Brings total raised to $260,000 since 2003
Keasbey, NJ, 2014-8-19 — /EPR Retail News/ — The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter is proud to recognize the work of ShopRite and its customers in Southern New Jersey for raising more than $47,000, which will go to support the upcoming Ocean City Board…Walk to Defeat ALS® on Saturday, September 20. This incredible sum was raised through eight Village Super Market ShopRite stores in Galloway, Absecon, Landis, Hammonton, Somers Point, English Creek, Marmora and Rio Grande, all of which participated in selling paper sneakers to customers to raise money and awareness for ALS patient care and research.
The fight against ALS is personal to Village Super Market. A long time associate’s mother was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease in 1999. Feeling helpless as the disease progressed, the associate and her family were instrumental in launching the Ocean City Board…Walk to Defeat ALS® in 2002. Following that first walk, in 2003, the Sumas Family, which operates Village Super Market owned ShopRite stores, started to sell paper sneakers to support the cause. Since 2003, Village Super Market and ShopRite customers have been the presenting sponsors for the Ocean City Board…Walk to Defeat ALS®, and with this year’s efforts, they have partnered to raise more than $260,000 since they began their sponsorship.
“We truly appreciate the incredible support from ShopRite and its customers on behalf of all people with ALS and their families,” said Jim Pinciotti, Executive Director of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter. “They understand how devastating this disease is and have become a valuable partner in our mission.”
The Marmora ShopRite raised the most money at $9,353 and altogether, the eight stores combined to increase donations by 21% over last year. Most of the money was raised at the registers and stores had signs featuring the promotion at the registers and throughout the store. Some store locations took their involvement to another level by holding car washes and bowling nights.
Funds raised from ShopRite and its customers will support vital research and patient programs at the ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter, including multidisciplinary clinics, in-home care, wheelchairs, and communication devices. The Greater Philadelphia Chapter supports over 850 people with ALS in eastern Pennsylvania, central and southern New Jersey, and all of Delaware.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), otherwise known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. Eventually, people with ALS lose the ability to initiate and control muscle movement, which often leads to total paralysis and death within two to five years of diagnosis. For unknown reasons, veterans are approximately twice as likely to develop ALS as the general population. There is no cure, and only one drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) modestly extends survival.
About The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter
The ALS Association is the only national non-profit organization fighting Lou Gehrig’s Disease on every front. By leading the way in global research, providing assistance for people with ALS through a nationwide network of chapters, coordinating multidisciplinary care through certified clinical care centers, and fostering government partnerships, The Association builds hope and enhances quality of life while aggressively searching for new treatments and a cure. For more information about The ALS Association Greater Philadelphia Chapter, visit our website at www.alsphiladelphia.org