The day after Thanksgiving, Marine Parents volunteer Barbara Gemmell traveled from Georgia to Cleveland, Tennessee to accept a gracious gift worthy of much thanks! The Hardee’s franchise in Cleveland, J&S Restaurants Inc. came together to help military and families in a big way with a “Stars for Troops” fundraiser this year.

Since its start in May, the local Hardee’s restaurant in the town of a little over 40,000 residents raised $11,638 in the fundraiser! The three week long campaign, run by CKE Restaurants, had a great effect and collected over $1 million nationwide. For $1, customers could buy a “star,” which was displayed in the restaurant to show support for our military men and women.

CEO of CKE Restaurants, Andrew F. Pudker, expressed his appreciation for the remarkable participation, saying that “Advocating for our military families and veterans is a cause close to my heart and the hearts of CKE employees.” When the fundraiser ended, CKE Restaurants Inc., Carl’s Jr., and Hardee’s restaurants returned $10,000 to the Cleveland franchise, to be donated to a program of their choice. Tammy Bivens, Marine Mom and vice-president of finance for J&S Restaurants, nominated Marine Parents.

CEO and founder of MarineParents.com, Tracy Della Vecchia, and all of Marine Parents, were delighted! Bivens’s son Jarrod, a Lance Corporal in the Marines, attended the presentation of the check, along with J&S president Julia Scoggins and J&S employee Brenda Eckard. Della Vecchia said they were so thankful for the kind donation, and that 99.9 percent will be used for Marine Parents Outreach Programs!