Olive Garden's 12th Annual Pasta for Pennies raises record $4.2 million to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

A record $4.2 million in pocket change was collected by students for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society during Olive Garden's 12th Annual Pasta for Pennies program, nearly $1 million more than last year. Students throughout Colorado raised $70,510.88 of the total.

Approxiamately 39,405 local students from 68 schools participated in Olive Garden's Pasta for Pennies program by bringing spare change into their classrooms during a three-week period in the school year. The class collecting the most funds in each school received a pasta party courtesy of their local Olive Garden.

"It's great that the momentum for Pasta for Pennies continues to grow after 12 years," said Dave Pickens, president of Olive Garden. "These students and our restaurant teams are excited and as committed as ever to making an impact in their communities."

The top fundraising schools in Colorado include:
• Meridian Elementary School in Broomfield with $6,125
• Panorama Middle School in Colorado Springs with $3,550
• Widefield Senior High School in Colorado Springs with $3,524

Students nationwide were recognized for their efforts during a segment on "The Tony Danza Show," in which host Tony Danza congratulated them on a job well done and for making a difference in their communities. "I know their hard work and caring will go a long way to help patients and families in their own neighborhoods," said Danza.

Since 1994, Olive Garden's Pasta for Pennies has raised more than $31 million to fight leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and to provide a wide range of services to patients and their families.

"Every year students go above and beyond the call of duty to make Pasta for Pennies a success," said Jennifer Becker, campaign manager of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Rocky Mountain Chapter. "Olive Garden and all of these outstanding students are helping us advance our mission to cure blood cancers and improve the quality of life for patients and their families."

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, headquartered in White Plains, NY, is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to funding blood cancer research and providing education and patient services. The Society's mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families. Since its founding in 1949, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has invested more than $483 million for research specifically targeting leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. Last year alone, the Society made 4.3 million contacts with patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals through services provided at its home office and by its 66 chapters in the United States and Canada. For more information about the Society, visit <www.LLS.org>

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