Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q® Supports the Bald Entrepreneurs during 2010 St. Baldrick’s Event
Fundraising team proves that it’s just not an “After-Shave” Party without Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q

(Cary, NC) – Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q® (SCNB) is proud to announce that the North Carolina-based restaurant brand was once again able to support local St. Baldrick’s team, the Bald Entrepreneurs, this year in their efforts to raise money for research focused on eliminating childhood cancers.

The team at Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q® have always known that “it’s just not a tailgate without Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q”, and the Bald Entrepreneurs have proved that the same goes for an “After-Shave” Party. Smithfield’s provided fresh bar-b-q, delicious side items, and crowd favorites – hush puppies and sweet tea – for the team’s post-shave party that continued raising funds even after the day’s earlier shave event. Fundraisers shaved their heads at The Hibernian’s annual fundraiser event on Saturday, February 27^th, 2010. Smithfield’s provided goodie bags for the 60 team members who shaved their heads that included gift certificates, shirts, and koozies.

“Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q is happy to be part of this most worthy cause. As we are grateful to serve our customers, we are also grateful to serve our community”, says Richard Averitte, Marketing Director for Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q. “The Bald Entrepreneurs team provides a tremendous amount of support to the St. Baldrick’s program and we are happy to be a part of that effort.”

The Bald Entrepreneurs surpassed their fundraising goal of $35,000 and are now on their way to the $39,000 mark. To find out more or to donate to the Bald Entrepreneurs team, visit their official team page at http://www.stbaldricks.org/teams/baldentrepreneurs. Chris Wright, founder of the Bald Entrepreneurs team, noted some strong statistics for supporting the group and its participation the in St. Baldrick’s program. Between 2005 and 2009, St. Baldrick’s has issued nearly $42 million in research grants ($12 million in 2009 alone) and funds more in childhood cancer research grants than any other organization, except the U.S. government. The Bald Entrepreneurs team made up approximately 11% of the shaves at the local event yet captured nearly 20% of all donations for the Hibernian Restaurant & Pub.

According to the St. Baldrick’s website, on March 17, 2000, reinsurance executives Tim Kenny, John Bender, and Enda McDonnell turned their industry’s St. Patrick’s Day party into a benefit for kids with cancer. The three planned to raise “$17,000 on the 17th,” recruiting 17 colleagues to raise $1,000 each to be shorn. Instead, the first St. Baldrick’s event raised over $104,000! Volunteers shave their heads in solidarity with kids fighting cancer and family and friends give generously – worldwide.  The St. Baldrick’s Foundation uses the donations to fund more in childhood cancer research grants than any organization except the United States Government.

About Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q
Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q has a 40-year history serving the finest fried chicken and Eastern-North-Carolina-style Bar-B-Q, made fresh daily from family recipes and served in a family-friendly atmosphere. Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q has over 30 locations in North Carolina as well as an online store where BBQ can be ordered and shipped anywhere in the United States. Visit http://www.SCNBNC.com/ for more information or call 919-852-1742.

Contact: Richard Averitte, Marketing Director – Smithfield’s Chicken ‘N Bar-B-Q
Phone:     919-852-1722         Fax: 919-852-5268
Email:      RAveritte@SCNBNC.com
Web:       http://www.SCNBNC.com
Mail:       P.O. Box 979 – Cary, NC 27512