Jersey Mike’s Hits $1.2 Million for Pediatric Rehab with Record Month of Giving
On the afternoon of Sunday, June 1, an enthusiastic group of franchise owners, store managers and team members from across the state gathered at Tobacco Road Sports Café in downtown Raleigh—all there to celebrate the culmination of Jersey Mike’s Month of Giving, which this year raised over $478,000 for the Fitch Family Comprehensive Pediatric Rehabilitation Program at UNC Children’s.
It marked the most successful Month of Giving yet and brought the three-year total to more than $1.2 million in support of children recovering from life-changing injuries and illnesses.
Stephanie D. Davis, MD, chair of the Department of Pediatrics, opened the program with thanks and perspective. “At UNC Children’s, we serve kids from all 100 counties in North Carolina,” she said. “The Fitch Program allows us to give them not just care, but continuity, dignity, and a chance to thrive again.”
David and Meredith Fitch joined the group and David shared some reflections on why the support of organizations like Jersey Mike’s has been so meaningful to his family and to everyone who is working so hard to build something special for children in North Carolina.
The Fitch Rehab Program was created to bring high-quality, coordinated pediatric rehabilitation services under one roof. From inpatient care at UNC Children’s Hospital to outpatient services at the Center for Rehabilitation Care, the program helps children relearn essential skills, navigate new challenges, and regain independence. Recent gifts have helped fund a Pediatric Rehab Nurse Coordinator, the launch of the REACH support team, and new tools for clinicians, allowing them to provide even better care for patients.
Josh Alexander, MD, who directs the program, spoke next. “This isn’t just about recovery,” he said. “It’s about helping kids move again, speak again, laugh again. It’s about giving them a shot at their future.” He also acknowledged the impactful vision of the Fitch family and previewed a major milestone ahead: the program’s first endowed professorship in pediatric rehabilitation.
One of the most powerful moments came from Annie Anderson, a former patient who spoke alongside her family. After undergoing brain surgery to repair malformed blood vessels, Annie began the long process of recovery—first relearning basic movements, then rebuilding strength and balance. She later worked closely with Dr. Elizabeth Barton at UNC, continuing her rehabilitation and regaining the confidence to return to one of her greatest passions. Before surgery, she could ride horses. After months of therapy, she learned to jump them.
The event closed with remarks from Jacob Jewell, a local operations director at Jersey Mike’s, who thanked the team and reflected on the culture that Jersey Mike’s founder Peter Cancro built and the importance of a community coming together to support causes like the Fitch Rehab Program.
As guests mingled over drinks and hors d’oeuvres and gathered for a group photo, the pride in the room was unmistakable. A campaign built one sandwich at a time had become a lasting investment in the futures of North Carolina’s children.
