Jersey Mike's Serving Up a Month of Giving

The public will be able to satisfy hunger pains and raise money for Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago by eating at Jersey Mike’s Subs during March, dubbed as the restaurant company's Month of Giving.

Jersey Mike's Subs restaurants throughout the Chicago area, including the one in Wheaton's Danada Square, are participating in the fund-raising campaign to serve children and their families. The campaign will culminate in a nationwide event, Jersey Mike’s Make A Difference Day on March 28.

During March, customers can make a donation to Children’s Memorial Hospital at any area Jersey Mike’s store. Customers making a $5 donation will receive six specially branded Jersey Mike’s Silly Bandz and a coupon for a free chip and a drink.  One hundred percent of Silly Bandz sales will be donated to the charity.

On March 28, area residents are invited to make a minimum contribution of a dollar to the Children’s Memorial Hospital in exchange for free regular size sub, although the hope is that customers will respond by giving even more.

Make A Difference Day, at Jersey Mike’s stores nationwide, will benefit more than 60 charities in celebration of the Northeast-style sub franchise’s 55th Anniversary.

"The Children’s Memorial Hospital is honored to be chosen by Jersey Mike's for their special Month of Giving promotion," said Jenny Heimerl, a spokesperson for the hospital. "We believe our kid-focused approach makes a difference—and so do others. ... The hospital is currently engaged in the Heroes for Life campaign to raise a minimum of $600 million to help create the state-of-the-art Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, opening in downtown Chicago in summer 2012.”

Long before “cause-related marketing” became popular, reaching out to the community was a key component of Jersey Mike’s mission, the company said in a prepared statement. Franchise owners find ways to support their neighbors, and employees are encouraged to volunteer their time and talents.

“Early on I learned from my mentors, local businesspeople, the importance of giving back to the community,” said Peter Cancro, Jersey Mike’s founder and CEO. “That is the model I chose for Jersey Mike's, and we have been doing it since the beginning. The philosophy of giving back is important to us and that’s why we chose to celebrate the milestone marking our 55th year with our first ever ‘Make a Difference Day’, a national effort to ensure deserving charities get the funding they need.”

For more information about the Children’s Memorial Hospital and Jersey Mike’s Subs Month of Giving, visit childrensmemorial.org or jerseymikes.com.