Jersey Mike’s Donates $305,000 to Veteran Nonprofit

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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, announced that Jersey Mike’s, a nationwide sub sandwich franchise, donated $305,000 to support its mission to remember the fallen, honor those who serve and their families, and teach children the value of freedom.

From October 1 through November 11, Jersey Mike’s locations throughout the U.S. collected donations for the nonprofit organization. This is the fourth consecutive year the company held a fundraising campaign for WAA. This year’s campaign consisted of a three-part initiative.

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, and on Veterans Day weekend, anyone who made a donation to WAA at a Jersey Mike’s received a free cookie.

“The veterans we honor committed themselves unselfishly at the most critical moments in our nation’s history,” says 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 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, December 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,” says 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 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 along the way to remind people of the organization’s mission to teach younger generations about the value of their freedom. This year, the caravan makes a special stop at the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor on December 11.