Willy’s Mexicana Grill and Howlin' Willy's Hot Chicken raised $30,075 this year during their ninth annual “Give $5/Get $5” fundraiser to support Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA). From May 27 through June 23, guests who donated $5 to BGCMA at Willy’s and Howlin’ Willy’s locations received a $5 coupon for use on a future visit.

The proceeds will go toward BGCMA’s Healthy Lifestyles initiatives, which teach kids and teens how to eat balanced diets, stay physically fit, and build healthy relationships. Over the years, Willy’s and Howlin’ Willy’s have raised more than $200,000 for these initiatives.

The event, which had been on hiatus since 2019 due to COVID-19, returned with full force thanks to a partnership between Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (BGCMA), Willy’s Mexicana Grill, and Atlanta Falcons Youth Fund. Participating Clubs included At-Promise South, A. Worley Brown, Douglas County, East DeKalb, Warren, and Whitehead.

“We’re so excited that we were able once again to make a difference for young people in our communities,” said Sam Bryan, Senior Director of Marketing at Willy’s. “We’ve always said that Willy’s and Howlin’ Willy’s have the best guests in the city, and they proved that yet again during the ‘Give $5/Get $5’ fundraiser by helping us raise funds for such important work!”

Joe Ippolito, president of Willy’s, presented BGCMA with a check from the fundraiser at BGCMA’S popular Salsa, Salsa! competition, held Wednesday, July 10, at BGCMA’s Warren Boys & Girls Club in Grant Park. The event featured BGCMA youth teams facing off in a showdown to create the ultimate salsa sensation using ingredients from their Club gardens.

The winning salsa, as judged by Ippolito, former Atlanta Falcon Cliff Matthews and Your 3rd Spot Head Chef Stuart Rogers, was “Hotlanta Salsa,” created by the East DeKalb Boys & Girls Club. This delicious creation (recipe below) will be featured at the Roswell Willy’s Mexicana Grill located at 660 West Crossville Road on Thursday, August 1, during an event with the winning team from 11 a.m. -2 p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to try the “Hotlanta Salsa,” win giveaways and more.

“This was the first Salsa, Salsa! event since 2019,” Ippolito said, “and it was a thrill to not only be part of such an energetic competition but also to be able to present our friends and partners at Boys & Girls Club Metro Atlanta with a substantial check to help fund their vital Healthy Lifestyles programs. Judging the event was a real challenge! All the teams did outstanding work, and I can’t wait for Willy’s guests to sample the winning Hotlanta Salsa! Congratulations to all the competitors!”

HOTLANTA SALSA by East DeKalb Boys & Girls Club

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. fresh peaches, diced

• 1 large Roma tomato, diced

• ½ small red onion, diced

• ½ jalapeno, minced

• 2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

• 1 large lime, juiced

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Add chopped peaches, tomatoes, red onion, jalapeno, and cilantro to a medium mixing bowl. Squeeze fresh lime juice and sprinkle salt and pepper over fruit and veggies.

2. Stir to combine ingredients well.

3. Cover and let sit for 15 minutes before serving. Enjoy!