Tom O'Connor of Eegee's formally delivers check to LeslieAnn Williams of Information & Referral Services. The agency is hosting the upcoming Cause to Celebrate at the Reid Park Zoo, both to thank Eegee's for its generosity, and to raise funds for and awareness of the non-profit.

Other articles by Loni Nannini:

Couple makes impact at ICS Food Bank Get tested for HIV, local AIDS Foundation urges 20 regional nonprofits sharing $442K in grants Play time on course to aid Downtown kids' centerVolunteer Fair an opportunity for community Now you've found the perfect Father's Day gift Assistance dogs help elderly and the disabled Coordinator wants to share love of languages State cutbacks boost funding urgency A gala for animals, those who love them

Trades/Construction
RANCHO RESORT
MAINTANANCE POSITION Health Care
Sierra Tucson
Eating Disorders Program Coordinator General
A1 Communications
Cable Techs

Tom O'Connor takes little credit for donations of more than $1 million to local community services through Eegee's restaurants. Instead, he passes the kudos on to Eegee's customers and employees throughout Tucson.

"Our customers donated the money. We just give them the opportunity to help out organizations that help out others in the community: We are just a conduit in the community," said O'Connor, president of Eegee's, which operates 21 locations citywide.

O'Connor said the project, which begins annually during the month of June, translates customers' values into community funds. In exchange for a $5 donation to a non-profit organization designated by Eegee's, customers receive a coupon card featuring Eegee's food discounts to use throughout the year. Printing and advertising of the coupon cards are handled directly by Eegee's at no cost to the non-profits. Recipients of the proceeds have been diverse since the project's inception in 1992: Beneficiaries have included organizations such as Tucson Community Food Bank, Jewish Family & Children's Services of Southern Arizona, Habitat for Humanity, the Beacon Foundation, the Humane Society of Southern Arizona and the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southern Arizona and the Pima Community College Foundation. In June, Eegee's donated $120,000 to St. Elizabeth of Hungary Clinic; last year, a $100,600 donation covered operating costs for the 2007-2008 fiscal year at Information & Referral Services.

In gratitude, Information & Referral Services has turned the tables and will honor Eegee's at "Cause to Celebrate" at the Reid Park Zoo on Sept. 13.

The celebration will provide well-deserved recognition for the homegrown restaurant, according to LeslieAnn Williams, executive director of Information & Referral Services. She said individuals and local businesses should be aware that Eegee's is a great community partner that provides not only the annual donation to a designated non-profit, but ongoing support to its employees and numerous youth groups, shelters, the Salvation Army and the Casa Maria Soup Kitchen.

She said the annual charitable campaign was a lifeline for Information & Referral Services, which provides a helpline (locally at 325-2111 or toll free at 1-888-575-2111) for people of all ages seeking any type of information or assistance. The organization services between 50,000 to 60,000 callers annually, providing information and referral for everything from requests for basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter to recommendations for counselors or polling locations.

"They saved us from closing last year when we had large local donors who just pulled funding. Eegee's enabled us to run for another year, and so we wanted more people to know about what they do. There are lots of organizations out there who have to have their names everywhere when they give, but Eegee's has been a quiet business that has gone about their business and done this campaign every year where they select an organization and very quietly give them significant amounts of cash without receiving much in the way of public relations," she said.

O'Connor, whose family began farming in Arizona during the 1920s and established the first creamery in Phoenix, said company recognition is not his motivation: He simply wants to do a good deed.

"Our family goes way back in Arizona, and we have been very fortunate. Part of giving back is helping others out," he said.

O'Connor also recognizes that supporting local non-profits has become increasingly important during today's economy.

"There are more people that will need to utilize services such as children's health care at St. Elizabeth's Clinic and services through Information & Referral when times are tough. And these organizations need more funding because they have more people coming in for services," he said.

Overall, O'Connor is heartened by the continued growth of Eegee's charitable endeavors. He attributes the success to the dedication of his employees—top sellers of coupon books receive prizes—and the generosity of the people of Tucson.

"We broke a record last year again with charitable contributions. People are very giving; they just need the opportunity to give. The easier it is for them, the more apt they are to give," he said.