Award-winning PDQ restaurants (People Dedicated to Quality) and the world’s largest cleft organization, Smile Train are working together to support and raise awareness for children with clefts this month at PDQ’s 11 South Florida locations.
Every three minutes a baby is born with a cleft. Many children with clefts have severe difficulties eating, breathing, hearing, and speaking. Smile Train supports free cleft surgery for children with clefts in more than 90 countries and supports comprehensive cleft care every step of the way.
From November 8 through December 1, guests who visit any of PDQ’s 11 South Florida locations will have the opportunity to support Smile Train at check-out by rounding up their payment to the nearest dollar amount or making a donation. All funds will be donated directly to Smile Train to help provide free cleft care treatment to children in need.
The partnership will be launched on Sunday, November 8 as a part of the socially-distanced Grand Opening celebration of PDQ’s Miami: Coral Reef location at 2770 SW 152nd Street. There will be drive-thru entertainment from 11am until 5pm, including a special guest performance from local, award-winning musician Cristian Cuevas. All guests who visit the Miami: Coral Reef location from 11am until 9pm that day will receive a scratch-off card for a free menu item on their next visit.
“Smile Train is thrilled to be partnering with PDQ. As we look to build programs with sponsors, it is important that we work with organizations who share the same commitment and values,” says Melanie Buhrmaster, Smile Train’s Vice President of Development. “PDQ’s dedication to putting people first aligns well with Smile Train and our vision to provide optimal cleft treatment and care for our patients. We look forward to the launch of this project and thank PDQ and its customers for helping us give children around the world the gift of a smile.”
“Our South Florida teams of People Dedicated to Quality are looking forward to raising awareness and much-needed funds for this important cause,” said Frank Rappa, PDQ Chief Marketing Officer. “We are so proud to partner with Smile Train and I’ve personally had the opportunity to visit their local programs in Haiti and see firsthand some of the life-changing work they do for children with clefts.”
The participating PDQ locations are Dania Beach, Deerfield Beach, Miami: Coral Reef, Miami: Fountain Square, Oakland Park, Pembroke Pines, Pompano Beach, Port St. Lucie, Stuart, Wellington and West Palm Beach. All locations are open for lunch and dinner for dine-in, To-Go, drive-thru, delivery and catering from 11am until 9pm seven days a week.
