QRC Applebee’s awards Action Trackchairs to Veterans
HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) — Applebee’s franchisee, Quality Restaurant Concepts, LLC (QRC) awarded Action Trackchairs to two veterans in Hixson this afternoon. Trackchairs are like wheelchairs, but they allow more mobility.
They help Veterans with disabilities maneuver in tough, uneven terrain. It can also allow them to go over curbs and through sand.
The QRC Applebee’s awarded the Trackchairs to local U.S. Marine Veterans Ron Jarnagin and Steven Lenker.
Lenker is an Army and Navy veteran as well.
“This gives me back a lot of my freedom that I love. Because I love to hunt. I love to fish. And I wasn’t able to do a lot of that because of my injuries,” Lenker said. “My little grandson also, who has spina bifida, he can’t wait to do some of this stuff with me.”
Over the past eight years, Applebee’s has raised over $500,000 and provided 43 Trackchairs to Veterans.
During each November, they hold fundraisers at all locations by selling $2 blondie and brownie bites. All proceeds go directly to the purchase of Trackchairs.
“Thank God, Applebee’s and the Trackchair people,” Jarnagin said. “It’s a great gift, and I appreciate them doing this stuff.”
In addition, Applebee’s Regional Manager Bobby Prince expressed how exciting this fundraising is. He said it is one of his favorites from his 20 years working with Applebee’s.
This year, the company raised over $73,000 to donate five total Trackchairs, according to Prince.