Golden Corral Aims to Raise $100,000 in September for Scholarships

RALEIGH, N.C., Aug. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- There's no better time to dine out and do good!  During the month of September, all Golden Corral restaurants in the state of North Carolina, in addition to some participating locations in South Carolina, aim to raise nearly $100,000 to provide educational scholarships to families affected by multiple sclerosis – a lifelong unpredictable disease of the central nervous system.   This new initiative – The Golden Corral MS Scholarship Program  -- in partnership with the three North Carolina-based chapters of the National MS Society, will expand the scholarship opportunities provided by the chapters to first-time college students living with MS or children whose parents live with MS.

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You can help support the mission to provide college scholarships by dining at your local Golden Corral during the month of September.  You can find your local Golden Corral, learn more about the program and donate online at http://www.gc4ms.org .

"As co-chair of my high school's annual scholarship program, I get to see hands on how a scholarship can open a door for a student in financial need," says Woody Fox, a Golden Corral franchisee.  "I read all of our applications every year and it is amazing that there are so many bright young people in our high schools who can't afford the average cost of a college education.  We want to make a  real difference in the lives of these families impacted by multiple sclerosis."

MS can take a significant toll on the family, both emotionally and financially.  The MS Society estimates that MS costs a family $70,000 annually, with a total lifetime cost per family of $3 million. This makes funding a college education challenging. The National MS Society's scholarship program helps qualified students fund their college educations.

"Golden Corral is making it possible to make sure that MS doesn't stand in the way of an education," said Jeff Furst, President of the Eastern NC Chapter MS Society.  "There aren't many scholarships out there for people whose lives are touched by MS, and it is partners like Golden Corral that are making a real tangible difference in those lives, now."

Golden Corral is no stranger to the movement to help create a world free of multiple sclerosis. Their support began in 2006 through Walk MS. From supporting local Walk MS teams to feeding walk participants and volunteers, Golden Corral's commitment has been steadfast and has continued to grow across the state.  

"The Golden Corral MS Scholarship Program is a perfect extension of their commitment to helping people with MS.  We've seen firsthand how Golden Corral employees and the company have gotten behind supporting the MS Society and we are thankful for their support," Furst continued.

About Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis, an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system, interrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Every hour in the United States, someone is newly diagnosed with the disease. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 400,000 people in the U.S. and over 2.1 million worldwide.

About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

The National MS Society addresses the challenges of each person affected by MS. To fulfill this mission, the Society funds cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations around the world, and provides programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move forward with their lives.  In 2010 alone, through its national office and 50-state network of chapters, the Society devoted $159 million to programs and services that assisted more than one million people. To move us closer to a world free of MS, the Society also invested $37 million to support 325 new and ongoing research projects around the world. The Society is dedicated to achieving a world free of MS. Join the movement at www.nationalMSsociety.org.

About Golden Corral Corporation

Founded in 1973, privately held Golden Corral Corp. is headquartered in Raleigh, N.C. Golden Corral currently has 485 restaurants in 41 states.  The company's vision is to be the leader in the family restaurant segment by making pleasurable dining affordable for every guest, at every restaurant, every day.  Golden Corral restaurants nationwide have long been strong supporters of the U.S. Military and the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).  Golden Corral helped raise more than $1,000,000 for the DAV in 2010 as part of its annual "Military Appreciation Monday" initiative.  Golden Corral restaurants are actively involved with Children's Miracle Network having raised over $4 million dollars during the past 6 years.    Their newest initiative, Camp Corral, a free summer camp experience for children of military families, has just completed a successful first summer.    For more information on Golden Corral, visit www.goldencorral.com.

SOURCE National Multiple Sclerosis Society