May 1, 2006
Help the Jimmy Fund at the movies
Calling all volunteers for historic fundraising program
Calling all movie lovers with big hearts and a few spare hours to spend raising money for cancer research. The Jimmy Fund/Variety Children's Charities Theatre Collections Program is looking for volunteers to help pass collection canisters following the showing of a brief film about the Jimmy Fund at their nearby National Amusements theaters.
From June 23 to July 30 at theaters in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, volunteers are needed to help collect more than $600,000 for the Jimmy Fund, which supports lifesaving cancer research and care at New England's top cancer hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
This program first began in 1949 and is the Jimmy Fund's oldest annual fundraising effort. In its early years, the Theatre Program attracted the support of such stars as Jimmy Cagney, Loretta Young, Bing Crosby, and baseball's Ted Williams.
"We consider all of the volunteers who help with this program to be our 'stars,'" says Mike Andrews, chairman of the Jimmy Fund and former Red Sox second baseman. "No matter how many Hollywood personalities come forward to support the Jimmy Fund, it still comes down to the day-to-day efforts of caring community members that has made the difference in the fight against cancer."
Volunteers receive gifts depending on how much time they commit to the program. These range from a Jimmy Fund T-shirt, to an invitation to a Red Sox game for the volunteer and a guest. Those who volunteer for at least four four-hour shifts also get their name entered into a drawing for two round-trip American Airline tickets to anywhere in the continental United States.
Information about how to get involved in this star-studded fundraising effort is available at www.jimmyfund.org or by calling Sara at (617) 582-8342. Long associated with the entertainment industry and children's charities, the Variety Club of New England, which helped to found the Jimmy Fund, originated the Theatre Collections Program. It has helped to raise more than $28 million since its inception.
