Popeyes’ Group Raises $681K for the MDA in 15th Annual Fundraising Drive

It’s been 15 years since Sailormen, a Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen franchise, first partnered with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) to enhance the lives of patients. It’s keeping at it, netting $681,015 in its latest efforts.

The money was raised at the 15th Annual Sailormen MDA Golf Classic and the Sailormen’s 2019 Appetite for a Cure program. The latter runs annually at participating Popeyes restaurants in Florida and South Georgia. Taking place this year from Jan. 28 through March 17, the program involves selling customers coupons valued at more than $50 for just $1. Throughout the campaign, the coupons may be used for orders during Sailormen/Popeyes visits.

Money raised supports MDA efforts to fight muscular dystrophy and other diseases of the muscular and nervous system by funding scientific investigations, providing medical and community services such as support groups and multidisciplinary care centers, and educating health professionals and the public. It also helps to support the MDA’s venerable Summer Camp.

“The funding generated from this longstanding partnership is leading to unprecedented breakthroughs in neuromuscular diseases, and providing unique confidence-building experiences at MDA Summer Camp,” Adam Cotumaccio, MDA executive vice president and chief impact & philanthropy officer, said in a news release.

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Sailormen has raised more than $7 million for the MDA since 2002.

“I commend our employees, staff, business partners and customers for making our 15th anniversary year with the MDA  success,” said Kara Nordstrom, Sailormen’s chief executive officer. “We at Sailormen believe in supporting and giving back to the communities we do business in.”

Located at more than 150 leading healthcare institutions across the U.S., the care centers make up the MDA’s Care Center Network, which offers patients multidisciplinary care, information and access to clinical trials, and an overarching link to the MDA and the neuromuscular community.

Through an array of activities including arts and crafts, games, sports and traditional camp doings, the Summer Camp experience offers children ages 8 to 17 an opportunity to uncover new interests while making friends and gaining self-confidence and independence.

”Every year, our coupons feature the faces of MDA campers enjoying the best week of the year, and we feel privileged to be able to support them and others living with muscular dystrophy and related neuromuscular disease through our coupon program and golf event,” said Mark Reineri, Sailormen’s chief operating officer.

Sailormen, with some 105 locations, is one of Popeyes’ largest domestic franchisees. Founded in 1972 in New Orleans, Louisiana, Popeyes has more than 2,700 restaurants worldwide.

The largest source of funding for neuromuscular disease research outside the federal government, the MDA has committed more than $1 billion to date to support treatment discoveries and promote cures.