Meson Sandwiches is closing 2018 with gratitude and sharing its blessings with the Central Florida community that has embraced the Puerto Rican fast-casual, family owned sandwich company without reservations since it first open here in 2015.
Last year, the company expanded Meso Smiles to all its Central Florida stores. This is an initiative that has successfully run at Meson Sandwiches’ Puerto Rico stores for 4 years, in which donation boxes are placed by the registers for customers to contribute to charity causes. At the end of the year, Meson matches the money raised and distributes it locally.
“Giving back has been engrained in our company’s culture from our very early days,” said Meson President Felipe Perez. “It is our duty as a corporate citizen to give back, but it is also a great honor to be able to do so. “
The Meso Smiles took a festive turn this year and began with a special holiday concert held in Meson’s Lee Vista Promenade restaurant for a good cause. The jazz ensemble of the Lake Nona High School Band performed for guests at the Lee Vista Promenade store in early December. The program included traditional carols and Christmas Latin standards. The Lake Nona High School Band was invited to participate in the 2020 London New Year’s Parade; this represents a tremendous educational and cultural opportunity for the students, but one that comes with a high price tag. Meson contributed to the music program with a $1,000 donation.
Meso Smiles also catered Florida Mall’s Caring Santa, a very special annual event for children with special needs and their families. The children visit with Santa and have a private photo session with him. Necessary adjustments to the environment are made to support the sensory, physical, and other developmental needs of these children., so that they may have a pleasant experience with the jolly ole’ man.
The Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Central Florida was the third organization chosen by the Meso Smiles Initiative. Meson Sandwiches sponsored the mentoring organization’s Christmas event at the OviedoMall, where more than 150 underprivileged children that have been paired with an adult mentor celebrated the season with joy.