News

Sweet Tomatoes fundraiser brings in $70,000 for Easter Seals

July 21, 2010

Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes announced that their annual Easter Seals Fundraiser raised $70,000 — the largest amount collected since the start of the annual fundraiser in 2008. The fundraiser was hosted at 20 regional restaurants and generated donations from the sale of 34,754 bags of homemade chocolate chip cookies during the month of June. This year's donation amount brings the three-year total to $119,000.

“We’re thrilled at the participation we saw in the communities this year. We decided to work with Easter Seals three years ago because it reminded us so much of Sweet Tomatoes in its core values,” said Lesa Pickinpaugh, director of operations, Chicago. “They have a passion to serve, exemplify integrity and show their respect for each individual by helping all people with disabilities. In working with Easter Seals, we know our donation will make a difference and benefit families within Sweet Tomatoes communities.”

To celebrate this year’s milestone, Sweet Tomatoes will host a check presentation July 28 at 10:00 a.m. Easter Seals staff, volunteers, children and families as well as the Sweet Tomatoes staff will all be in attendance.

The funds raised will benefit seven Easter Seals affiliates, including Illinois chapters: Easter Seals DuPage and the Fox Valley Region, Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago, Missouri’s Easter Seals UCP Heartland, and Easter Seals Oregon, Easter Seals Washington, Easter Seals Colorado and Easter Seals Northern Rocky Mountain.