MDA Shamrocks Campaign, a St. Patrick’s Day Fundraiser, Kicking Off at Businesses Across US
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Tens of thousands of businesses across the U.S. are participating in this year’s 34th annual Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Shamrocks campaign to raise funds for research and support programs to help people with muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and other diseases that severely weaken muscle strength and mobility. The MDA Shamrocks campaign is the nation’s largest St. Patrick’s Day fundraising program of its kind.
“Every Shamrock you see on the walls and windows of local retailers this spring will help MDA find answers. The dollars we raise together enable MDA to help kids and adults live longer and grow stronger,” says MDA president and CEO Steven M. Derks in a press release. “Donations made at checkout help us provide the families we serve with access to top clinical care, life-changing summer camps, support programs, groundbreaking research and much more.”
Customers and employees at grocery, home improvement and convenience stores, and restaurants, participating in the MDA Shamrocks program can contribute to making life easier for people whose ability to move is compromised — affecting everyday activities like walking, running, hugging, talking, and even breathing — by adding a paper Shamrock (pinup) to their purchases with a $1, $5, or a larger contribution. Each Shamrock purchased at checkout is then signed by the customer and prominently displayed at participating businesses.
Thousands of U.S. retailers have kicked off their 2016 Shamrocks campaigns, including Lowe’s Home Improvement, the MDA’s largest Shamrocks retailer supporter. The retailers are helping advance the MDA’s mission to fund research and development into therapeutic breakthroughs for life-threatening muscular diseases, support care for affected children and adults, and to help families by providing thousands of children the opportunity to experience MDA Summer Camp at no cost.
The 2016 campaign marks 15 years of Lowe’s support for the Shamrocks campaign. “Lowe’s employees know that selling MDA Shamrocks will raise funds that will help MDA provide its families with the critical resources they need to live longer and grow stronger,” says James Frison, Lowe’s director of community relations, in a release. “Our employees also take great pride in giving thousands of kids with muscle-debilitating diseases a life-changing, barrier-free experience by supporting and volunteering at MDA Summer Camps.”
“MDA is grateful to have the support of a company like Lowe’s that goes above and beyond to bring strength, independence and life to the individuals we serve,” says Ann McNamara, MDA executive vice president and chief development officer. “It is with the help of Lowe’s generous employees and customers who support the Shamrocks program each year that MDA is able to provide families affected by muscle-debilitating diseases with the care they need today, while helping to make tomorrow free from the diseases themselves. We hope to make 2016 our biggest year yet.”
During the 2015 MDA Shamrocks program, Lowe’s raised $7.5 million, surpassing the $50 million mark in overall funds raised since first teaming up with the MDA in 2001.
More information on the 2016 MDA Shamrocks campaign, including how to get involved or locate participating retailers, can be found at mda.org/shamrocks.
A campaign video is also available for viewing by clicking on www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVNZYalXdfQ.
Sources:
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Lowe’s Home Improvement
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