Make-A-Wish^® New Jersey

Monroe Township, NJ – Jersey Mike’s Subs and customers across the country rallied to raise over
$30 million to help more than 200 charities nationwide during the company’s 15^th Annual Month of Giving in March. In New Jersey, nearly $1.4 Million was raised for Make-A-Wish New Jersey, which will create life-changing wishes for local children with critical illnesses in the weeks and months ahead.

Here in the Garden State, throughout the month of March, customers were encouraged to make donations to Make-A-Wish New Jersey through the Jersey Mike’s mobile app or onsite at each participating location. The campaign culminated with Jersey Mike’s “Day of Giving” on Wednesday, March 26, when 131 local Jersey Mike’s locations donated 100 percent of the day’s sales – not just profit – to Make-A-Wish New Jersey. Wish families, volunteers, board members, staff, friends of Make-A-Wish, and of course loyal Jersey Mike’s customers were out in full force supporting the Day of Giving, buying subs for family, friends, local community groups and entire companies, and making additional donations at the register to help create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

The astounding contribution of $1.4 Million from Jersey Mike’s Subs will grant the wishes of 150 children in New Jersey battling critical illnesses.

Fifteen additional Make-A-Wish chapters and international affiliates were the beneficiaries of funds during the campaign in their own regions this year - as west as Los Angeles, Canada to the north, New Mexico to the south and along the northeastern seaboard including New Jersey – representing nearly 463 Jersey Mike’s locations in total. A cumulative $4.4 Million will be donated to Make-A-Wish chapters and affiliates in the United States and Canada this year.

“We are deeply grateful to Jersey Mike’s Subs, including Peter Cancro and the entire team at corporate, and especially to all the franchisees in New Jersey who selected our mission to support by way of their Month of Giving campaign. As past participants with them, we know full well the important impact of their efforts to the chosen charities,” shared Tom Weatherall, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish New Jersey. “Suffice it to say, this initiative and partnership will carry the single most impact to our mission than any other event or programming activity this year! The record setting $1.4 Million raised by the Month of Giving campaign alone will grant over 150 wishes of our goal of 500+ in New Jersey this fiscal year. For this, we are wildly grateful, and overwhelmed by this generosity, but mostly humbled. Thank you, Jersey Mike’s patrons, and all who turned out in March and on the Day of Giving!”

“Together, we’re making a difference in people’s lives thanks to all of you,” said Peter Cancro, Jersey Mike’s Founder and CEO, who this year celebrates 50 years since he bought his first sub shop at age 17.

Most recently, Jersey Mike’s partnered with Make-A-Wish New Jersey to deliver a surprise wish to an 8-year-old boy named Armen from Ridgewood, on the eve of the Day of Giving. Armen, who courageously battles leukemia, wished “To Be A Gemstone Miner.” Make-A-Wish and Jersey Mike’s joined together to turn Armen’s wish into reality as a complete surprise. In addition to letting Armen know his wish would be granted, he was outfitted with all the gear he would need for his adventure and as a surprise, gifted with a 60-year-old mining hammer from his grandfather, a geologist who was on hand for the wish reveal and who inspired Armen’s wish.

Since the Month of Giving began in 2011, Jersey Mike’s has raised more than $143 million for local charities. Make-A-Wish New Jersey and Jersey Mike’s began their partnership in 2017, and since then, Jersey Mike’s has raised over $3.5 Million to make local wishes come true in the Garden State.

Make-A-Wish New Jersey has granted over 12,500 wishes since its inception in 1983. The generous support of corporations like Jersey Mike’s Subs is critical to the organization’s continued success.

For more information about Make-A-Wish New Jersey, visit nj.wish.org.

About Jersey Mike’s

Jersey Mike’s Subs, with more than 4,000 locations open and in development, serves authentic fresh sliced/fresh grilled subs on in-store freshly baked bread — the same recipe it started with in 1956. Passion for giving in Jersey Mike’s local communities is reflected in its mission statement “Giving…making a difference in someone’s life.” For more information, please visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X. Join the conversation at #JerseyMikesGives.

About Make-A-WishNew Jersey
Make-A-Wish New Jersey creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. In the fight against a critical illness, a wish serves as a catalyst for renewed strength and encouragement for every child and family on their journey.  A wish helps kids look past their limitations, families overcome anxiety and entire communities experience joy. Most importantly, wishes can improve a child’s quality of life. A single wish can transform lives. With their national headquarters based in Phoenix, Arizona, Make-A-Wish is one of the world’s leading children’s charities, with 58 chapters serving children in every community in the United States and its territories, and 39 international affiliates serving children on five continents. Make-A-Wish New Jersey was founded in 1983. Serving children in every municipality in the Garden State, Make-A-Wish New Jersey has granted over 12,500 wishes since its inception. For more information about Make-A-Wish New Jersey, call 800-252-WISH or visit nj.wish.org and discover how you can help transform lives, one wish at a time.

Contact:               
Christopher Bogusz, Make-A-Wish New Jersey
cbogusz@nj.wish.org / 609-371-9474 (o)

Kyle Potvin, Jersey Mike’s Subs
kpotvin@splashllc.com / 917-838-4500 (c)