In the News

Giving Back - Making a Difference in Someone's Life

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

When Ron Longo, an Atlanta-area franchisee lost his grandson Benjamin Felder in 2006, he wanted to do something to honor Ben’s memory. When Atlanta area franchisees wanted to make a difference with a local charity, they had an easy time deciding what charity to support. The 30 Atlanta area locations teamed up to make a donation on Ben’s behalf to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. The donation was a way for Longo to honor his grandson and also a way to thank the men and women of Children's for their love and support in their treatment of Ben. During April of 2007, the Atlanta stores donated $1 for every #13 sandwich that was sold. They raised $20,300 for Children's. Ben Felder's mom, brother, grandmother and grandfather Ron were all on hand for the check presentation. The money went to the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s.

Autism Speaks

Jersey Mike’s Charlotte area stores owners cared about kids with autism. So they decided to do something about it. On Sunday, October 29, 2006, Jersey Mike’s 20 Charlotte area stores donated 50% of their sales from the day to benefit Autism Speaks, an international non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness of autism and raising money to fund autism research. The total donation amounted to $9,319. Autism is a complex brain disorder that inhibits a person’s ability to communicate and develop social relationships, and is often accompanied by extreme behavioral challenges. One in 166 children is now diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder, including one in 104 boys.  Another child is diagnosed every 20 minutes.

FoodBank of Monmouth & Ocean Counties

Local franchisees at the Jersey Shore wanted to make a difference in the community, so they teamed up with The Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties to help feed children during the summer months when school feeding programs are inactive. The Co-op donated $1.00 for every giant #13 and $.50 for every regular #13 sold during May 2006. The program resulted in a $7,609 donation presented to the Foodbank. The Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties distributes over 3 million pounds of food a year through its 275 feeding programs in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, NJ. Almost 70,000 people, many of them working poor, are served each year including 19,000 children.

American Red Cross

During September 2007, North Carolina’s Triangle-based Jersey Mike’s stores partnered with the American Red Cross to increase awareness for the need of life-saving donations. As an incentive to Triangle residents, over 20 Jersey Mike’s Subs located throughout the Raleigh-Durham area pledged to give a free combo meal to anyone who donated blood by way of the American Red Cross Triangle donation centers. The partnership between Jersey Mike’s Subs and the American Red Cross drove 2,074 people into the four Triangle donation centers, and resulted in doubling the amount of donations during the months. Plus, 2,074 people enjoyed a free lunch on Jersey Mike’s.

St. John's Healthcare Foundation

Jersey Mike’s stores in Ventura County, CA wanted to give back to the communities they serve. So they sold #13 subs for a great cause. For every #13 sold in each of the area’s ten stores during October 2007, $1.00 was donated to St. John’s Healthcare Foundation benefiting St. John’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The St. John’s NICU  team provides high tech and high touch care to the tiniest to the largest newborn babies of the Community. They have the most active neonatal transport team in the area and serve families from all over Ventura County. Jersey Mike’s stores raised $15,013 for the cause, which was designated to purchase another much needed incubator for the neonatal intensive care unit.

Dennis Walters Golf Show

“If there is something you really want to do – no matter how impossible it may seem – with enough hard work and perseverance you can do it,” says Dennis Walters. He should know. Dennis is the only person paralyzed below the waist who earns a living as a professional golfer. The Dennis Walters Show tours the country each summer bringing its unique, entertaining and inspirational program to children ages 8-18. Dennis’ program is one not only of golf lessons, but also life lessons as he tells his life story and challenges the audience to reach for their dreams. Wherever Dennis spreads his inspirational message, Jersey Mike’s is there handing out free subs to the kids and supporting this important cause.