CHICAGO and DALLAS - Oscar and Grammy award-winner Jennifer Hudson chose a candle to light up the side of the second celebrity-designed "7-Eleven Coffee Cup With A Cause." Hudson??s cup goes went on sale April 1 at participating 7-Eleven stores across the United States and will be available through May 31 or while supplies last. Proceeds from the cup featuring Hudson??s personal design will benefit her designated charity, Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Hudson made a surprise appearance at a Chicago-area Boys & Girls Clubs of America location on March 31 to formally announce her partnership with 7-Eleven and officially launch the cup??s sales. Featuring a brightly burning candle as the focal point, the cup is inscribed with the words "Light of Peace" in Hudson??s handwriting.
"7-Eleven??s 'Coffee Cup With A Cause?? program not only lets me give back to an organization that really helped me while I was growing up in Chicago," Hudson said, "but also is an opportunity to tell others about the great work this organization continues to do.
The Boys & Girls Clubs provide safe places for kids to learn and grow, not just in Chicago but across our country and on U.S. military bases around the world."
Throughout 2010, 7-Eleven will introduce limited-edition 20-ounce coffee cups designed by entertainment and sports celebrities to be sold in its U.S. stores. Proceeds from sales of the cups benefit the featured celebrity??s charity of choice. The cups can be filled with any 7-Eleven hot beverage and customized with a selection of creams, syrups and spices at no extra charge.
"We know worthwhile social causes are important to our customers, and 'Cups With A Cause?? provides them an easy way to support different organizations throughout the year while enjoying a great cup of coffee," said Rita Bargerhuff, 7-Eleven chief marketing officer. "By partnering with a variety of celebrities and charities like Jennifer Hudson and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, our customers can help make a positive impact on thousands of lives."
While 7-Eleven guarantees a minimum donation of $250,000 to each charity, donations could reach as high as $300,000, depending on the number of cups sold. Consumers can drive up donations through the purchase of the celebrity-designed cups.
7-Eleven??s "Coffee Cup With A Cause" program was introduced at the 2009 Noble Awards held last October. The Noble Awards recognize charities, celebrities and their humanitarian works.