From left to right: Eric Stensland, Danielle Latour, Toni Gary, Tom Santurri, Greg Constantino, Guy Ruffo and Scott Dowdall.
Dunkin’® Iced Coffee Day raises $1.8 Million nationwide to support children’s hospitals through
the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation®
SYRACUSE, NY – This past May, the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation® called on America to sip from their hearts on Dunkin’® Iced Coffee Day and help bring joy to kids in local hospitals across the country. Today, Dunkin’ franchisees in Central New York are proud to announce that $29,000 will be granted locally to Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital through the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation. Thanks to support from guests nationwide, Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day collectively raised $1.8 Million to support kids in children’s hospitals throughout the country.
As part of the program, Dunkin’ invited guests to have their iced coffee work double duty to both fuel their “go” and bring joy to kids battling illness in their communities. On May 25, $1 from every iced coffee purchased at participating Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide supported the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation’s mission to bring joy to kids battling illness. Thanks to the generosity of Dunkin’ franchisees across the country, 100 percent of the funds raised will be granted locally to children’s hospitals in their respective communities.
On August 16, Dunkin’ franchisees in Central New York and the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation celebrated its local grant of $29,000 to Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital at the Dunkin’ restaurant at 3493 Erie Boulevard East in Dewitt, NY. With this grant, Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital will bring joy to its patients through its Child Life program, which provides sick and injured children with toys, games and themed lunches to keep them occupied and comfortable during what can be a very scary time.
“We are so appreciative of our Dunkin’ partners,” said Toni S. Gary, Assistant Vice President of Development for the Upstate Foundation. “Thanks to the generosity of Dunkin’ customers and franchisees on Iced Coffee Day, we can fund more fun activities for children cared for at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital as we support the Child Life team.”
“When children are faced with extreme hardship like battling a severe illness, it robs them of the joys of childhood. It was amazing to see the outpouring of support from our guests to help make a difference for these kids,” said Tom Santurri, Central New York Dunkin’ Franchisee. “As Dunkin’ franchisees, it is so important for us to give back to the communities we serve and show them we are here to keep them running beyond their daily Dunkin’ run. We are thrilled to support our local hospital partners throughout the country and help them create joyful experiences that allow their patients to still be kids.”
The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation has awarded over 85 local grants stemming from Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day to children’s hospitals this year to support initiatives that help bring joy to patients. Throughout the country, grant funding will help enhance child life programming spanning from art, music and integrated therapy programs, including yoga and reiki, to electronic gaming equipment and specialized summer camps that provide joyful experiences and environments for patients and their families.
Funds will also support interactive play and learning equipment, adaptive equipment for kids with mobility issues, everyday essential kits for patients, wall murals, hosting celebratory events for patient milestones, staffing of child life specialists and more. Difficult or unexpected events like surgery, illness and hospitalization can be challenging for kids to process. These programs help to normalize the hospital experience and provide the comfort and support needed for recovery.
Since its inception in 2006, the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation has granted more than $40 million to national and local nonprofits. In 2021, the Foundation awarded 171 grants to hospitals and other nonprofits to help bring joy to kids battling illness.
To learn more about the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, visit www.bringjoy.org and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
About Dunkin’®
Founded in 1950, Dunkin’ is America’s favorite all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods. Dunkin’ is a market leader in the hot regular/decaf/flavored coffee, iced regular/decaf/flavored coffee, donut, bagel and muffin categories. Dunkin’ has earned a No. 1 ranking for customer loyalty in the coffee category for 16 years running. The company has more than 12,600 restaurants in 40 countries worldwide. Dunkin’ is part of the Inspire Brands family of restaurants. For more information, visit www.DunkinDonuts.com.
About the Dunkin’® Joy in Childhood Foundation®
The Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation, the charitable foundation supported by Dunkin’, provides the simple joys of childhood to kids battling hunger or illness. The Foundation partners with food banks, children’s hospitals and nonprofit organizations to fund joyful environments and joyful experiences for kids when they need it most. Since 2006, the Dunkin’ Joy in Childhood Foundation has granted more than $37 million to hundreds of national and local charities across the country thanks to the generosity of its franchisees, guests, vendor partners and employees. For more information, please visit www.bringjoy.org.