Flancer’s fundraising events, auctions raise $36,000 for disabled U.S. soldiers

Flancer’s Incredible Sandwiches and Pizzeria raised a record $36,000 this year to benefit Warfighter Sports/Disabled Sports USA, says restaurant owner Jeff Flancer.

“Thanks to all the folks who supported our events, raffles and auctions to benefit this nonprofit organization that helps the war-injured participate in sports-related rehabilitation programs,” Flancer says.

The $36,000 easily surpasses the $29,000 raised by the Gilbert and Mesa restaurants last year. Since 2005, Flancer’s has helped raise more than $165,000 for the organization.

The annual fundraising events included a Rogue beer dinner, a cigar and microbrew pairing, and the restaurant’s 13th annual pizza-eating contest (winner Gus Beisel pictured above with Flancer and Miss Arizona Piper Stoeckel).

Raffle prize winners

• $1,000 cash from Villa Siena wedding receptions: Sue Urban
• $1,250 gift certificate for furniture from Norwood Furniture: Tamara Klimw
• Two round-trip Southwest Airline tickets valued at up to $800: David Johnson
• Maddy’s Pool Supply & Service-sponsored $1,000 Best Buy shopping spree: Greg Jensen
• Tap Electric-sponsored $1,000 Fry’s food shopping spree: Tim York
• 10 $100 dining certificates for great East Valley restaurants: Judee Blaich

A $720 silent-auction prize sponsored by Unifirst of two Phoenix Coyotes hockey seats on the glass, with food and drink in the VIP club and a parking pass for the last game of season, was won by Dean Descourouez.

Earlier: Flancer’s Pizza Eating Contest comes down to thrilling finish