Jersey Mike's Subs held its 7th Annual "Day of Giving" on Wednesday, hoping to raise $5 million for local charities, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Watch video
RED BANK - Ally Benier knew what she would be having for lunch on Wednesday long in advance.
The 25-year-old Toms River resident works in Red Bank and orders from the Jersey Mike's Subs on Water Street often throughout the year, but Wednesday was different.
The money from her purchase would not be going to the popular sandwich chain, but instead to help fulfill the wishes of children suffering from life-threatening illnesses during Jersey Mike's Subs 7th Annual "Day of Giving."
More than 50 Jersey Mike's locations in central and northern New Jersey donated all of their Wednesday sales to Make-A-Wish New Jersey, while Jersey Mike's locations throughout the country also donated all of their sales from the day to local charities.
Mike Manzo, Jersey Mike's chief operating officer, told NJ Advance Media on Thursday morning that the campaign raised more than $5 million, as customers from New Jersey to Los Angeles "came out to support themselves and their communities."
Last year's "Day of Giving" drive set the previous record for single-day sales with $4 million, according to Evan Mayer, the operations director for the company.
Manzo said philanthropy has "been a part of Jersey Mike's DNA" since its owner Peter Cancro purchased the sandwich chain's original location in Point Pleasant Beach as a teenager in the 1970's.
"Jersey Mike's has taken that mindset to every store we've opened since day one," said Manzo, adding that the more than 1,000 Jersey Mike's locations nationwide all work with local charities, children's hospitals and first responders.
Since 2010, Jersey Mike's locations have raised more than $20 million for local charities and have distributed more than 1.5 million free sandwiches to help numerous causes.
"The story is not about Jersey Mike's giving," Manzo said. "It's about all of the charities who do a lot of good 365 days a year. Those are the folks who should be praised."
Make-A-Wish New Jersey President Thomas Weatherall praised Jersey Mike's for its generosity, adding it would help to grant the wishes of local children with life-threatening medical conditions.
"We can't do it without the community and we sure can't do it without friends like Jersey Mike's and their patrons," said Weatherall, adding there are likely multiple children battling life-threatening illnesses in every New Jersey community where a Jersey Mike's is located.
"It's not just the profits," Weatherall said of the donation Jersey Mike's would be making to Make-A-Wish. "They're giving over ever dollar that goes into (their registers) today to us at Make-A-Wish and we'll convert them into wishes tomorrow, locally."
Customers in Red Bank seemed to really responded to the "Day of Giving" mission, as a line stretched from the location's counter until well after lunchtime.
"I think people really like to give... and make a difference," Mayer said. "That's what we're all here to do and I think our customers really like to be a part of that."
And for customers, like Benier, the sandwiches purchased at Jersey Mike's on Wednesday somehow tasted a little better.
"I love Jersey Mike's and with all of their sales going to a good cause today, why wouldn't you come out?" Benier said. "It will definitely taste a little sweeter knowing who it is going to help."
Rob Spahr may be reached at rspahr@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheRobSpahr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.