Left to right: Glen Helmstetter, managing partner Copeland's of New Orleans – Atlanta; Kristin Connor, executive director of CURE; April Voris, board chair of CURE; and Bill Goudey, CEO of Copeland's of New Orleans – Atlanta.
A Rewarding Partnership!
By Shiyra Sadoff
Since the summer of 2011, Copeland’s of New Orleans-Atlanta Franchise (Copeland’s Atlanta) has been a big booster of CURE Childhood Cancer, which is dedicated to conquering childhood cancer through funding targeted research and support of patients and their families.
In 2012 Copeland’s placed a plaque on the outside fountain of its two restaurants–at Cumberland and Kennesaw–that dedicates all change in the fountain to CURE Childhood Cancer. As they enter and exit the two restaurants, customers get involved with CURE as well by tossing coins that impact CURE families. When you make a wish, you’re answering the wishes of a CURE family!
Since 2011, the restaurants have partnered with CURE as an Open Arms at Lunch sponsor by providing and serving lunches several times a year, including Thanksgiving day. Open Arms is a program in which weekly meals are delivered to the CURE children and families in the Aflac Cancer Center at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston and Scottish Rite Hospitals. These meals help bring a sense of home and comfort to patients and their families. During Christmas, gift certificates for Copeland’s famous Cajun Fried Turkeys are donatedto CURE families outside the hospitals.
In 2012 and 2013, Copeland’s donated 20% of the proceeds from a Saturday brunch at the two restaurants on the week before Easter, which raised almost $2200.00. Last September, it provided restaurant gift cards to the mothers at CURE's Quiet Heroes luncheon.
Bill Goudey, CEO of Copeland’s Atlanta franchise, says that what makes him so dedicated to this cause is, “Seeing your own kids that you are caring for and hoping that they never have to go through that.” This cause is very close to Bill’s heart as he has two young children and also lost his parents to cancer as well. The common goal to fund cancer research has given Copeland’s and CURE a strong bond and the motivation to work together.
Copeland’s goes out of its way to make sure that CURE families are taken care of. Lisa Branch, Director of Patient Services at CURE, stated that, “Our patients and their families are grateful for each meal and CURE is grateful to wonderful restaurants like Copeland’s who are making a difference for families who have a child diagnosed with cancer.”
Feel free to toss a coin during your visit to Copeland’s and help us make their wishes come true!
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