By Press Release Submitted to OnMilwaukee.com Published Jul 08, 2016 at 11:31 AM

Local philanthropy is a cornerstone of BelAir Cantina. Our company is dedicated to improving the communities we serve not just by providing a venue to gather and celebrate, but also through sponsoring local nonprofits that share our values.

For the past three years, BelAir Cantina has selected a local organization that is making a tremendous impact on our community to receive at least $25,000 in proceeds from sales of a custom taco, through the Powered By Tacos collaboration.

"Having a deep and meaningful connection to the communities that we serve is a driving force for us," said Andrew Miller, Director of Operations of BelAir Cantina. "We are dedicated not only to providing a welcoming environment for friends and families to gather, but also enriching the lives of those around us," stated Miller.

We are excited and proud to announce that Playworks will be the next Powered By Tacos (PBT) award recipient. Playworks is a national nonprofit that transforms school culture by increasing opportunities for safe, meaningful play, improving the social, emotional and physical well-being of children, critical drivers of academic success.

Already impacting more than 10,000 children in 20 schools, Playworks aims to bring safe and healthy play to 100,000 children in 10 school districts in Wisconsin within five years. "Not only is BelAir Cantina serious about contributing to the community in a meaningful and significant way, the passion and spirit of their people are a great match for the Playworks way. We look forward to fun and tacos as BelAir helps us bring safe and healthy play to more children," offered Executive Director, Deborah Lukovich.

Past recipients of the PBT award include 2014 Tosa Skate Park and 2015 Urban Ecology Center.

"BelAir Cantina's Powered by Taco program is brilliant! As the recipient of their kindness last year, our two organizations – the Urban Ecology Center and BelAir Cantina – formed a strong bond that proved to be mutually beneficial for both parties involved. The staff of BelAir are incredible! The generosity of giving the proceeds from the taco that we jointly created was both creative and impactful.

"The generous proceeds from the Powered by Tacos program allowed the Urban Ecology Center to increase the options in our Equipment Lending program – including paddleboards for the first time! Perhaps, however, even most powerful were the easy friendships formed and the authentic way we were able to each help the other. We brought customers to them and were able to help with space needs for workshops and even parking, while they assisted us by hosting important visitors in town and promoting our mission to their customers. This was one of the best crafted corporate/nonprofit partnerships I've experienced in my 18 years as an Executive Director in Milwaukee," said Ken Leinbach, executive director at the Urban Ecology Center.