TBC needs help fighting childhood cancer

July 19, 2011

In its ongoing effort to fight childhood cancer, the TBC Retail Group has agreed to match up to $25,000 in support of the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation's "Text to Donate" campaign.

Participants are urged to text “Cancer TBC” to 85944 to make a one-time $5 donation through Aug. 1, 2011. TBC will match up to $25,000 in the hopes of raising $50,000 for the cause.

Additionally, TBC’s more than 1,200 tire and automotive retail locations will raise awareness and funds at their stores throughout the month of July. For their donations of $5 or more, customers will receive valuable coupons at Tire Kingdom, NTB (National Tire and Battery), Merchant’s Tire and Auto, and Big O Tires outlets.

"While our in-store donations are going well, the ‘Text to Donate’ campaign is not yielding the results that we had hoped for," says a company spokesperson.

“We are committed to the success of this campaign," says Bob Crostarosa, senior vice president of marketing for the TBC Retail Group. "Our store associates, 'Service Central' race teams and drivers are beating their drums to increase awareness and raise funds for Alex’s.”

“Utilizing the Text to Donate program is a great way to engage TBC Retail Group’s customer base, allowing them to take a few small minutes out of their day to make a big difference in the lives children battling cancer,” adds Liz Scott, Alex’s mom and vice president of outreach and communications for the foundation.

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). In 2000, four-year-old Alex announced that she wanted to hold a lemonade stand to raise money to help find a cure for all children with cancer.

Since Alex held that first stand, the foundation bearing her name has evolved into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of volunteers across the country carrying on her legacy of hope. To date, ALSF, a registered 501(c)3 charity, has raised more than $45 million toward fulfilling Alex’s dream of finding a cure, funding more than 200 research projects nationally.

For more information on the TBC Retail Group's Service Central outlets, visit www.servicecentralauto.com.