ATHENS – In support of National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Chili’s Grill and Bar announced its fifth annual “Create-A-Pepper” campaign during September by inviting people to get creative and raise funds to help St. Jude find cures and help children with cancer and other childhood diseases.
On Monday, Sept. 29, all Chili’s restaurants will donate 100 percent of their profits from lunch and dinner sales to reach the nationwide goal of $5 million to help fight childhood cancers. To date, Chili’s has raised $18.7 million as part of a $50 million commitment to St. Jude over a 10-year period. Once completed, the donation will be the largest donation from a single partner campaign in St. Jude’s history.
“Our ‘Create-A-Pepper’ campaign allows for us all to lend support for children’s cancer research,” said Greg Cyrier, president and CEO of Bonnaroo Restaurant Group. “September is the time for us to share the Chilihead spirit with our St. Jude friends and their families as well as our guests. Our team members truly look forward to the opportunity to give back.”
Last November, Chili’s and St. Jude celebrated a significant milestone in their partnership — the opening of the Chili’s Care Center. The seven-floor, 340,000-square foot facility combines 21st century imaging and treatment technology with St. Jude’s approach to medical research by putting patients and scientists in the same building to fast-track the translation of new knowledge into better care for children around the nation.