IN-STORE PROMOTION AT SHAW’S AND STAR MARKET STORES APRIL 14 – MAY 11 WILL ALLOW PATRONS TO DONATE $3 AT CHECK-OUT AND RECEIVE A TEAM TOM BRADY STICKER WITH ALL PROCEEDS BENEFITTING BEST BUDDIES
MIAMI, FL. APRIL 4, 2017 – Best Buddies International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is excited to announce that it is partnering with Shaw’s Foundation and the Star Market Foundation in an effort to expand Best Buddies programs throughout the U.S.
As part of this newly launched partnership, the foundation is supporting Best Buddies through an in-store consumer and vendor donation program at a total of 153 Shaw’s and Star Market stores throughout New England April 14 – May 11.
Once at the register, customers will be asked if they would like to make a donation to support Team Tom Brady, some of the organization’s strongest fundraisers who participate in the Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port, an annual cycling event in which Tom Brady serves as honorary co-chair, and Best Buddies’ friendship, employment, and leadership development programs for people with IDD. For every $3 donation, guests will receive a take-home Team Tom Brady sticker and also have their names displayed in their local Shaw’s and Star Market store. One hundred percent of the proceeds from this fundraiser will be donated to Best Buddies.
“Best Buddies is incredibly honored and grateful to partner with the Shaw’s Foundation and Star Market Foundation in support of individuals with special needs,” said Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Founder and Chairman of Best Buddies International. “Their dedication to the Best Buddies mission of social inclusion and integrated employment will help bring an even greater awareness to the infinite abilities people with intellectual and developmental disabilities possess, in addition to the resources needed to further expand our programs all across the globe.”
“On behalf of Shaw’s and Star Market, we are incredibly proud to partner with Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Team Tom Brady and the Best Buddies Organization,” said Paul Gossett, President of Shaw’s Supermarkets. “Through our fundraising and awareness campaigns, our goal is to help Best Buddies reach their vision of a world where people with IDD are successfully integrated into schools, workplaces and communities.”
Best Buddies International is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization’s programs help people with IDD form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve their public speaking and self-advocacy skills, and feel valued by society. Currently, Best Buddies programs engage participants in each of the 50 states and in over 50 countries, positively impacting the lives of more than 1.1 million people with and without disabilities around the world. For more information about the organization, please visit bestbuddies.org.
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ABOUT BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL:
Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to more than 2,300 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ eight formal programs — Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies® , Jobs, Ambassadors, and Promoters — engage participants in each of the 50 states and in over 50 countries, positively impacting the lives of more than 1.1 million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org, facebook.com/bestbuddies or twitter.com/bestbuddies.
About the Shaw’s Foundation and Star Market Foundation:
Founded in 2001, the Albertsons Companies Foundation, doing business as the Shaw’s Foundation and Star Market Foundation also formerly the Safeway Foundation, supports causes that impact our customers’ lives. Shaw’s and Star Market stores provide the opportunity to mobilize funding and create awareness in our neighborhoods through the generous contributions by our customers, our employees’ passion and partnerships with our vendors. We focus on giving locally in the areas of health and human services, hunger relief, education and helping people with disabilities. Albertsons Companies and the Albertsons Companies Foundation have invested $2 billion in our neighborhoods since 2001. For more information about the Albertsons Companies Foundation, visit www.albertsonscompaniesfoundation.org.
About Shaw’s & Star Market:
Shaw’s and Star Market are working to become the Favorite Local Supermarket™ in every state in which they operate. Shaw’s is one of the oldest continuously operated supermarkets in the United States with its roots dating to 1860. Star Market, a premier food retailer, has been serving Boston area customers since 1915. Throughout the five New England states, there are 153 Shaw’s and Star Market store locations employing approximately 18,000 employees. For more information about Shaw’s and Star Market, please visit www.shaws.com and www.starmarket.com or connect with us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/starmarket or http://www.facebook.com/Shaws.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Nicole Maddox, Best Buddies International
(Office): 305-374-2233 ext. 343
NicoleMaddox@bestbuddies.org
Teresa Edington, Shaw’s and Star Market
(Office): 508-313-4454
Teresa.edington@shaws.com