August 15, 2006
Dunkin' Donuts store owners raise more rhan $1M for cancer research in one day
New England franchisees have donated nearly $5.5M for the Jimmy Fund
FRANKLIN, Mass. - Dunkin' Donuts store owners in New England yesterday raised more than $1 million for the "Rising Stars" of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's Jimmy Fund through proceeds generated from the 9th Annual Dunkin' Donuts George Mandell Memorial Golf Tournament and auction. The event is consistently the Jimmy Fund's highest grossing fund-raising tournament.
The Dunkin' Donuts New England Distribution Center (NEDCP), whose members are comprised of franchise owners, has donated nearly $5.5 million to the annually selected physician "Rising Stars" since the program's inception in 1998. Rising Stars are doctors at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) leading breakthrough cancer research as yet not backed by federal funding.
"We're thrilled with the success that this event achieves each year through the generosity of our franchisees, vendors, Dunkin' Brands and loyal customers," said John Henderson, Dunkin' Donuts NEDCP tournament chairman. "Cancer has touched so many of us, and we will continue to work side-by-side with Dana-Farber to fight the disease."
More than 200 golfers participated in the tournament and approximately 300 people attended the dinner/auction.
"The goodwill of the Dunkin' Donuts franchisees continues to amaze me each year," said Nancy Rowe, director of the Jimmy Fund Golf Program. "Their commitment to us is incredible, and we hold a special place in our hearts for them."
The Dunkin' Donuts George Mandell Memorial Golf Tournament began in 1998 in honor of George Mandell, a Dunkin' Donuts franchisee who died of cancer. In eight years, his fellow franchise owners have raised nearly $5.5 million for the Jimmy Fund's Rising Stars program at Dana-Farber.
Dunkin' Donuts Northeast Distribution Center Inc. was founded as an independent cooperative in 1982 by the Dunkin' Donuts franchisees who owned the 250 store locations in the region at that time. The franchisees recognized the strength of the Dunkin' Donuts brand, its inevitable growth for the future, and the need to facilitate the distribution of product going forward. Today, they provide goods and services to more than 2,000 Dunkin' Donuts franchise stores in New England and Upstate New York.
