Jersey Mike’s Subs, known for its fresh-sliced and fresh-grilled Jersey Shore-style subs, is launching its fourth annual nationwide awareness and fundraising campaign to benefit Wreaths Across America (WAA). From October 1 through November 11, all Jersey Mike's stores throughout the nation will collect 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.

 

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.

 

This year, Jersey Mike’s hopes to raise even more through a three-part initiative:

 

·     Jersey Mike’s will feature a social “Giving Menu,” a takeoff on today’s popular dollar menus, and encourage fans and followers to share the WAA story via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Jersey Mike’s will donate$1 for each social action made, up to $25,000. Customers can tweet #givingmenu, upload a photo and tag it #givingmenu, share or tweet the giving menu, or follow/like social media pages to receive the match.

·      From October 1 through November 11, Jersey Mike’s will encourage customers to make a donation to WAA in all of its restaurants. $1-, $3-, and $5-tear sheets will be available at each counter to make donations easy.

·      On Veterans Day weekend, November 9-11, anyone who makes a donation to WAA at his or her local Jersey Mike’s will receive a free cookie as a thank you.

“We are honored to participate in such an important initiative recognizing the men and women who have sacrificed their lives to protect our freedom,” says Peter Cancro, Jersey Mike's founder and CEO. “As we pay thanks to our veterans this year, Jersey Mike's will proudly join and support Wreaths Across America in its mission to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and their families, and teach our children the value of freedom."

Along with recognizing the sacrifices of the past and present, WAA counts educating children as one of the chief missions of its campaign. Each year many students make the annual trip to Arlington National Cemetery to participate in the wreath-laying ceremonies.

 

"It is so important that we teach our children about the heritage and history of our veterans so they understand it is because of these heroes that we are free," says Karen Worcester, executive director, Wreaths Across America. "We always talk about the importance of teaching by example, and Jersey Mike's is doing just that through its participation with our program."

 

This year, National Wreaths Across America Day takes place on Saturday, December 14, 2013, at Arlington National Cemetery and nearly 900 additional locations across the country. The events begin with a weeklong 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 each year.