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Jersey Mike's raises $300K for Arlington National Cemetery wreaths

December 13, 2013

Jersey Mike's has donated $305,000 to Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit organization created to expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery and other cemeteries across the country.

From Oct. 1 through Nov. 11, all Jersey Mike's locations collected donations for the organization, which lays hundreds of thousands of remembrance wreaths at the headstones of the nation's veterans during the holiday season. This is the fourth consecutive year that the company has held a fundraising campaign for WAA. This year's campaign consisted of a three-part initiative:

• Social "Giving Menu." Fans 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; $1-, $3-, and $5-tear sheets for purchase at the counter.
• On Veterans Day weekend, anyone who made a donation to WAA at his or her local Jersey Mike's received a free cookie as a thank you.

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 Dec. 14.

"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," said 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."

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