Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q announced that the North Carolina–based restaurant brand was once again able to support the local St. Baldrick’s—a cancer fundraising effort—team, the Bald Entrepreneurs, this year in their efforts to raise money for research focused on eliminating childhood cancers.
Smithfield’s provided barbecue, side items, hush puppies, and sweet tea for the Bald Entrepreneurs’ post-shave party that continued raising funds even after the day’s earlier shave event. Fundraisers shaved their heads at The Hibernian’s annual fundraiser event on February 27. Smithfield’s provided goodie bags for the 60 team members who shaved their heads that included gift certificates, shirts, and koozies.
“Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q is happy to be part of this most worthy cause. As we are grateful to serve our customers, we are also grateful to serve our community,” says Richard Averitte, marketing director for Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q. “The Bald Entrepreneurs team provides a tremendous amount of support to the St. Baldrick’s program and we are happy to be a part of that effort.”
The Bald Entrepreneurs surpassed their fundraising goal of $35,000 and are now on their way to the $39,000 mark. Chris Wright, founder of the Bald Entrepreneurs team, noted some strong statistics for supporting the group and its participation the in St. Baldrick’s program. Between 2005 and 2009, St. Baldrick’s has issued nearly $42 million in research grants ($12 million in 2009 alone) and funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any other organization, except the U.S. government. The Bald Entrepreneurs team made up approximately 11 percent of the shaves at the local event yet captured nearly 20 percent of all donations for the Hibernian Restaurant & Pub.
