CARPINTERIA, Calif.— CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc., parent company of Carl’s Jr.® and Hardee’s® restaurants, kicks off its fifth annual Stars for Heroes™ fundraising campaign this week at participating locations. The program, which has raised more than $3.5 million since its inception in 2011, harnesses the compassion and generosity of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s customers, franchisees and employees to rally behind the nation’s active-duty military, veterans and their families. Funds raised during this year’s campaign will support national charity partners, Dream Foundation’s Dreams for Veterans program and USA Cares, as well as dozens of regional and local military-focused charities in the communities in which Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s serve.
The 2015 Stars for Heroes fundraising campaign begins today and runs through June 16. To participate, restaurant guests donate $1 in support of military charities. For each $1 donation, guests receive a commemorative “I support military veterans and families” patriotic star-shaped cut-out to personalize and display in the restaurant. They also receive restaurant coupons valued at more than $10 to use toward future purchases.
“Supporting our nation’s military heroes is part of our heritage at Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s and a proud tradition that’s close to our hearts, our franchisees and our customers who donate year after year,” said Andy Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants. “Last year we raised more than $1.1 million to support the crucial work of USA Cares, Dream Foundation and regional charities across the country, and this year, we hope to top that in a big way. As we celebrate Memorial Day and honor the service of our brave men and women in uniform, we invite everyone to stop by their neighborhood Carl’s Jr. or Hardee’s location, show their patriotism and donate.”
“We are honored to continue our partnership with CKE as well as Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s franchisees for the annual Stars for Heroes campaign,” said Kisa Heyer, executive director of Dream Foundation and its Dreams for Veterans program. “Last year’s campaign helped Dream Foundation fund the final dreams of 114 deserving veterans. We are grateful for the generosity, dedication and compassion of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s crew members, customers and franchisees across the country, which enables us to continue to support veterans suffering from life-threatening illness.”
“Since 2011, our continued partnership with CKE Restaurants has become invaluable in providing services to active duty soldiers, veterans, Guard and Reserve members and their families,” said Peter Giusti, president of USA Cares. “We are humbled by the generosity and support we have received from Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. and its franchisees, employees and loyal customers over the years. Every dollar makes a difference and helps us continue to serve our nation’s heroes who’ve so selflessly served us.”
Since 2011, the Stars for Heroes program has supported more than 60 U.S. military charities nationwide. Stars for Heroes is made possible through generous contributions by CKE’s franchise community – The Independent Hardee’s Franchise Association (IHFA) and Star Franchise Association (SFA) – along with company employees and loyal customers. Private donations and in-kind support are provided by CKE partners and suppliers including KDM POP Solutions Group. To learn more about the Stars for Heroes national beneficiaries, visit their websites at www.dreamfoundation.org and www.usacares.org.
Santa Barbara, CA—Dream Team Council (DTC), a volunteer student leadership group that offers program support to Santa Barbara based non-profit Dream Foundation, will present Dreaming A Difference, a benefit showcase for Dream Foundation on Saturday, May 23rd at the Marjorie Luke Theatre. The event features rising singer-songwriter Cody Lovaas—who, at the age of sixteen, has toured and opened for Jason Mraz—as well as performances by local high school students. All proceeds from this showcase will benefit Dream Foundation, the only national dream-granting organization for adults and their families facing life-threatening illness.
“We are so impressed by how active and passionate these students are about helping others and giving back,” says Kisa Heyer, Dream Foundation Executive Director. “It is so important that our youth are engaged in causes that are meaningful to them. We are grateful for all the hard work DTC has been doing to provide opportunities for their peers to learn about and get involved with Dream Foundation.”
Press are invited to attend:
Dreaming A Difference: A Benefit Showcase for Dream Foundation
Saturday, May 23rd
Marjorie Luke Theatre (721 E. Cota St. Santa Barbara, CA 93103)
Doors open at 6:30pm/Show starts at 7:00pm
DTC regularly organizes school functions such as Flower Empower bouquet-making, toy drives and other events at their schools to support the dream-granting mission of Dream Foundation. This showcase, which is entirely student-produced by DTC, will be the largest event they have ever put on.
“It has been such an experience to work with leaders from other high schools to put together this benefit showcase,” says DTC Co-President Celyne Demonteverde. “And getting to work with a talented young artist like Cody Lovaas really demonstrates how much we can already accomplish together at our age.”
DTC’s goal is for the showcase to not only raise awareness and funding for Dream Foundation, but also to highlight the great opportunities available for other students to get involved in community service and student leadership.
Santa Barbara, CA—May 18, 2015—Dream Foundation—the only national dream-granting organization for adults and their families battling life-threatening illness—is partnering with cutting-edge local swimwear designer, Danielle Rocha of Rocha Swim, to host Summer Dream, a swimwear runway show event aimed at engaging young adults in the mission of Dream Foundation and raising funds to help make dreams come true.
Press are invited to attend the event: Summer Dream Swimwear Runway Show
5-8 p.m., Thursday June 4th Aperture Collection and Cabana Home
(120 Santa Barbara St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101)
One-hundred percent of proceeds raised will be earmarked to serve the dreams of applicants in their twenties.
“About 11% of our dream recipients are between the ages of 18 and 35,” says Kisa Heyer, Dream Foundation Executive Director. “Their dreams range from basic needs items like laptops and tablets to stay connected with family and friends, to the opportunity to meet a personal hero or experience a rite of passage such as a graduation or prom.”
Summer Dream will feature a runway show by Rocha Swim, as well as fashion from other local designers including CA Makes, Studio 399 Jewelry, Make Smith, Lisa Sands Design, and Chapala & Parker. On hand serving up burgers and bites will be the mobile Carl’s Jr. ® Star Diner. There will be live performances by Danny Winter and DJ IDEX, as well as a raffle, wine and beer.
According to event chair Arlene Montesano, “It is exciting to be working with a talented young designer like Danielle Rocha, who has channeled her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit into giving back to the community. This is going to be the first event of its kind for Dream Foundation and we are working hard to make it a great success.”
Raffle tickets—for prizes including beauty and fitness packages, as well as a 3-night stay at the Four Seasons Punta Mita Resort in Mexico—are also available for purchase at the same link: $10 each or 6 for $50. Presence at event not required to win.
Summer Dream event sponsors include Blue Star Parking, Cabana Home, Carl’s Jr.®, Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Don and Susan Kang, Jim Nigro, Eric and Nina Phillips, Walter Claudio Salon Spa, SpaceNK Apothecary.
Dream Foundation maintains a 4-star Charity Navigator rating (the highest rating) for sound fiscal responsibility and has never turned away a qualified dream request.
“When You Wish Upon a Star” greeted an unsuspecting Jalen Miller Friday as she walked into a Gervais High School gymnasium filled with cheering students and staff.
They had all been waiting for her, and her shocked expression was evidence she had no idea what was coming.
Miller knew this would be her last day as a staff member at the high school. Last summer’s diagnosis of bile duct cancer had forced her decision to retire.
What she didn’t know was that a wish — shared by her and her husband, David, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2013 — would be granted at a school-wide assembly in her honor. (Read more)
Dreamer: Brenda, age 69 Dream: To leave a legacy to her loved ones through anecdotes, advice and words of wisdom Dream #: 20,374
When the constraints of illness preclude the ability to perform basic tasks, a dream allows people like Brenda the ability to create tangible gifts of love and leave behind a legacy.
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Photos courtesy of Elizabeth Messina
Often, a mother’s carefully carved legacy is to leave her children with the unquestionable knowledge that they are loved, that their dreams matter, and that what will remain are meaningful and abundant memories.
For some mothers, a dream is witnessing the wonder in their children as they experience a final family vacation. For others, it may be providing the basic comfort of a home: new sheets, a working appliance or reassurance a bill will be paid.
Our dreamer Brenda longed to forge deep and everlasting connections between herself and her loved ones through words. She hoped to write three love letters: one to her daughter and one to each of her two granddaughters.
Most importantly, Brenda wanted her daughter to know how much she had enriched her life and how much she loves her. The love letters to her granddaughters—which were to be opened on their graduation days or 18th birthdays—included advice and words of wisdom, as well as anecdotes about her own life and journey into adulthood.
Due to the constraints of her illness that rendered her weak and easily fatigued, it became increasingly difficult for Brenda to write. She reached out to Dream Foundation for help crafting these letters. The Vice Chairperson of Dream Foundation’s Board of Directors, Hollye Jacobs—also an author, blogger, oncology social worker, cancer survivor and mother—went to Brenda’s side and listened with an open ear as she shared from her heart, dictating her beloved letters. With Hollye’s assistance, Brenda was able to create tangible words and gifts of love.
Dream Foundation also presented Brenda with stunning portraits by longtime supporter Elizabeth Messina, making her treasured letters more special than she ever could have imagined.
CARPINTERIA, Calif.— CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc., parent company of Carl’s Jr.® and Hardee’s® restaurants, kicks off its fifth annual Stars for Heroes™ fundraising campaign this week at participating locations. The program, which has raised more than $3.5 million since its inception in 2011, harnesses the compassion and generosity of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s customers, franchisees and employees to rally behind the nation’s active-duty military, veterans and their families. Funds raised during this year’s campaign will support national charity partners, Dream Foundation’s Dreams for Veterans program and USA Cares, as well as dozens of regional and local military-focused charities in the communities in which Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s serve.
