GREEN BAY, Wis., June 12, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Epilepsy Foundation’s Lemonade for Livy initiative has named national retail chain, Shopko, its official kick-off partner. Originally established in Clearwater, Florida, to support Olivia “Livy” Scheinman, Lemonade for Livy raises awareness and money for epilepsy via lemonade stands all over the country. Livy was diagnosed with multifocal partial epilepsy, cerebral palsy, and other disabilities shortly after birth.
To honor Livy and other people with epilepsy, more than 380 Shopko stores will join the initiative from June 14 to July 15 and collect donations at the register.
Additionally, more than 75 stores will host lemonade stands on June 24. Lemonade will be donated by Arizona Beverages and served by Epilepsy Foundation volunteers. Shoppers at participating stores can purchase lemonade between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. and all proceeds will go to the store’s local Epilepsy Foundation organization. In addition, the Shopko Foundation will match all proceeds from the lemonade stands.
Today, three million people in the US have epilepsy, including more than 300,000 children under the age of 15. “Our growing partnership with Shopko is very unique because it significantly broadens the Epilepsy Foundation’s ability to reach more families across the country, educating the public about the impact of epilepsy and seizures,” said Philip M. Gattone, president and CEO of the Epilepsy Foundation. “The Epilepsy Foundation is proud to partner with the entire Shopko team in this important campaign. The outstanding management and staff at Shopko retail stores generously provide customers the opportunity to directly support research and new therapies for epilepsy through their purchases while also enjoying a glass of lemonade.”
“The Epilepsy Foundation provides critical support to families across the country, so Shopko is proud to partner with the organization on its ‘Lemonade for Livy’ campaign,” said Julian Day, Shopko CEO. “Simple acts of kindness, such as donating to this campaign while visiting Shopko, are important to the success of the communities we are privileged to serve.”
To support and host your own lemonade stand, please visit Epilepsy.com/LemonadeForLivy.
About Shopko
Shopko is owned by an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc., a leading private investment firm focused on leverage buyouts, equity, debt, and other investments in market-leading companies.
Founded in 1962 and headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Shopko Stores Operating Co., LLC is a $3 billion retailer that operates over 380 stores in 26 states throughout the Central, Western and Pacific Northwest regions. Retail formats include 127 Shopko stores, providing quality name-brand merchandise, great values, pharmacy and optical services in small to mid-sized cities; 5 Shopko Express Rx stores, a convenient neighborhood drugstore concept; 5 Shopko Pharmacy locations; and 244 Shopko Hometown stores, a smaller concept store developed to meet the needs of smaller communities. For more information, visit www.shopko.com.
About Epilepsy
When a person has two unprovoked seizures or one unprovoked seizure with the likelihood of more, they are considered to have epilepsy. Epilepsy affects 3 million people in the U.S. and 65 million worldwide. This year, another 150,000 people will be diagnosed with epilepsy. Despite all available treatments, 4 out of 10 people with epilepsy continue to experience uncontrolled seizures while many more experience less than optimal seizure control.
About the Epilepsy Foundation
The Epilepsy Foundation, a national non-profit with nearly 50 local organizations throughout the U.S., has led the fight against seizures since 1968. The Foundation is an unwavering ally for individuals and families impacted by epilepsy and seizures. The mission of the Epilepsy Foundation is: to lead the fight to overcome the challenges of living with epilepsy and to accelerate therapies to stop seizures, find cures, and save lives. The Foundation works to ensure that people with seizures have the opportunity to live their lives to their fullest potential. For additional information, please visit epilepsy.com.
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