Fourth annual nationwide awareness campaign featured social media fundraising through #givingmenu
COLUMBIA FALLS, Maine — Wreaths Across America (WAA), a nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and other cemeteries across the country, today announced that Jersey Mike’s, a nationwide sub sandwich franchise, has donated $305,000 to support its mission to Remember the fallen, Honor those who serve and their families, and Teach our children the value of freedom.
From Oct. 1 through Nov. 11, all Jersey Mike's locations throughout the nation collected donations for the nonprofit organization, which lays hundreds of thousands of remembrance wreaths at the headstones of the nation's veterans during the holiday season. This is the fourth consecutive year that the company has held a fundraising campaign for WAA. This year’s campaign consisted of a three-part initiative:
Social “Giving Menu.” Fans and followers were encouraged to share the WAA story via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Jersey Mike’s donated $1 for each social action made, for a total of $25,000.
In-store donations were accepted in all of its restaurants. $1-, $3-, and $5-tear sheets for purchase at the counter.
On Veterans Day weekend, anyone who made a donation to WAA at his or her local Jersey Mike’s received a free cookie as a thank you.
“The veterans we honor committed themselves unselfishly at the most critical moments in our nation’s history,” said Karen Worcester, WAA’s executive director. “The generous support of the wonderful people at Jersey Mike’s, ensures that we will be able to continue our efforts in remembrance of these brave men and women.”
Last year, Jersey Mike’s, along with its generous franchisees, employees and customers, raised $218,282 for WAA. The money raised helped WAA lay more than 110,000 wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery on National Wreaths Across America Day in December 2012.
The money raised this year will help WAA lay 150,000 wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery and elsewhere on National Wreaths Across America Day, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013.
“We want to give thanks to all our generous customers, fans and followers who helped raise more than $300,000 for Wreaths Across America through their in-store and online efforts,” said Peter Cancro, Jersey Mike’s founder and CEO. “Experiencing the wreath-laying at Arlington National Cemetery and at other locations across the country is an unforgettable experience, reinforcing the importance of Wreaths Across America’s mission.”
The events begin with a week-long annual pilgrimage from Harrington, Maine, to Arlington National Cemetery to deliver the wreaths. Known as the world’s largest veterans parade, the Wreaths Across America convoy stops at schools, monuments, veterans’ homes and communities along the way to remind people of the organization’s mission to teach younger generations about the value of their freedom and the importance of honoring those who sacrificed their lives to protect those freedoms. This year, the caravan makes a special stop at the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor on Dec. 11.
About Wreaths Across America
Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman, Morrill Worcester, in 1992. The organization’s mission, Remember, Honor, Teach, is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath laying ceremonies each December at Arlington, as well as hundreds of veterans’ cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond. For more information, to donate or to sign up to volunteer, please visit www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org.
About Jersey Mike’s
Jersey Mike’s, a fast-casual sub sandwich franchise with more than 750 locations open and under development nationwide, has a long history of community involvement and support. Started at the Jersey Shore in 1956, Jersey Mike’s serves authentic Jersey Shore-style subs on fresh baked bread – the same recipe it started with over 50 years ago. The company’s mission is to bring its customers the highest quality, freshest made sub in the industry and give back to the communities in which it operates. A store locator and franchise information for Jersey Mike’s can be found at www.jerseymikes.com.
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