ATLANTA, GA – Oct. 3, 2017 — Hooters is asking America to #GiveAHoot in the fight against breast cancer during its monthlong fundraising campaign in honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October. After raising $725,000 in the fight against breast cancer in 2016, Hooters is setting the bar even higher with a goal of $1 million this year. 2017 Miss Hooters International and 2018 Hooters Calendar Cover Girl, Chelsea Morgensen, is leading the charge with a special ‘Girl to Girl Checklist,’ urging young women to join her in following early detection guidelines. In addition, the 2018 Hooters Calendar Girls will tour the country during October to help raise awareness for breast cancer in local communities.
With more than 17,000 Hooters Girls around the globe and a workforce made up of 70 percent women, Hooters is committed to raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research. ‘Chelsea’s Girl to Girl Checklist’ makes it easier for women to make a commitment to follow vital early detection protocols. With an estimated 250,000 females expected to be affected by breast cancer in the U.S. this year, the statistics are too high to be ignored. Chelsea invites women to visit hooters.com/give to download the easy-to-follow guide.
On Thursday, Sept. 28, Chelsea and her fellow Hooters Calendar Girls officially kicked off Hooters monthlong fundraising efforts with a launch party for the 2018 Hooters Calendar at the Hooters of Manhattan. Hooters will donate $1 from every calendar sold toward the fight against breast cancer.
Every Hooters location across the U.S. will support the #GiveAHoot campaign during October through several fundraising programs that invite guests to:
1. Grab a PINK BRACELET and display it proudly to show the world the cause you’re fighting for
2. Snag the 2018 HOOTERS CALENDAR, with $1 from each calendar sold benefiting the campaign
3. Enjoy one of several PINK DRINKS created to raise awareness and funds
4. PINK UP your check when you visit Hooters. Add a cash or credit card donation to your check, or visithooters.com/give to donate online
5. SPREAD THE WORD through social channels, use the hashtag #GiveAHoot to share photos and messages of support
All U.S. Hooters locations are kicking off Breast Cancer Awareness Month by hosting fundraising parties during “Pink Wink” October 9-14. Plus, the 2018 Hooters Calendar Girls will tour the country to raise awareness, sign autographs, make appearances and engage with local communities. For more information on Hooters calendar tour events near you, visit hooters.com/tour.
The 2017 Give A Hoot fundraising effort benefits the Kelly Jo Dowd Breast Cancer Research Fund and other local beneficiaries. The Kelly Jo Dowd Breast Cancer Research Fund was developed in honor of the late Kelly Jo Dowd, one of the original Hooters Girls who graced the cover of the 1995 Hooters Calendar. Always an inspiration to her fellow Hooters Girls, Kelly Jo valiantly battled breast cancer for five years before succumbing on May 24, 2007. Throughout her struggle she was courageous and selfless, becoming an advocate for early detection, education and fundraising. Her influence on Hooters culture of service remains as strong as ever.
Hooters has raised more than $4.7 million over the years to support breast cancer research, much of it through the grant in Kelly Jo’s name to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, one of the nation’s leading cancer research funding organizations. These grants honor Kelly Jo and further her mission to educate all women, especially her extended family consisting of some 300,000 current and former Hooters Girls, about the importance of early detection and prevention.
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, the Foundation has funded more than $170 million in cancer research grants nationwide. The V Foundation awards 100 percent of direct donations to cancer research and programs. The V Foundation’s endowment covers administrative expenses. For more information on the V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.
For more information about the Hooters #GiveAHoot fundraising campaign, visit hooters.com/give. To find the nearest Hooters location to make a donation or attend a fundraising event, visit hooters.com/locations.