Heat up your summer and support Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) youth with Willy’s Mexicana Grill and Howlin' Willy's Hot Chicken's ninth annual Give $5/Get $5 fundraiser and the return of BGCMA’s Salsa, Salsa! showdown.

From May 27 to June 23, guests who donate $5 will receive a $5 coupon to use on a future visit to Willy’s Mexicana Grill or Howlin’ Willy’s. Over the years, Willy’s has raised more than $200,000 for BGCMA’s Healthy Lifestyles initiatives, which teaches kids and teens how to eat balanced diets, stay physically fit, and build healthy relationships. This year, the goal is to turn up the heat and raise $28,000 in just 28 days!

"We're thrilled to reintroduce our Boys and Girls Club fundraising initiatives, aimed at making a positive difference in the lives of young individuals within our communities," said Sam Bryan, Senior Director of Marketing at Willy's. "The success of this program throughout the years owes much to our incredible communities, united in the belief that together, we can profoundly impact the lives of our local youth. We couldn’t be more excited to get this started and have fun along the way!"

Following the 28-day Give $5/Get$5 promotion, excitement will continue on July 10 with the much-anticipated return of BGCMA’s "Salsa, Salsa!"—an event last held in 2019 before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s “Salsa, Salsa!” will be held at BGCMA’s Warren Boys & Girls Club in Grant Park. BGCMA youth teams will face off in a high-energy salsa showdown, using ingredients from their Club gardens to create the ultimate salsa sensation. The winning salsa, as judged by Joe Ippolito, President of Willy’s, will be featured at a local Willy’s Mexicana Grill for all to savor. Ippolito will also present a check from the Give $5/Get $5 fundraiser.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Willy’s for partnering with us to bring this cherished event back to our kids and community,” said Terri Fishback, Chief Programs & Operations Officer at BGCMA. “Salsa, Salsa! is more than just a friendly competition. It’s a celebration of community, creativity, teamwork, and deliciously healthy choices. Our kids showcase their culinary skills and learn the importance of nutritious eating—all while having a lot of fun!”

Don’t miss out on the chance to show your support this summer. Participate in the Give $5/Get $5 fundraiser and mark your calendars for the "Salsa, Salsa!" event.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA): For 85 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA) has ignited the unlimited potential of kids and teens by creating safe, inclusive, and engaging environments. Our 25 Clubs located in 10 counties across metropolitan Atlanta serves approximately 7,000 kids & teens (ages 6-18) each year, offering youth development programs during critical non-school hours that promote academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character & leadership. BGCMA also oversees Camp Kiwanis, a 160-acre outdoor residence camp. To learn more about BGCMA, follow us on social media: Twitter (@BGCMA_Clubs), Facebook (BGCMA), TikTok (BGCMAtl), LinkedIn (Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta), and Instagram (bgcmATL), or visit us online at www.bgcma.org.

About Willy’s Mexicana Grill: Willy’s Mexicana Grill was started by Willy Bitter, an entrepreneur who fell in love with California-style burritos after living in San Francisco and visiting the Mission District in the 1990s. He brought the idea for a new style of fast casual Mexican restaurant back to Atlanta and opened his first Willy’s in 1995. Willy’s is growing responsibly and steadily, with 28 restaurants in the metro Atlanta area and throughout Georgia. For more information, visit willys.com.

About Howlin’ Willy’s Hot Chicken: Willy’s Mexicana Grill founder Willy Bitter founded Howlin’ Willy’s Hot Chicken after a trip to Nashville, where he fell in love with the city’s hot chicken offerings. Bitter was inspired to bring more flavor and bold heat to this popular favorite through a variety of chili peppers. Hand-battered and deep-fried, crispy tenders, wings and sandwiches come in five different heat levels (Not Hot, Kinda Hot, Sweet Heat, Willy Hot and Howlin’) and a variety of dipping options. The first Howlin’ Willy’s opened as an outpost inside the Willy’s Piedmont Park location, and two more soon followed in Hapeville and North Druid Hills. A fourth, standalone location is in East Cobb. For more information go to HowlinWillys.com.