MANCHESTER, Conn. — Breaking bread has a way of uniting and, perhaps, more so on Jersey Mike’s “Day of Giving.”
The annual philanthropic event began in 2011 and has raised more than $88 million for charities across the country. In Connecticut, Make A Wish Connecticut is a main beneficiary of the Day of Giving.
“One hundred percent of the profits from Jersey Mike’s Subs today go to Make A Wish (Connecticut) and we can grant more wishes,” said Kai Gadlin, a Make A Wish staff member and "Wish Granter."
Nationwide, Jersey Mike’s customers raised a record-breaking $25 million and in Connecticut alone, $570,074 was raised for Make-A-Wish.
Ken Schanke owns four Jersey Mike’s locations in central Connecticut with his wife Audrey Poynton.
“Every year it gets bigger and bigger,” Schanke said, adding, “You pay for your sub, but 100% of all those sales go back to the Make-A-Wish Foundation by the end of the day.”
To grant a wish in Connecticut, it costs an average of $10,000.
“Right now in Connecticut, we have 350 kids waiting for wishes so with the funds that we raise we are then able to call parents and say that your child’s wish has been approved and we are able to grant it,” Gadlin said.
“This is truly what we want to do, we want to give and that’s our 'why' in life,” Schanke added.
To learn more about the Jersey Mike’s Day of Giving, click here.
Jimmy Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
---
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com
---
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.