Emily Progin, Content Manager
[email protected] / 800.642.8399
Release: Immediate
MAR. 19: PIZZA FUNDRAISER TO HELP SPECIAL 15-YEAR-OLD
“Raise a Slice” and Help James Get a Wheelchair Van
schaumburg, Ill.—On Wednesday, March 19, raise a slice for a cause to help the family of 15-year-old James Faulkerson fundraise for a wheelchair van. Mention James’ name and Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria will donate 20% of your eligible orders to the nonprofit Help Hope Live in his honor to fundraise for a van.
Fundraiser Details
When: Wednesday, March 19 – see hours below per location.
Where:
- Lou Malnati’s Schaumburg
- 11 am to 11 pm
- Dine-in, carry-out, and delivery
- Use code GPFUND24 for online or app orders
- Lou Malnati’s Bloomingdale
- 4 pm to 10 pm
- Carry-out and delivery
- Use code GPFUND24 for online or app orders
- Lou Malnati’s Hoffman Estates
- 4 pm to 10 pm
- Carry-out and delivery
- Use code GPFUND24 for online or app orders
What: 20% of eligible sales will go to a good cause. Must mention James!
Cause: Proceeds will go to the nonprofit Help Hope Live in honor of James Fulkerson, a 15-year-old living with rare disabilities, to help fund a van.
Flyer: Attached
Can’t make it? Donate! Online donations can be made at any time at: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/21730/
James’s Story
Before he was born, James experienced a stroke that resulted in quadriplegic cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Now 15, James needs 24/7 caregiving and intensive medical support—but that has not prevented him from living a full life.
James is unable to swallow, which means he receives his food and necessary medications through a tube in the wall of his abdomen. He needs frequent suctioning by a caregiver since he cannot swallow on his own.
James can’t hold his head up or sit up on his own, and he can’t close his eyes on his own, which means he needs constant eye gel or drops in place of blinking.
Battling through countless hospitalizations, procedures, and unique medical challenges, this rare 15-year-old is still an active part of his community and an active participant in his own life. James graduated from junior high in 2023.
Mom Stacy Fulkerson stepped away from her teaching career to become James’s full-time caregiver. She works from home picking up as many odd jobs as she can to stay available for any medical needs James may have during his schooldays.
Fundraising became a necessity for James’s family in 2023 to help with the cost of an accessible van to maintain his access to school and critical medical appointments. While parents Stacy and Jeff put a small down payment on a used van, they need help to maintain the payments without extreme financial stress.
That’s why they are fundraising with the trusted national nonprofit Help Hope Live. The community’s generosity has already raised over $27,000 towards their fundraising goal—and they hope this pizza fundraiser will allow them to go the extra mile with James as they continue to shower their precious teen with love and care.
Donations can be made online at: https://helphopelive.org/campaign/21730/
Donations to Help Hope Live are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law, and all funds raised will be administered by the nonprofit to cover verified medical and related expenses. Help Hope Live verifies medical and financial need for every patient.
Help Hope Live is a national nonprofit that specializes in engaging communities in secure, tax-deductible fundraising campaigns for people who need a transplant or are affected by a catastrophic injury or illness. Since 1983, campaigns organized by Help Hope Live have raised over $188 million to pay patient expenses. ###
