Years ago, way back in college, I think I was taught the basics of writing and formulating a press release in my Business Writing class. Unfortunately none of that stuck so I had to start from scratch on this one.

My restaurants recently participated in the ubiquitous MDA shamrocks fundraiser and together raised over $800 for local families struggling with muscular dystrophy and related diseases. Should I just sit on this information and “feel good” about it? Heck no! I’m going to let everyone know, but how?

A press release is “an announcement of an event, performance, or other newsworthy item that is issued to the press.” Today I crafted my very first press release for actual distribution to real media. I sent it to the TV stations, newspapers and news radio stations in the Fargo area. I have included it here for your scrutiny:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local Restaurants Raise $1,000 to help MDA and Jerry’s Kids

(Fargo, ND) – Two local Pita Pit franchise restaurants partnered with the Muscular Dystrophy Association to raise money for research and treatment of the disease this St. Patrick’s Day. The effort was part of a program coordinated nationally by Pita Pit USA to sell paper shamrocks at each of its 158 franchise locations.

The restaurants, one on 13th Avenue South and one on Broadway in Fargo, together raised over $800 from customers who purchased shamrocks during the month-long fundraiser, with an additional amount provided by the restaurants’ owners.

Franchisee Ryan Jensen, whose company owns two Pita Pit locations in Fargo, said he is very proud of his employees and the community for their support. “I couldn’t believe the positive response from our regular customers — some purchased a shamrock on each visit to our restaurants during the month-long fundraiser,” Jensen said.

As three separate one-day promotions, The Pita Pit offered a free large drink and bag of potato chips for anyone who purchased a shamrock. “The promotions worked very well from a fundraising standpoint,” Jensen noted. “During the parade downtown on Saturday we gave away more than 120 combo upgrades and raised more than $140 for Jerry’s Kids.”

Money raised this year from the Pita Pit and other area businesses will support local efforts of the MDA to fight muscular dystrophy and related diseases.

The Pita Pit is a national chain of franchise restaurants offering unique pita pocket bread, grilled meats, fresh vegetables and a variety of sauces. Jensen Holding Group is an independent and locally-owned franchisee of Pita Pit USA.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary health agency working to defeat more than 40 neuromuscular diseases through programs of worldwide research, comprehensive services, and far-reaching professional and public health education.

The Association’s programs are funded almost entirely by individual private contributors.

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