Fall Fundraiser at Hardee’s Locations Raises More Than $97,600
RICHMOND, Va. (Nov. 19, 2015) – Customers at Hardee’s® restaurants operated by Boddie-Noell Enterprises across Virginia gave a record-setting $97,644 to Special Olympics Virginia for athletes to attend the organization’s upcoming summer games. The proceeds came from customers who paid $1 for a Star and received a coupon sheet good for specific Hardee’s menu items during the recent four-week campaign. It is by far the largest-ever amount raised by Hardee’s locations in the 35-year partnership between franchise operator Boddie-Noell and Special Olympics Virginia.
The Hardee’s Star fundraising campaign helps more than 550 Special Olympics athletes participate in the 2016 edition of this annual community event. Raising the most in this year’s campaign were customers at the Hardee’s at Celebration Station in Virginia Beach. In second place was the Hardee’s in Gloucester followed by the Hardee’s location in Stuart. All 176 Hardee’s locations in Virginia operated by Boddie-Noell participated in this year’s campaign by selling the Stars.
“We’re very proud of our Hardee’s locations that did so well this year and especially for our generous customers who stepped up to support these wonderful athletes by purchasing the Star and receiving the coupons,” said Terry Lewis, president of Boddie-Noell’s Hardee’s Restaurant Operations and a board member of Special Olympics Virginia.
“As a result of this Herculean effort, Special Olympics athletes from all over the Commonwealth will attend the Summer Games,” said Rick Jeffrey, president of Special Olympics Virginia. “They will also experience all of the respect, inclusion and unity the Games have to offer as well as much-needed access to free healthcare in the areas of dentistry, optometry, audiology and fitness. Boddie-Noell and Hardee’s support of Special Olympics Virginia is unmatched!”
Boddie-Noell Enterprises, the largest Hardee’s franchise operator in the United States, has been partners with the Special Olympics Virginia for 35 years, has now contributed in excess of $1.5 million to the organization over that time. Boddie-Noell owns and operates all Hardee’s franchise restaurants across Virginia.
In addition to the 2015 Fall fundraiser, in 2016 Boddie-Noell will sponsor the Polar Plunge Fest in Virginia Beach on Feb. 5th & 6th, and in Dumfries, Richmond and the New RiverValley on Feb. 27th. The company will again sponsor the Summer Games in mid-June.
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with and without intellectual disabilities. Participation provides them with continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
To learn more about the Special Olympics Virginia visit www.specialolympicsva.org.
