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Popular Mexican fusion chain Bubbakoo’s Burritos marked its continuing support of Eric LeGrand – a former Rutgers football player who was left paralyzed during a 2010 game – with a $2,500 donation to his nonprofit.

The Point Pleasant-based fast casual’s contribution follows a successful charity appearance by New York Giants quarterback and Jersey native Tommy DeVito at Bubbakoo’s Livingston restaurant in December 2023.

As part of the meet-and-greet, Bubbakoo’s vowed to donate 25% of proceeds from the entire day to Team LeGrand. The funds will help further the foundation’s mission of helping individuals living with spinal cord injury and their families.

In a statement, Bubbakoo’s co-founder Bill Hart said the chain is proud to contribute to the “remarkable work of Team LeGrand.” He added the organization holds “special significance to our brand and truly embodies the definition of resilience.”

“Initiatives like these are a testament to the power of community and the generosity of our guests. Together, we believe in making a tangible difference in the lives of others, and we are grateful for the opportunity to stand alongside such incredible organizations in their ongoing mission to help others,” Hart said.

$2 million and counting

The donation comes about six months after LeGrand was named a brand ambassador for Bubbakoo’s as a result of the chain’s first major gameday promotion with Rutgers Athletics.

LeGrand is an author, sports analyst, business owner and advocate for people with disabilities.

In 2013, he launched Team LeGrand as a fundraising arm for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. The effort aims to help people living with spinal cord injury as well as their families by supporting quality of life initiatives and emerging therapies that will cure SCI. Since then, Team LeGrand has raised well over $2 million in support of that mission.