Waldbaum Foundation Raises $160,000 for Breast Cancer
MONTVALE, N.Y. -- The Waldbaum Foundation, established by A&P banner Waldbaum's Supermarket 1999 to fight breast cancer, has raised $160,000 for the cause this year. The funds were presented to various charities yesterday during the foundation's annual luncheon.
To date, with the help of the work force at the chain's stores in Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Long Island, the Waldbaum Foundation has raised more than $375,000 to battle the deadly malady.
(Story continues below.)
"We thought it was very important to raise funds for breast cancer researchers and service providers right here, where our stores are and our customers live," said foundation president Steve Melnick in a statement. "It gives us great pleasure to know that we are helping the people we serve everyday -- especially those fighting this disease."
The funds were raised through sales promotions in the stores, discounted "special" products that contribute directly to the organization, and special fundraising events held at each location by the associates. Due to careful planning and work performed entirely by volunteers, the foundation has been able to keep its expenses to less than 3 percent raised.
"Because we are all volunteers, we can keep our costs low. We want every penny to go where it is needed most -- to the women, men, and families who together are fighting breast cancer," said Melnick.
At the luncheon yesterday, the foundation granted awards totaling $160,000 to eight local charities, funding patient resources, patient services, breast cancer research, and regional education programs for breast cancer patients. Among the recipients were Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, for identification of new targets for therapy in breast cancer; Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, to support breast cancer clinical trials; and SHARE, to support self-help programs for women with breast cancer.
Shoppers who wish to participate in the program can contact the foundation directly or visit their local Waldbaum's Supermarket to buy products and/or make direct donations.
To date, with the help of the work force at the chain's stores in Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Long Island, the Waldbaum Foundation has raised more than $375,000 to battle the deadly malady.
(Story continues below.)
"We thought it was very important to raise funds for breast cancer researchers and service providers right here, where our stores are and our customers live," said foundation president Steve Melnick in a statement. "It gives us great pleasure to know that we are helping the people we serve everyday -- especially those fighting this disease."
The funds were raised through sales promotions in the stores, discounted "special" products that contribute directly to the organization, and special fundraising events held at each location by the associates. Due to careful planning and work performed entirely by volunteers, the foundation has been able to keep its expenses to less than 3 percent raised.
"Because we are all volunteers, we can keep our costs low. We want every penny to go where it is needed most -- to the women, men, and families who together are fighting breast cancer," said Melnick.
At the luncheon yesterday, the foundation granted awards totaling $160,000 to eight local charities, funding patient resources, patient services, breast cancer research, and regional education programs for breast cancer patients. Among the recipients were Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, for identification of new targets for therapy in breast cancer; Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, to support breast cancer clinical trials; and SHARE, to support self-help programs for women with breast cancer.
Shoppers who wish to participate in the program can contact the foundation directly or visit their local Waldbaum's Supermarket to buy products and/or make direct donations.