“The franchisees of 7-Eleven, their families, employees and all of our customers recognize what our servicemen and women do for our country and we are honored to be able to give back to them,” says the national chairman of the National Coalition of Associations of 7-Eleven Franchisees.
The National Coalition of Associations of 7-Eleven Franchisees has joined with 7-Eleven Inc. and 13 top suppliers in a nationwide fundraising initiative to support Hire Heroes USA, a non-profit organization offering transition assistance, job search assistance and job placement services to those veterans injured or disabled in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operating Enduring Freedom, the war in Afghanistan.
Last July, at its annual convention in Las Vegas, the National Coalition presented Hire Heroes leadership with a check for $310,000 to support the organization’s transition assistance workshops run at military installations. This year, the National Coalition intends to better that number during an aggressive campaign beginning on May 1 and concluding on June 30.
In concert with its 5,468 franchise-owned 7-Eleven stores, the National Coalition is raising funds through sales of 39 specific products offered by brand-name companies who will donate a portion of each sale to the fundraising effort.
Participating companies include Anheuser-Busch InBev, BIC, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, E. & J. Gallo Winery, The Hershey Company, Kellogg’s, Kraft Foods, Inc., Mars, Inc., MillerCoors, Nestlé Professional, Nestlé Waters, PepsiCo and Perfetti van Melle.
Additionally, over $100,000 is expected to be raised through the Joe Saraceno Memorial Golf Tournament, to be held July 10, 2012 during the National Coalition’s 37th Annual Convention and Trade Show in Hawaii, as well as through donations from the public accepted through the 7-Eleven corporate Website.
In support of this campaign, Dr Pepper-Snapple Group has arranged to have the 7-Eleven Inc., National Coalition, and Hire Heroes logos featured prominently on the Andretti Auto-Sports Indycar, which will compete in the Indianapolis 500 on May 27 and four other races in 2012.
“When we selected Hire Heroes as one of our designated charities three years ago, we were encouraged by their good works and were honored to help support them financially,” stated Bruce Maples, national chairman of the National Coalition. “What we didn’t know, and surely could not have imagined, is that when all is said and done, we will have raised over three quarters of a million dollars for them. The franchisees of 7-Eleven, their families, employees and all of our customers recognize what our servicemen and women do for our country and we are honored to be able to give back to them through our donations to Hire Heroes. On top of that, we’re pleased to be in the middle of this cause equity program during the month of May, which is National Military Month,” Maples concluded.
The National Coalition of Associations of 7-Eleven Franchisees is the national trade group for 7-Eleven storeowners in the U.S., representing the interests of over 3,300 convenience store owners whose 5,468 franchise-owned stores employ nearly 40,000 workers.
