Dunkin' Donuts Announces 20th Year Of Support For The Jimmy Fund

CANTON, Mass., Aug. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- For the 20^th year, Dunkin' Donuts, America's all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods, will support Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund in its global fight against cancer. New England Dunkin' Donuts franchisees are committed to the Jimmy Fund, having raised $10.7 million since 1992. This year, Dunkin' Donuts will continue to support the Jimmy Fund through several fundraising events and campaigns in August.

From August 4 through August 12, Dunkin' Donuts will conduct an in-store campaign where guests at participating restaurants in Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire can contribute $1.00 to support the Jimmy Fund and The Dunkin' Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation. Guests who contribute $1.00 will receive a paper cup icon that they can sign and place on the walls of their local Dunkin' Donuts restaurant.

In addition, on August 4 and August 5, Dunkin' Donuts will support the 33^rd annual Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) bike-a-thon to raise money for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund for the sixth consecutive year. Since 2006, Dunkin' Donuts has contributed $140,000 to the PMC. Over the years, Dunkin' Donuts has fueled thousands of PMC participants — who come together to raise money for adult and pediatric cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber —  by serving  approximately 45,000 cups of hot coffee and thousands of bagels and muffins to cyclists, volunteers and spectators.

New England Dunkin' Donuts franchisees have raised more than $8 million for the Jimmy Fund through funds generated from an annual Dunkin' Donuts George Mandell Memorial Golf Tournament and auction. The event was created by franchisee members of the Dunkin' Donuts New England Distribution Center (NEDCP) in honor of George Mandell, a Dunkin' Donuts franchisee who died of cancer. Last year alone, the tournament raised approximately $550,000 and each year it continues to pay tribute to members of the Dunkin' Donuts community impacted by cancer. This year, the 14^th Annual George Mandell Memorial Golf Tournament and auction will be held on August 13 at The International Golf Club in Bolton, Mass. For more information, visit http://ddgeorgemandellgolf.com.

Finally, Dunkin' Donuts will support the 11^th annual WEEI/NESN Jimmy Fund Radio-Telethon on August 21 and 22, which broadcasts compelling stories from Dana-Farber patients, doctors, researchers, nurses, celebrity guests and athletes over 36 hours. This year marks the 11^th year Dunkin' Donuts has sponsored the event, and again this year, local Dunkin' Donuts representatives will be on-site as volunteers to answer phones during the event. Visit http://www.jimmyfund.org/eve/event/redsox-radio-telethon/default.html for more information.

"Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is thrilled to have generous donors like Dunkin' Donuts franchisees and their guests supporting its cancer research and care programs," said Suzanne Fountain, director of the Jimmy Fund. "We couldn't approach this great undertaking on our own, and we are grateful for Dunkin' Donuts' 20 years of dedication to the cause."

"We are proud to contribute to the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, whether we're fueling PMC participants with coffee before their ride or offering our guests a chance to get involved through paper icon programs in our restaurants," said Patty Healy, Northeast Field Marketing Director for Dunkin' Donuts. "Our franchisees proudly share the Jimmy Fund's passion for bringing hope to thousands of people facing cancer in our communities." 

About Dunkin' Donuts
Founded in 1950, Dunkin' Donuts is America's favorite all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin' Donuts is a market leader in the regular/decaf coffee, iced coffee, hot flavored coffee, donut, bagel and muffin categories. Dunkin' Donuts has earned the No. 1 ranking for customer loyalty in the coffee category by Brand Keys for six years running. The company has more than 10,000 restaurants in 32 countries worldwide. For the full-year 2011, Dunkin' Donuts' restaurants had global franchisee-reported sales of approximately $6.4 billion. Based in Canton, Mass., Dunkin' Donuts is part of the Dunkin' Brands Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: DNKN) family of companies. For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.     

About The Jimmy Fund
The Jimmy Fund solely supports Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, raising funds for adult and pediatric cancer care and research to improve the chances of survival for cancer patients around the world. It is an official charity of the Boston Red Sox, as well as the official charity of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge, and the Variety Children's Charity of New England. Since 1948, the generosity of millions of people has helped the Jimmy Fund (www.JimmyFund.org) save countless lives and reduce the burden of cancer for patients and families worldwide. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thejimmyfund or follow us on Twitter, www.twitter.com/TheJimmyFund.

About The Pan-Mass Challenge
The Pan-Massachusetts Challenge is an annual bike-a-thon that raises more money for charity than any other single athletic fundraising event in the country. The organization was founded in 1980 by Billy Starr who remains the executive director. The PMC has since raised $338 million for cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through the Jimmy Fund. The PMC pioneered the athletic fundraising industry and is today a model of fundraising efficiency. The event donates 100 percent of every rider-raised dollar directly to the cause. In 2011, the PMC generated 52 percent of the Jimmy Fund's annual revenue and was Dana-Farber's single largest contributor. More than 230,000 individual contributions were made to last year's fundraising campaign. In 2012, PMC cyclists will ride with the goal of raising $36 million for Dana-Farber. For more information, visit www.pmc.org.

SOURCE Dunkin' Donuts