ATLANTA—The Hooters chain of restaurants, best known for, well, hooters—and a consistent target of pro-censorship groups—today announced its annual breast cancer research fundraising campaign to raise money in support of The V Foundation for Cancer Research, one of the nation’s leading cancer research funding organizations. Guests are invited to get involved at their favorite Hooters location by purchasing specialty drinks, merchandise, 2014 Hooters Calendars, making a donation in-store and attending signature fundraising events. All Hooters donations will directly benefit The V Foundation, which has funded more than $115 million in cancer research grants nationwide with 100 percent of direct cash donations funding cancer research.
This year’s campaign begins in October to align with National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the iconic Hooters Girls will don pink shoelaces in honor of Hooters fundraising effort. Now through November 27, participating Hooters locations across the country will feature a special beverage menu, including Montevina Pinot Grigio, Simply Naked Red Blend, a Tropical L.I.T. cocktail and non-alcoholic strawberry lemonade. For each of these drinks purchased during the campaign, Hooters will donate $1 to The V Foundation. In addition, for every 2014 Hooters Calendar and select Hooters merchandise purchased, Hooters will donate 50 cents toward the breast cancer research fundraising campaign.
"For the past 11 years, Hooters has found a great partner in The V Foundation and is proud to have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars toward breast cancer research—but there is more work to be done," said Dave Henninger, chief marketing officer for Hooters of America. "One in eight women are affected by breast cancer and with more than 300,000 Hooters Girl alumnae, this fundraising campaign is an opportunity for our guests to join us in our steadfast commitment in support of a cause that means so much to the Hooters family."
Dine-in guests also have the opportunity to add a cash or credit card donation to The V Foundation to their bills, and pink Hooters wristbands are available as a "thank you" with any donation, while supplies last.
Several signature fundraising events will take place at Hooters locations across the country, from car washes to bake sales to parking lot parties. In addition to raising money to help find a cure for the disease that affects one in eight women, Hooters will host mobile mammography units at several locations throughout the U.S to help spread awareness for early detection and rally local communities around the cause.
Since 2002, Hooters has donated more than $2 million to The V Foundation through the Kelly Jo Dowd Breast Cancer Research Grant. Hooters established the grant in honor of the late Kelly Jo Dowd, the 1995 Hooters Calendar Cover Girl and former manager of the Hooters of Palm Harbor, Fla., who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2007.
Dowd spent the last years of her life educating her Hooters Girl family of the importance of breast cancer awareness and early detection. Before she died, Hooters made a promise to carry on her mission of educating her extended Hooters family, which includes 17,000 current Hooters Girls.
For more information about The V Foundation for Cancer Research, please click here. For more information about the Hooters breast cancer research fundraising campaign or to learn how you can make a donation at your nearest Hooters location, click here.
