MILFORD, Conn. — Subway Restaurants is celebrating spokesman Jared Fogle's 10-year anniversary of losing and keeping off 245 pounds with a text message sweepstakes that gives consumers the chance to appear in a commercial. The text-to-win campaign also gives consumers a chance to make a donation to the Jared Foundation, a nonprofit organization founded by Fogle that provides grants to schools for fitness and nutrition programs.
Entrants can text the word "Jared" to Subway (782929) through Aug. 10, 2008. The winner will be announced on Aug. 25, 2008. Once a text is submitted, a message inviting the entrant to participate in Fogle's fight against childhood obesity with a donation to the Jared Foundation (www.jaredfoundation.org) will be sent back. The Jared Foundation has a goal of awarding $1 million in grants to schools this year.
Ten years after becoming famous as a college student who created his own weight-loss program that involved a year of daily walks and eating Subway sandwiches, Fogle is officially retiring his "fat pants" at the end of this year. Until then, he is on a nationwide Tour de Pants to raise awareness and funds for his philanthropic programs.
"It's been 10 years and those fat pants are never going to fit me again," says Fogle. "I'm looking forward and I'm focusing my attention on helping children so that they can try to avoid the issues I faced as an overweight young person growing up."
After Fogle created his new three-point plan for childhood obesity prevention, he set out on a cross-country journey to spread his vision for healthier children. With the help of Subway restaurants, Fogle launched his Tour de Pants in New York City last February.
He has made stops at events such as American Heart Association Heart Walks and the Big Ten Basketball Tournament. Schools across the country also have welcomed the Tour de Pants, where Fogle has shared his personal story and offered advice on smart nutrition and exercise choices.
Fogle is focusing his program in three areas:
The Jared Fogle Healthy Lifestyle Nationwide School Grant Program:
- To help schools implement federally mandated wellness policies, The Jared Foundation will offer $20,000 grants to up to 50 schools in 2008.
- Parents in the Know Initiative: Based on his personal experience as a child, Fogle will help parents identify "at risk" obesity behavior early on and re-direct children toward healthy activities they can enjoy for a lifetime. In partnership with a national parenting magazine and local community organizations, The Jared Foundation will launch a multifaceted parent education program on obesity issues.
- Families Get Smart About Dining Out Campaign: Fogle firmly believes that eating out can be enjoyable and healthy, and advocates parents set firm guidelines for kids on what they are allowed to order from the menu ahead of time. In partnership with a national association, Fogle will launch an initiative to show families how easy and fun it can be to dine out and select nutritious items from nearly any menu.
