, 23, of Norfolk, VA is currently attending school during the day to become a Dental Assistant and works in housekeeping at RBC Central Bank at night. Minton will use the scholarship to attend dental hygiene school in the fall. "My son is the one who pushed me to get an education," Minton said. "It's great that Taco Bell is helping people make changes in their lives." Tequila Huffman, 33, of Jacksonville, FL is a mortgage loan processor who had entered the contest on a whim the last day of eligibility. "I can't wait to be a full-time student again and get my diploma," said Huffman, who is planning to return to the University of North Florida in the fall to complete her degree in business and economics. Originally enrolled in 2003, Huffman put school on hold after meeting her husband and starting a family. "This is like a dream come true," added Huffman. Mark Douglas Hover, 52, of Woodland, WA is a technician at Community Tissue Services. Hover will use the scholarship to attend nursing school at Clark College in the fall. "It's hard work switching careers when you are older," Hover said. "This is an opportunity to do something that I never thought I'd be able to do." About Taco Bell Corp. Taco Bell Corp. ("Taco Bell"), a subsidiary of Yum! Brands, Inc., (NYSE: YUM), is the nation's leading Mexican-style quick service restaurant chain. Taco Bell serves tacos, burritos, signature quesadillas, Grilled Stuft Burritos, nachos, and other specialty items such as Crunchwrap Supreme , in addition to the 79-89-99 WHY PAY MORE(TM)! Value Menu. Taco Bell serves more than 36.8 million consumers each week in nearly 5,600 restaurants in the U.S. About the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens The Taco Bell Foundation, Inc., dba Taco Bell Foundation for Teens (TBFT), a non-profit 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation, is committed to addressing the growing number of high school dropouts in the U.S. by providing at-risk youth with mentors and real-world experiences that will motivate them to stay in school and achieve more in life. Since 1995, TBFT has donated more than $23 million to support teen programs at Boys & Girls Clubs of America with the help of on-going customer, franchisee and employee donations. For more information about TBFT, visit http://www.tacobellfoundationforteens.org/. About Boys & Girls Clubs of America For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (http://www.bgca.org/) has helped kids "Be Great," providing hope and opportunity for those who need it most. Today, more than 4,300 Clubs serve some 4.5 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Known as The Positive Place for Kids, Boys & Girls Clubs can be found throughout the country and on U.S. military bases worldwide, providing young people 6-18 years old with guidance-oriented character development programs conducted by trained, professional staff. Clubs positively impact lives and help young people reach their full potential as productive, caring citizens. Key programs emphasize leadership development; education and career exploration; community service; technology training; financial literacy; health and life skills; the arts; sports, fitness and recreation; and family outreach. In a recent Harris Survey of Club alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. DATASOURCE: Taco Bell Foundation for Teens CONTACT: Kim Durk of Durk Rion Public Relations, +1-312-492-7721, , for Taco Bell Foundation for Teens Web Site: http://www.tacobellfoundationforteens.org/ http://www.bgca.org/

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