Angry Crab Shack partnering with charities to raise money for veterans, first responders in July

By Connor Van Ligten
Mail

Angry Crab Shack has an annual charitable tradition that goes on every July.

Called “You Dine, We Donate,” for every dine-in guest who eats at an Arizona Angry Crab Shack location — including its two Mesa locations — in the month of July, Angry Crab Shack will donate 25 cents to charitable organizations that provide support and resources to veterans and first responders.

Charities that receive these donations include the Boulder Crest Foundation, Arizona Housing Coalition, the Wounded Warriors Project and the Pat Tillman Foundation.

According to Angry Crab Shack President and CFO Andy Diamond, the company has been giving back to the community since it opened in 2014. He said founder Ron Lou formed the business with that in mind and had made small donations for the first few years the business existed.

In 2016, the program launched properly, and in 2017, the program made its first official partnership with a charity, that being the Arizona Housing Coalition. The campaign has continued to grow in the years since.

“Since our first year with them, we’ve helped raise over $450,000 through this campaign,” Diamond said. “This year, we’ve expanded it to where we’re still working with Arizona Housing Coalition but we’re also working with Boulder Crest Foundation, the Pat Tillman Foundation, and the Wounder Warrior Project.”

It’s not just dining in that supports the campaign though. Angry Crab Shack marketing coordinator Vanice Hoepfner listed a variety of ways people can contribute to the campaign besides just dining in.

One such example is purchasing a limited edition T-shirt with the proceeds going to the various charities. There are also local breweries and liquor vendors that donate 25 cents to the campaign for any alcoholic purchase made.

“Our guests can purchase those shirts at any of our Arizona locations and then proceeds from those shirts will get added to our fundraiser,” Hoepfner said. “We also partner with some local breweries and liquor vendors that will be providing extra funds for the campaign.”

Those monetary donations can be crucial for the charitable organizations to keep operations running. Joe Wood is the vice president of strategy and operations for the Boulder Crest Foundation, an organization that helps treat and support veterans who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Boulder Crest has a facility in Sonoita and runs various programs throughout the state. Donations from Angry Crab Shack help to ensure everything runs smoothly, according to Wood.

“Whatever resources Angry Crab Shack gives us, it’s gonna go towards serving veterans,” Wood said. “This funding goes to supporting whatever we’re doing not just in Mesa, but in Maricopa County, including Luke Air Force base and the families there.”

Diamond said the impact of the campaign goes beyond financial. He said the campaign helps to raise awareness about not only the charities that might exist in Arizona but also bring more attention to organizations that veterans can use for help.

“I think it has highlighted and brought attention to veterans that need help and given people an idea of what the Arizona Housing Coalition and other organizations do to help veterans,” Diamond said. “It’ll help them further down the line with getting more donations if people start hearing it about through Angry Crab Shack.”

Overall, Hoepfner hopes people who may eat at Angry Crab Shack during the month of July will be thankful and appreciative of the efforts and work of veterans and first responders.

“Be thankful for all of the heroes that have allowed us to live our life the way we have,” Hoepfner said. “We want to give back and make sure that we support all of the heroes that allowed us the freedoms we have today.”

For more information on Angry Crab Shack, visit https://www.angrycrabshack.com/.