Jennifer Hudson's Design Shines on New '7-Eleven Coffee Cup With A Cause'

CHICAGO and DALLAS, April 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Oscar and Grammy award-winner Jennifer Hudson chose a candle to light up the side of the second celebrity-designed "7-Eleven® Coffee Cup With A Cause."  Hudson's cup goes on sale today at participating 7-Eleven stores across the U.S. and will be available through May 31 or while supplies last.  Proceeds from the cup featuring Hudson's personal design will benefit her designated charity, Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

Hudson made a surprise appearance at a Chicago-area Boys & Girls Clubs of America location March 31 to formally announce her partnership with 7-Eleven and officially launch the cup's sales.  Featuring a brightly burning candle as the focal point, the cup is inscribed with the words "Light of Peace" in Hudson's handwriting.

"7-Eleven's 'Coffee Cup With A Cause' program not only lets  me give back to an organization that really helped me while I was growing up in Chicago," Hudson said, "but also is an opportunity to tell others about the great work this organization continues to do.  The Boys & Girls Clubs provide safe places for kids to learn and grow, not just in Chicago but across our country and on U.S. military bases around the world."

Throughout 2010, 7-Eleven will introduce limited-edition 20-ounce coffee cups designed by entertainment and sports celebrities to be sold in its U.S. stores.  Proceeds from sales of the cups benefit the featured celebrity's charity of choice.  These cups can be filled with any 7-Eleven hot beverage and customized with a selection of creams, syrups and spices at no extra charge.

"We know worthwhile social causes are important to our customers, and 'Cups With A Cause' provides them an easy way to support different organizations throughout the year while enjoying a great cup of coffee," said Rita Bargerhuff, 7-Eleven chief marketing officer. "By partnering with a variety of celebrities and charities like Jennifer Hudson and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, our customers can help make a positive impact on thousands of lives."

While 7-Eleven guarantees a minimum donation of $250,000 to each charity, donations could reach as high as $300,000, depending on the number of cups sold.  Consumers can drive up donations through the purchase of the celebrity-designed cups.

7-Eleven's "Coffee Cup With A Cause" program was introduced at the 2009 Noble Awards held last October.  The Noble Awards recognize charities, celebrities and their humanitarian works.  

More information about the "7-Eleven Cups With a Cause" program can be found at www.cupwithacause.com, www.facebook.com/7Eleven and www.twitter.com/7Eleven.   

About 7-Eleven, Inc.

7-Eleven, Inc. is the premier name and largest chain in the convenience retailing industry. Based in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven operates franchises or licenses more than 8,100 7-Eleven® stores in North America.  Globally, 7-Eleven operates franchises or licenses close to 37,500 stores in 16 countries. During 2008, 7-Eleven stores worldwide generated total sales of more than $53.7 billion.  7-Eleven has been honored by a number of companies and organizations recently.  Accolades include:  #3 spot on Entrepreneur magazine's Franchise 500 list for 2009, #3 in Forbes magazine's Top 20 Franchises to Start, #3 among Top 100 Global Franchises by Franchise Direct, #3 in Store Growth by Convenience Store News, #2 in Franchise Times Top 200 Franchise Companies and #29 among Top 100 Chains in Food Service.  In addition, Hispanic Magazine's named 7-Eleven in its Hispanic Corporate Top 100 Companies that provide the most opportunities to Hispanics.  7-Eleven recently was selected by three diversity publications as a company offering the best career and franchisee opportunities.  7-Eleven is franchising its stores in the U.S., and is expanding through organic growth, acquisitions and its Business Conversion Program. Find out more online at www.7-Eleven.com.

About Boys & Girls Club of America

For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has enabled young people, especially those who need Clubs most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs serve more than 4 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs can be found throughout the country and on U.S. military installations worldwide, providing young people 6-18 years old with guidance-oriented character development programs conducted by trained, professional staff. Key programs emphasize leadership development; education and career exploration; community service; technology training; financial literacy; health and life skills; the arts; sports, fitness and recreation; and family outreach. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.

About the Noble Humanitarian Awards

The Noble Humanitarian Awards are produced on behalf of the Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.  With the staging of the first annual awards on October 18, 2009, the Celebrity Charity Awards Corporation will launch a year-round campaign to better unify the efforts of charities with celebrities, influencers, media and everyday citizens in order to create an effective forum for change and service.  For more information, please visit www.thenobleawards.org.

SOURCE 7-Eleven, Inc.