PITTSBURGH–Franchise operators Todd and Lisa Graham raised the most money out of all of GNC franchise stores for the 6th annual St Jude Thanks and Giving® Campaign. GNC honored them for this feat at its franchise convention in June. The Grahams raised more than $9,700 from customers during the two-month-long campaign at their six South Carolina stores, with 100 percent of the funds raised going directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The Grahams’ fundraising efforts at their Hayward Mall, North Hills Shopping Center, Cherry Dale Point and Woodruff Square in Greenville, Dill Creek Common Shopping Center in Greer, and Anderson Station Shopping in Anderson locations contributed to GNC franchising’s largest single donation to date for helping children who suffer from cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases.
“Due to tremendous efforts of franchisees like Todd and Lisa, GNC surpassed last year’s donations to St. Jude," said Darryl Green, senior vice president domestic franchising. “The Grahams’ award for raising the most money by a franchisee reflects their hard work and wonderful relationships with their customers as well as their customers’ generosity."
Because of efforts such as the Graham’s, GNC donated more than $1.4 million in their 4th year of participation – well above last year’s $800,000. GNC joined other partnering companies such as Kmart, CVS, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Ann Taylor, Kay Jewelers, Domino’s Pizza, New York & Co., Dollar General and Williams-Sonoma that also contributed more than $1 million in a year to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Todd Graham said, “We give enormous thanks to our generous customers and employees for their support of this wonderful campaign, especially during tough economic times. It brings us great joy knowing that we are helping children receive the best medical care and their families receive financial relief during such an emotional and trying period in their lives."
GNC, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is a specialty retailer of nutritional products including vitamin, mineral, herbal and other specialty supplements and sports nutrition, diet and energy products. As of March 31, 2010, GNC has more than 7,000 locations, of which more than 5,450 retail locations are in the United States (including 901 franchise and 1,923 Rite Aid franchise store-within-a-store locations) and franchise operations in 49 countries.