A&W and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada thank Canadians for their incredible support

VANCOUVER, Aug. 30, 2012 /CNW/ -- A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. is proud to announce that its fourth annual Cruisin' for a Cause Day, held last week on August 23, raised $1.25 million in support of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada and its mission to be a leader in finding a cure for MS and enabling the lives of those touched by the disease.  In total, Cruisin' for a Cause Day has raised more than $3.3 million over the past four years to help end MS in communities across the country.

"The ongoing enthusiasm and commitment to this very important cause has been outstanding," said Paul Hollands, President and CEO, A&W Food Services of Canada. "On behalf of A&W, I would like to thank and congratulate all of our customers, staff, franchisees, car clubs, the MS Society and other supporters across Canada who helped us reach this significant goal."

For the first time, two restaurants, one in Grand Prairie, Alta. and one in St. John's, N.L. each raised more than $17,000. Notably, another four restaurants - in Regina, Sask., Acheson, Alta., and two in Fort McMurray, Alta. - raised more than $11,000 each.

"When our partnership with A&W began four years ago, we had no idea how much Cruisin' for a Cause would grow, or how much impact it would have in communities across the country. This year, over 750 A&W restaurants teamed up with us to make this day a success, and help us raise awareness and funds on behalf of Canadians living with multiple sclerosis ," said Yves Savoie, President and CEO, MS Society of Canada. "Thank you to the entire A&W family for their commitment to further MS research and to help support those touched by MS."

A&W restaurants across Canada helped raise funds through the sale of cut-outs, customer contributions and donations of $1 from every Teen Burger® sold on August 23.  Cruisin' for a Cause (or le Rendez-vous A&W pour stopper la SP as it is known in Quebec) raised both funds and awareness of multiple sclerosis through a variety of events including classic car gatherings, retro music, car hop service and car hop relay races, and Great A&W Root Bear® visits.

Canada has one of the highest incidence rates of multiple sclerosis in the world, making research and support for people with MS and their families critical. Multiple sclerosis is the most common neurological disease of young adults in Canada and affects from 55,000 to 75,000 Canadians.

Cruisin' for a Cause Day is a fundraising event affiliated with A&W's national Cruisin' the Dub program, which began over a decade ago at a grassroots level in various communities. It was created by classic car enthusiasts who enjoyed gathering at A&W restaurants to share their passion for their vintage autos.   The popular fundraiser creates an opportunity for the many Canadians who grew up enjoying warm summer evenings at the drive-in—often with the radio blaring and trays of Teen Burgers®, fresh made onion rings and icy cold A&W Root Beer® delivered to their car by car hops—to revisit those fond memories while supporting the MS Society of Canada.

A&W Food Services of Canada Inc. is 100 per cent Canadian owned and is one of the strongest brand names in the Canadian foodservice industry. A&W is the nation's second largest hamburger restaurant company with over 750 locations coast-to-coast.  A&W Restaurants feature famous trade-marked menu items such as The Burger Family®, Chubby Chicken®, and A&W Root Beer®. For more information, please visit www.aw.ca.

About multiple sclerosis and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, often disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord. It is the most common neurological disease of young adults in Canada. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 40, and the unpredictable effects of MS last for the rest of their lives. The MS Society provides services to people with MS and their families and funds research to find the cause and cure for this disease. Please visit www.mssociety.ca or call 1-800-268-7582 to make a donation or for more information.

Image with caption: "4th Annual Cruisin' for a Cause Day: On Thursday, August 23, A&W's Cruisin' for a Cause Day raised over $1.25 million for the MS Society of Canada. On this day, $1 from every Teen Burger® sold across the country was donated to help end MS. Pictured here: Paul Hollands (left), President and CEO, A&W Food Services of Canada, and Yves Savoie, President and CEO, MS Society of Canada, were joined by the Great A&W Root Bear® during the kick-off for Cruisin' for a Cause Day at Bayers Lake A&W in Halifax, N.S. (CNW Group/A&W Food Services of Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120830_C2739_PHOTO_EN_17383.jpg

SOURCE: A&W Food Services of Canada Inc.