The Roosters Foundation recently surpassed $1 million in fundraising for the OSUCCC – James through a decade of support from its annual Roosters Charitable Golf Outing that benefits the Urban and Shelley Meyer Fund for Cancer Research, as well as support for the Buckeye Cruise for Cancer, where Roosters has a strong presence.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate 10 years of fundraising for The James,” says Nicole Cox, Roosters director of marketing and public relations. “From the Roosters team members to our vendors and guests, we are all dedicated to doing our part to help buy pieces of equipment and fund research.”
Roosters really demonstrates what it means to be a community partner, says Jennifer McDonald, assistant vice president for development at the OSUCCC – James. “The way they engage their entire team in supporting our efforts and the heart they display in everything they do is really remarkable. We are just so grateful for their generosity, which has an incredible impact on our researchers, our staff and ultimately our patients.”
Roosters reached the $1 million fundraising milestone as the company’s vendors and other guests celebrated 10 years of raising money for cancer research during Roosters’ most recent golf outing. Each year, a dedicated group of mostly repeat guests gathers for a fun day on the course, a silent auction, a “Hen House” prize raffle and inspirational speakers — but the reason for the event is never far from anyone’s minds. “In honor of” signs throughout the course remind golfers of the cancer patients and survivors they are playing for. Next year’s event has already sold out.
The majority of Roosters’ fundraising has benefitted the Urban and Shelley Meyer Fund, which supports research for all types of cancer at the OSUCCC – James. Dan Ponton, CEO of Roosters and co-owner of the 43-store brand with Bob and Corrine Frick, recalls his first meeting with the Meyers, where they talked passionately about cancer research. “We thought it would be a five-minute meeting with these busy people, but it turned into a 45-minute meeting as they told us about their fund and the research it enables, and we told them about our foundation and the impact we have on the community. It was a natural fit.”
Among other things, the Meyer Fund has enabled a phase I clinical trial for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer, led to a groundbreaking study on anaplastic thyroid cancer, and established the Urban Meyer III and Shelley Meyer Chair for Cancer Research that is held by nationally renowned surgeon and liver cancer expert Timothy Pawlik, MD, MPH, PhD.
When Ponton thinks about the advances made possible by the OSUCCC – James, he is grateful Roosters has played a role. “Everybody at The James is just a class act,” he says. “They’re always thanking us for all we do, and it’s like, ‘Are you guys kidding me? We can’t thank you enough for everything you do.’ That’s the kind of people they are.”
It’s not surprising that Ponton would have a humble perspective. Cox says Roosters fosters a family-like company culture, where employees work hard and take care of one another. Every employee — including those in corporate — starts out as a dishwasher or hostess. Cox started as a hostess 17 years ago in what she thought would be her college job, and she now handles marketing and public relations for the company. Her sister has worked for Roosters for 10 years, and her daughter recently started as a hostess. “Everyone in corporate has a child or a sibling or a spouse who works for Roosters,” she says. “It’s an amazing company, and it all filters down from the top.”
In addition to its philanthropy to the OSUCCC – James, Roosters provides annual support of over $1 million to other community initiatives. From offering “Fun Cards” for community fundraisers for things like athletics teams and marching bands, to donating Roosters Bucks for gift bags and raffles, the company endeavors to help in every way possible. “It’s so important to us to support the community,” says Cox. “After all, they’re the reason we’re in business.”