WEST DES MOINES, IOWA (June 14, 2019) — Hy-Vee Inc, in conjunction with The Jel Sert Company, the American Childhood Cancer Organization (ACCO), and 10 children’s hospitals, announced a new partnership in seven cities throughout the Midwest to bring unlimited flavored ice-pops to hospitalized children. The partnership with Hy-Vee further expands Jel Sert and the ACCO’s “Take a Pop, Share a Smile” program for hospitalized children battling cancer and other illnesses.
“There are a lot of children who are dealing with serious illnesses in hospitals throughout our eight-state region, and this partnership provides just a little more comfort, especially to those young kids who are battling cancer,” said Randy Edeker, chairman of the board, CEO and president of Hy-Vee. “None of this is possible without our great partners who helped create a program that aligns with our mission to be a good community partner.”
In 2010, Jel Sert and the ACCO launched the “Take a Pop, Share a Smile” program, which is designed to help childhood cancer-patients across the country. As the primary sponsor of the program, national food and beverage manufacturer Jel Sert is donating the freezers and ice-pops to the hospitals and providing ongoing refills and service to the freezers at these hospital locations. To date, Jel Sert has placed freezers in more than 140 facilities across the country, providing more than 1 million treats to ease symptoms and help with hydration.
"We are thrilled that Hy-Vee has joined The Jel Sert Company to support the ACCO with the ‘Take a Pop, Share a Smile’ program," said Ken Wegner, president of The Jel Sert Company. "The team at Hy-Vee has already made an incredible impact in the communities they serve, and together, we will continue raising awareness for childhood cancer to make it a national health priority."
Knowing the relief and joy an icy treat can bring, especially for children in treatment, Jel Sert generously provides pediatric cancer hospitals with a continuous supply of Fla-Vor-Ice freezer-pops in a freezer decorated with logos from all partners.
“We are thankful for Hy-Vee and Jel Sert’s generous corporate support to help expand the ‘Take a Pop, Share a Smile’ program in the Midwest,” said Jamie Bloyd, the ACCO’S director of government relations and external affairs. “Many of our board members and staff are parents of children who have been diagnosed with cancer and have witnessed firsthand the impact an ice-pop can have, especially during the most grueling parts of treatment. We hope this is the beginning of a long partnership with Hy-Vee.”
Beginning on June 17, Hy-Vee and its partners will host media events in the seven cities where freezers are being donated, where they will talk about the program’s introduction to local hospitals and the benefits of ice-pops for young patients.
About Hy-Vee Inc
Hy-Vee Inc is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 245 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of $10 billion annually. The supermarket chain is synonymous with quality, variety, convenience, healthy lifestyles, culinary expertise, and superior customer-service. Hy-Vee ranks in the Top 10 Most Trusted Brands and has been named one of America’s Top 5 favorite grocery stores. The company’s more than 80,000 employees provide “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle” to customers every day. For additional information, visit www.hy-vee.com.
About The Jel Sert Company
The Jel Sert Company is a family-owned business that's been at the forefront of innovation in the food-and-beverage industry since 1926. For nearly a century, generations of families have enjoyed Jel Sert's products, which include dessert-mixes, drink-mixes, ready-to-drink beverages, and freezer-bars. The Jel Sert Company’s products are exclusively made in West Chicago, Illinois, with over 1,000 employees sharing the company's passion for creating high-quality, high-value products. For more information, visit www.jelsert.com
About the American Childhood Cancer Organization™ (ACCO)
The American Childhood Cancer Organization was founded in Washington DC in 1970 by parents of children and adolescents diagnosed with cancer to advocate for their needs and support-research so every child survives and leads a long and healthy life. The nation’s largest grassroots organization at the forefront of the crucial battle against childhood cancer, the ACCO is dedicated to shaping policy, supporting research, raising awareness, and providing educational resources and innovative programs to children with cancer, survivors, and their families. Since its inception, the ACCO has helped support more than half a million families affected by childhood cancer. ACCO now has 35 local ACCO affiliates known as Founding Hope chapters throughout the United States.
