National Coalition of Associations of 7-Eleven Franchisees Announces Record Level of Charitable Funding at 36th Annual Convention

TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Coalition of Associations of 7-Eleven Franchisees announced today that it has helped to raise nearly three quarters of a million dollars this year for two of its charitable partners, Hire Heroes USA and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).  Hire Heroes is a non-profit organization offering transition assistance, job search assistance and job placement services to those veterans injured or disabled in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, and MDA is a nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases.

During its most successful convention in its 36-year history last month in Las Vegas, the National Coalition presented Hire Heroes leadership with a check for $310,000 to support the organization's transition assistance workshops run at military installations.  In concert with 7-Eleven, Inc., and nine vendor partners, the National Coalition and its 36 Franchise Owners' Associations raised funds through sales of specific products offered by brand-name companies which donated a portion of each sale for the program.  Participating companies included Nestle USA, Anheuser-Busch InBev, MillerCoors, E. & J. Gallo Winery, Dr Pepper-Snapple Group, Tropicana Products, Inc., Mars, Inc., Kellogg's and Kraft Foods, Inc.  Fees from the Coalition's annual Joe Saraceno Memorial Golf Tournament, and donations made from the public, also contributed to the total.  This donation was the second in a three-year commitment to Hire Heroes, and the largest single-year contribution made to Hire Heroes by the Coalition.  

The National Coalition also presented MDA with a check for $420,000, representing funds raised through a national store-based canister program supported by 7-Eleven, Inc, as well as live and silent auctions at the Coalition's annual convention. The contribution is a manifestation of a long-term partnership between the MDA, the Coalition, its Franchise Owners' Associations, individual franchisees and 7-Eleven, Inc.

"Our ability to give back to these important programs is something that makes each and every member of our 7-Eleven franchisee family very proud," stated Bruce Maples, chairman of the National Coalition.  "Committing ourselves to supporting both our military veterans and those individuals and families who have been touched by neuromuscular disease represents the great American tradition of generosity that our owners, their employees, our vendors and our customers are known for."

The Coalition's 36th annual national convention in Las Vegas brought in record numbers of franchise owners and exhibitors. In addition to the trade show for exhibitors, the convention featured a range of speakers including Super Bowl XII Champion Drew Pearson of the Dallas Cowboys. Actor Max Adler, star of the hit television series Glee, was also on hand to sign autographs and support the work of MDA and 12-year-old Abbey Umali, MDA's 2011 National Goodwill Ambassador. Preparations are now underway for the 37th annual convention which will be held next July in Honolulu, Hawaii.  

The National Coalition of Associations of 7-Eleven Franchisees is the national trade group for 7-Eleven storeowners in the U.S., representing the interests of 4,900 franchise-owned stores, and their membership organizations, which employ nearly 40,000 workers.

SOURCE National Coalition of Associations of 7-Eleven Franchisees