Sonya Thomas Heading to Puerto Rico to eat for Boys & Girls Club

The Taco Bell Why Pay More Challenge begins for the benefit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico

The Why Pay More Challenge from Taco Bell is almost here! Think outside the bun in the event that provides unique and safe entertainment for the youth this summer. This year, the Why Pay More Challenge will serve as a platform to announce Taco Bell’s alliance with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico as the company becomes more active in their social commitment with Puerto Rico’s youth.

At this year’s Why Pay More Challenge, the spotlight’s on female talent with Sonya "The Black Widow" Thomas making her first visit to the island to take part in the event. Thomas will look to establish a record in the Caribbean by eating the most soft tacos in the least amount of time possible. The event will take place on Thursday, July 15th.

Taco Bell’s goal is to help the Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico get the funding necessary so that they can continue to provide their services to the more than 5,000 children they receive daily at the 8 centers around the island located in: Santurce, Río Piedras, Carolina (2), Aguas Buenas, Arecibo and Mayagüez. To reach this goal, Taco Bell will donate the Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico $125.00 for each soft taco Sonya Thomas eats in the Why Pay More Challenge 2010 Grand Finale.

In addition to the donation, Taco Bell has designed a video game available at facebook.com/tacobellpr. This innovative Facebook application brings the experience of the real Why Pay More Challenge to a video game. In the game, players must capture as much coins as possible because Taco Bell will donate the Boys & Girls Clubs 10¢ for each coin captured.

Now, the players can have the experience of participating in the Why Pay More Challenge and at the same, contribute to the cause while playing in the comfort of their own homes.

“Taco Bell has decided to speak out against school desertion and echo the hard work carried out by the Boys & Girls Clubs with the Puerto Rican youth. Taco Bell has always supported the Boys & Girls Clubs in the US and we’ve decided to take that support locally. Our commitment with the Boys & Girls Clubs goes beyond funding, we want to spread the word so more people can get to know the hard work put in by this organization and how more and more kids and teens can benefit from a positive place for the youth”, commented Carlos Frontera, Marketing Manager for Taco Bell Puerto Rico.

All those interested in participating can access tacobellpr.com or facebook.com/tacobellpr for registration, rules and event calendar. Taco Bell leads Puerto Rico’s Mexican fast food segment and has been recognized for innovation and quality products. The chain is operated in Puerto Rico by Encanto Restaurants, the 3rd biggest employer in the island.

About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico: The Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico is a non-profit organization with more than 40 years of service, leader in providing after-school guidance to disadvantaged youth lacking educational, social or family support. They have affected the lives of more than 20,000 children over the years they've been serving in Puerto Rico with programs dedicated to improving their education, character, leadership, health and overall life skills, arts and sports and recreation. Last year they served more than 5,000 kids and employed more than 180 professionals from the island. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Puerto Rico count with seven locations in Ramos Antonini Housing Project in Río Piedras, Las Margaritas Housing Project in Santurce, FD Roosevelt Housing Projects in Mayagüez, San Lorenzo, Carolina, Arecibo and Aguas Buenas. Plus, an educational center in Torres Sabana Housing Project in Carolina. For more information, visit www.bgcpr.org.