Jersey Mike’s holds event, donating 100% of sales to Kansas City-area charity
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Wednesday was Jersey Mike’s “Day of Giving,” and locations in the Kansas City metro gave 100% of their sales to Braden’s Hope for Childhood Cancer, a local charity.
“Every dollar we make is donated, not just profits, everything that we bring in is donated to our local charity,” said Justin Feuerborn, the owner of the Jersey Mike’s in Overland Park.
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Deliece Hofen is Braden’s mother and the founder of the organization.
“I don’t think I’ve heard of another company that does that,” Hofen said. “They don’t take out for their food costs, or their labor costs, it’s literally 100%. You spend $10; $10 goes to Braden’s hope.”
They hope to raise $250,000 between 13 stores across Kansas and Missouri.
Braden’s Hope raises money to fund pediatric cancer research. Hofen started the organization after Braden had multiple battles with cancer. Braden was first diagnosed with neuroblastoma at the age of 3. At age 5, he relapsed and according to Deliece, he was only given a 10% chance to live.
The treatment he received for neuroblastoma would eventually cause Braden to be diagnosed with leukemia.
The money raised on Wednesday will go to fund research on “targeted treatments that are less toxic to these children’s bodies so that they can live a longer life with fewer side effects.”
“Braden is currently 19 years old, he was able to survive and is in remission from both of his cancers,” Hofen said.
The effects of Braden’s story have been felt across the community. Students from Aubry Bend Middle School were at the location in south Overland Park on Wednesday.
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“[Braden] went to our school and he had the same teacher that I have now,” said one student.
“She had a little presentation basically showing that if we go to Jersey Mike’s then 100% of the funds go to Braden’s Hope,” his classmate said.
Hofen said the community had been showing up all day.
“The community is really unique. We’re going to put our arms around one another and care for one another and that’s exactly what they’ve done for these children,” Hofen said.
Feuerborn agreed.
“I didn’t realize how special it was until we started doing it and the turnout that showed up. And yeah, the support from the community really shows how important this day is,” Feuerborn said.
The restaurants will continue to donate a portion of their proceeds to Braden’s Hope for the rest of the month.
