ARTICLE
100% OF PANERA BREAD’S ‘PIECES OF HOPE FOR AUTISM’ COOKIES APRIL 8-14 TO BENEFIT THE DAN MARINO FOUNDATION Covelli Enterprises’ support for autism organizations surpasses $2 million Fort Lauderdale, FL – April 4, 2019– Covelli Enterprises, the largest franchisee of Panera Bread, is partnering again with the Dan Marino Foundation during the month of April through the launch of its ‘Pieces of Hope for Autism’ cookie campaign in honor of Autism Awareness month. Monday, April 8 through Sunday, April 14, 100% of the proceeds from all ‘Pieces of Hope’ cookie sales will be donated to the cause. The puzzle piece cookie has been specially designed to represent the symbol for autism and will be sold in all 31 cafes in Broward County and Palm Beach County. Since 2010, Covelli Enterprises has donated more than $2 million in the areas it serves to support various autism organizations, schools, and centers in providing services, scholarships, research, treatment, advocacy, and resources for families. “The ‘Pieces of Hope for Autism’ campaign is our largest company-wide initiative that we host every year. It involves more than 215 participating Panera locations in eight states and the hard work of more than 450 bakers to create these special, life-changing cookies,” said Sam Covelli, Owner/Operator of Covelli Enterprises. “We put everything we have behind this one-week campaign because our cookies have made such a significant difference for our partners and those with autism within the communities we serve.” From now through the end of May, Panera Bread will also be collecting Community Breadbox donations at the registers of all Broward County and Palm Beach County bakery-cafes. “We’re proud to once again partner with Covelli Enterprises - Panera Bread for the 9th year. Our Foundation appreciates their leadership in showing acceptance and their generosity in giving back to the autism community. Every cookie purchased makes a difference. The ‘Pieces of Hope for Autism’ cookies are the best, just like the Panera Bread team that bakes them,” said Dan Marino, Chairman of The Dan Marino Foundation. Panera Bread is encouraging ‘Pieces of Hope’ campaign supporters to share photos of their cookies on social media using #everycookiecounts. Cookies may be pre-ordered online at www.covelli.com/autism. The puzzle piece cookie is sold only in Covelli-owned and operated Panera Bread cafés each year. The cookie consists of Panera Bread’s famous shortbread topped with sweet white icing and an edible sugar decal and is made completely free of any artificial colors, flavors, additives or preservatives. About Covelli Enterprises Covelli Enterprises operates 315 Panera Bread bakery-cafés in eight states. Headquartered in Warren, Ohio, Covelli Enterprises is the single largest franchisee of Panera Bread, LLC. In 2018, Covelli Enterprises donated more than $32 million to hunger relief agencies and non-profit organizations. www.covelli.com About The Dan Marino Foundation The Dan Marino Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 organization was established by Dan and Claire Marino, motivated by their experiences in raising their son, Michael, who is diagnosed with autism. For over 27 years, the Foundation has been a leader in innovation and change, "empowering individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.” The Foundation has raised more than $72 million to create unique and impactful initiatives in the community. Among these first-of-their-kind initiatives are the Nicklaus Children's Hospital Dan Marino Outpatient Center, the Marino Autism Research Institute, Marino Adapted Aquatics, Summer STEPS Employment Programs, Virtual Interactive Training Agent Program (ViTA-DMF), and now post-secondary programs at both Marino Campus in Broward and at FIU in Miami-Dade. For more information, please visit ?danmarinofoundation.org, marinocampus.org? or ViTADMF.org.