In Three Months, Local Marketing Agency Raises over $15,000 for the Hospital
NORFOLK, Va. — Reed & Associates Marketing, Inc. (R&A), a Norfolk-based marketing, advertising and public relations agency, joined hundreds of supporters at Norfolk Botanical Gardens on Saturday, Sept. 24, for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer fundraising event. In its seventh year participating, R&A increased its involvement as a Flagship Partner and has raised a total of $15,392 for the hospital so far.
Most people don’t know that it costs 2.2 million dollars per day to operate St. Jude, and 75 percent of those funds come from public contributions. The walk helps fund the research to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer from 80 percent to 90 percent in the next decade, with families never receiving a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food.
This year, the R&A team debuted a new fundraising tactic, partnering with another Norfolk business. 80/20 Burger Bar hosted St. Jude Night on Wednesday, Sept. 21. The restaurant generously donated 10 percent of all proceeds, and additional patron contributions, totaling $400 for the hospital.
“We had a blast working with R&A to support such a great cause,” said Jamie Summs, owner of 80/20 Burger Bar. “We’re always looking for ways to partner with local businesses and support philanthropic events. This was an awesome opportunity we couldn’t pass up.”
Since 2008, R&A has donated more than $65,000 in support of St. Jude. In 2016, the company raised over $15,000 before the walk, earning its place as Hampton Roads no. 1 fundraiser for the fourth year in a row. Of the top ten individual local fundraisers, six were R&A team members, including President and Co-Owner, Ashley Knepper and, Greg Fulcher, a tenured media buyer at R&A. “I love kids and the work that St. Jude does is truly life changing,” said Fulcher. “When you factor in that St. Jude NEVER charges a family for medical attention, asking friends and family to help an organization like this is a no-brainer.”
Because of Knepper’s long standing dedication to the hospital, she was asked to speak during the opening ceremony. “Supporting St. Jude is one of my team’s truest passions,” said Knepper. “The hospital has saved thousands of lives, but childhood cancer still effects countless families every year. St. Jude will continue this fight until no child is diagnosed with a life threatening disease, and so will we.”
In addition to its annual fundraising for St. Jude, R&A takes an annual trip to the hospital in Memphis, as well as participates in other philanthropic efforts throughout the year, including VOLUTEER Hampton Roads’ VOLUNTEER Food Drive, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore Mayflower Marathon and Operation Wag pet toy drive. The company hopes to forge a long term partnership with 80/20 Burger Bar to raise funds and awareness for local philanthropic causes in the future.
For more information on R&A Gives Back, visit http://bit.ly/RAGivesBack.
