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Students to Collect Spare Change to Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
NEW YORK, Jan. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Olive Gardens 2006 Pasta For Pennies
program, benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, kicked off nationally
with the help of talk show host Tony Danza and patient ambassadors of The
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060103/FLTU007
Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050527/FLF005LOGO-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050217/FLTH022LOGO )
Danza, host of the nationally syndicated "The Tony Danza Show," lent his
support to the 2005 Pasta For Pennies program and said he was excited to join
Olive Garden in announcing the kick-off of this years fundraising effort.
"I was impressed when working with these kids last year. They are so
passionate about helping their communities," said Danza. "Programs like Pasta
For Pennies prove that small gifts really do add up. Im sure with all their
enthusiasm theyll be very successful and will add millions to what has
already been raised."
During this years Pasta For Pennies campaign, more than one million
students in more than 4,000 schools throughout the country will bring spare
change in to their classrooms during a three-week period between January and
May. The class in each school that collects the most money will receive a
pasta party delivered to their classroom by their local Olive Garden.
The funds students raise can make a lasting impact on their friends and
neighbors in need, as the money remains in each local community to support a
wide range of services for patients of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and
their families.
"We are grateful to the children who participate in Olive Gardens Pasta
For Pennies each year because their donations contribute significantly to the
quest for cures for blood cancers," said Dwayne Howell, the Societys
president and CEO. "Leukemia is the number one cancer killer for children and
young adults under the age of 20, and programs like this provide meaningful
ways for children to learn about the value of community service while making a
difference in the lives of patients and their families."
Olive Gardens Pasta For Pennies is a grassroots effort that last year
raised more than $3.1 million for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society through
contributions from elementary, middle and high school students across the
United States. Since 1994, nearly $27 million has been collected in spare
change through the program.
"Initiatives like Olive Gardens Pasta For Pennies promote the spirit of
volunteerism and philanthropy," said Dave Pickens, president of Olive Garden.
"These students care so much for their local communities and it shows in their
support of this program."
In addition to a pasta party at every participating school, nationally,
Olive Garden provides meeting and marketing support to help the more than 45
participating Leukemia & Lymphoma Society chapters have successful fundraising
campaigns.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, headquartered in White Plains, NY, is the
worlds largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood
cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Societys
mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkins disease and myeloma, and to
improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its
founding in 1949, the Society has invested more than $424 million for research
specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the
Society made 2.5 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare
professionals through services provided at its home office and by its 66
chapters in the United States and Canada. For more information about the
Society, visit http://www.LLS.org .
Olive Garden is the leading restaurant in the Italian dining segment with
568 restaurants, 70,000 employees and more than $2 billion in annual sales.
Olive Garden is a division of Darden Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: DRI), the worlds
largest casual dining company. For more information, visit Olive Gardens Web
site at http://www.olivegarden.com .
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