Pizza Pizza Celebrates Fifth Anniversary of Slices for Smiles Foundation

Pizza Pizza is celebrating National Pizza Month this October to honour all things pie! In celebration of one of the nation’s favourite comfort foods and most-ordered delivery items, Pizza Pizza will be putting on their smiles for the fifth anniversary of a fundraising tradition with the bi-annual Slices for Smiles program.

“We sell over 13 million slices of pizza per year across the country, which shows just how much Canadians love their pizza,” said Pat Finelli, Chief Marketing Officer for Pizza Pizza. “Together, pizza and fundraising create the perfect recipe for success. Our team is excited to put their fundraising skills to work to once again benefit such a worthy cause.”

The Slices for Smiles campaign takes place from October 17 to 30 to benefit Children’s Miracle Network. Pizza Pizza will donate a portion of the proceeds from its $2 “smile” pizzas and its $4.99 12″ medium pepperoni pizzas to Children’s Miracle Network hospitals in Canada. All traditional restaurant locations across Canada will offer the special 10″ half pizza, which features a smile composed of eight slices of pepperoni, available only during the fundraiser.

Pizza lovers can also support the fundraiser by adding a donation to orders placed by phone, online, in-store and through the Pizza Pizza iPhone App, or by texting the word “MIRACLE” to 45678 to donate $5 to Children’s Miracle Network from their Rogers, Bell or Telus phone. Pizza Pizza will team up with athletes throughout the month to drive home fundraising efforts with pizza parties at local restaurants.

“Pizza Pizza has always been passionate about children’s causes,” said John Hartman, Chief Operating Officer, Canada for Children’s Miracle Network. “Through their Slices for Smiles program, they have taken this commitment to a new level and provide much needed funds to local children’s hospitals who support critical care, leading edge research and educational programs. We are ever grateful to Pizza Pizza and their customers for joining this noble effort.”

The Slices for Smiles Foundation was created in 2007 during National Pizza Month to commemorate Pizza Pizza’s 40^th anniversary. The 2011 campaign kicked off this April, reaching its fundraising goal of $100,000 in part through the sale of more than 120,000 smile pizzas for only one week that month. Since 2007, the campaign has raised over $700,000 for children’s charities in Canada.

For more information or to donate to the Slices for Smiles program, visit www.pizzapizza.ca.

Throughout the month of October, Miracle Balloons will be available for purchase in Little Caesars locations for $1. One hundred percent of the proceeds will directly benefit the Children’s Miracle Network at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Sharon Robinson, manager, Children’s Miracle Network at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta said, “We are grateful for the partnership with Little Caesars and their desire to support the patients and families at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.  All funds raised will directly benefit trauma services at Children’s — helping ensure that patients receive the highly specialized treatment they need — when they need it.”

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals raise funds for 170 children’s hospitals across North America, which, in turn, use the money where it’s needed the most. As of 2011, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has raised more than $4.3 billion — most of which is donated a dollar or two at a time.

The Atlanta area Little Caesars stores have partnered with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta in the past to bring children from the hospitals, and their families, to the Monster Jam event at the Georgia Dome, as well as various local school community programs throughout the year.

Lone Star Steakhouse’s new Triple Chocolate Miracle Cake is a rich, flavorful and decadent dessert that will be available at all Lone Star Steakhouse locations nationwide.  Proceeds from the sale of each serving of Triple Chocolate Miracle Cake will benefit the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital nearest each Lone Star Steakhouse location. Lone Star Steakhouse has set a goal to raise more than $100,000 for the nearly 60 Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals benefiting from this campaign. To find a restaurant near you, visit www.lonestarsteakhouse.com.

“Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is proud to partner with Lone Star Steakhouse restaurants to further our mission of raising funds for children’s hospitals,” said John Lauck, president and CEO of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. “Lone Star Steakhouse embodies a commitment to the communities in which they operate and I know that together we will make miracles happen for local kids.”

“I am incredibly excited about our new partnership with Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and know that every one of our Lone Star Steakhouse restaurants will enjoy being part of something special to help children in our local communities,” said Patrick Droesch, President and COO, Lone Star Steakhouse  ”The best part of this partnership is that money raised in local restaurants will stay in individual communities across the United States and help the nearest Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.”

Like all Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals fundraisers, the funds raised from the Lone Star Steakhouse “Miracle Cake” campaign will help create miracles by funding medical care, research and education that saves and improves the lives of 17 million children treated at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals each year.

IHOP’s “Stacks for Good Acts” online contest invites good Samaritans to submit a story of 250 words or less at www.IHOPPancakeDay.com about a good deed they or someone they know did in 2010. Entries will be judged on emotional impact, originality and entertainment value. One grand prize entry will receive free pancakes for one year.

Entries can be submitted online starting today, and the contest ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on February 25, 2011. The winner will be announced on National Pancake Day, Tuesday, March 1, 2011. They will receive free pancakes for a year (defined as one free short stack of buttermilk pancakes per day for 365 days) at IHOP. Complete “Stacks for Good Acts” contest rules can be found at www.IHOPPancakeDay.com.

“National Pancake Day is IHOP’s way of saying thank you and helping kids in need,” said Jean Birch, IHOP president. ”We’re excited to hear about our guests’ good deeds and to reward one of them for an extraordinary act.”

On National Pancake Day, Tuesday, March 1, 2011, IHOP will give guests one free short stack of its signature buttermilk pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at more than 1,500 restaurants throughout the United States. In return, IHOP will ask guests to make a voluntary donation to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and other local charities. Additionally, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals’ “Miracle Balloons” will be sold for $1 and $5 each and will be personalized and displayed at participating IHOP restaurants from February 1 through March 1, 2011. Miracle Balloons offer guests an additional way to show their support of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and contribute to the IHOP National Pancake Day fundraising effort.

IHOP launched its National Pancake Day fundraising effort in 2006 with the goal to benefit the communities in which it operates. Last year’s fundraiser was the largest one-day event in IHOP’s 52-year history as four million pancakes were given away and more than $2.1 million was raised for local children’s hospitals and other worthy causes.

For more information about National Pancake Day, to find a local IHOP, or to donate to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, please visit www.IHOPPancakeDay.com.

October 27 will kick off Bruegger’s first company-wide fundraising program with Children’s Miracle Network. The bagel chain, with 299 locations in 26 states, will support the charity by donating a portion of proceeds from sales of its popular Bottomless Mug Club. Guests who purchase the mug will not only receive unlimited free refills of coffee, tea or soft drinks for a full year — they’ll also contribute to a great cause. Every mug purchased between Oct. 27 and Dec. 31, 2010 will help sick and injured children by supporting children’s hospitals in Bruegger’s markets.

To give all their guests a taste of the savings – and Bruegger’s delicious Green Mountain Coffee – the chain will host a Free Coffee Day at all of its locations on Wednesday, November 10 until 2 p.m. Guests can get into the fundraising efforts that day by donating their spare change (or more) at canisters located at the register. Bruegger’s hopes to raise $100,000 this year to benefit children’s hospitals in the neighborhoods it serves.

“We have a strong commitment to our local communities,” said Bruegger’s CEO, Jim Greco. “Children’s Miracle Network reflects these core values and allows everyone associated with Bruegger’s – our guests, employees and franchisees – to make miracles happen in their own neighborhoods.”

Bruegger’s estimates that Bottomless Mug Club members save more than $300 per year by taking advantage of the year long refills of coffee, tea and soda.

“By raising money for Children’s Miracle Network, Bruegger’s is giving its customers an opportunity to help kids and families in their communities while enjoying a cup of their favorite coffee,” said Shirley Rogers, senior vice president, Children’s Miracle Network. “Each dollar stays local, so Bruegger’s customers will be supporting a children’s hospital near them.”

Bruegger’s “Bottomless Mugs” are sold at Bruegger’s 299 locations, while supplies last. Locations and hours of operation can be found at www.brueggers.com.

Since beginning its National Pancake Day celebration in 2006, IHOP has raised more than $3.25 million to support charities in the communities in which it operates. While IHOP’s National Pancake Day typically takes place on Shrove Tuesday, this year the company will host its free pancake event on Tuesday, February 23, extending the fundraising window by one week to maximize donations for Children’s Miracle Network. With your help, we hope to raise $5 million in five years for Children’s Miracle Network and other local charities through your donations in 2010!

For more information, visit http://www.ihoppancakeday.com.