When Todd and Susan LaHaise opened the doors to their first Buffalo Wild Wings back in 2000, they made community involvement one of their top initiatives. Named philanthropic champions thanks to their efforts tied to the Buffalo Wild Wings Foundation and their various initiatives across South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota, community has always come first for the LaHaise Group.

That’s why over the last year, they worked to find opportunities to support first responders and high school graduates while navigating through a year unlike any other.

In May 2020, the LaHaise Group ran a First Responder Gift Card program, where for every $25 gift card purchased, Buffalo Wild Wings would not only give the guest an extra $5 gift card, but they’d also donate an additional $5 toward buying local first responders meals. In total, the LaHaise Group will donate $40,000 in meals across their 12 sports bars in South Dakota, North Dakota and Minnesota.

Additionally, Todd and Susan donated more than $100,000 in Buffalo Wild Wings gift cards as a positive gesture and a way to acknowledge high school seniors who saw their graduation ceremonies altered dramatically.

“This franchise was built on a community-involved foundation. Todd and Susan have continually given back to every community for over 20 years,” said Jeremy Lembke, Director of Operations. “Through good times and bad, we will always be dedicated and support those that ultimately support us.”

To learn more about the ways Inspire and its family of brands support the communities our brands serve, visit Inspire Impact.