Making a difference one paper sneaker at a time
Pizza Hut has helped families affected by type 1 diabetes (T1D) since PH Restaurants LP teamed up with JDRF 11 years ago, a relationship that has evolved to shape Pizza Hut’s team culture and raise almost $500,000 towards finding a cure.
a relationship that has evolved to shape Pizza Hut’s team culture and raise almost $500,000 towards finding a cure
Pizza Hut has a very personal connection with JDRF as the owners, Roberto Aquilini and now retired Mike Cyr, both have children living with T1D. “We saw a relationship with JDRF as a true win-win for our store teams and our customers who have both been immensely generous in supporting our fundraising efforts”, said Mike Cyr, former President of PH Restaurants LP.
A BC franchisee with 51 locations, PH Restaurants LP has been involved in several fundraising efforts benefitting JDRF, but in 2019 the Paper Sneaker program has taken their support to the next level. Paper sneakers are offered at check-out for $1 or more to support type 1 diabetes research. When a customer buys one, they sign their name on the sneaker, employees display these all over the restaurants’ walls to honor clients, friends and family members who live with T1D. In 2019, Pizza Hut reached a new milestone with the Paper Sneaker program raising an impressive $105,000 for JDRF.
But the partnership between JDRF and Pizza Hut stretches beyond fundraising. The restaurant chain supports their communities by engaging more supporters for JDRF, raising awareness about T1D and consulting with JDRF’s team of youth ambassadors to better understand the realities of living with this 24/7 disease.
“JDRF is such a powerful, grassroots driven charity due to the passion and commitment of its volunteers and it’s truly been inspiring for our people to help support it,” Cyr added. In that spirit, Pizza Hut and their families are committed to making the impossible possible by propelling research forward and driving remarkable progress.
Sheida: JDRF’s Champion at PH
PH Restaurants ’ Sr. Director of Human Resources, Sheida Shakib-Zadeh has played an integral role in championing our cause with her colleagues, every Pizza Hut Restaurant Manager & Team Member in BC. She has not only been volunteering as the Co-Chair of our Walk National Cabinet for 6 years, but she has also participated in every JDRF event and been honoured at our Vancouver Gala for her philanthropy and volunteerism.
With a strong sense of commitment to deepen corporate social responsibility within the organization and employee support for our mission, Sheida definitely feels like a part of the JDRF team. She always knows how to engage Pizza Hut employees, inspiring in them a higher sense of purpose by rallying them to make a difference in the lives of 300,000 Canadians living with T1D.
Thank you, Sheida for your incredible support throughout the years and for being our best champion!