On May 10, Sailormen Inc., one of the largest domestic franchisees of Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen restaurants with 132 locations in five states, announced that its annual MDA Golf Classic and 2018 Appetite for a Cure program raised a record-breaking $1,007,789 for MDA to transform the lives of individuals with muscular dystrophy, ALS and related neuromuscular diseases.

The Sailormen Inc. Golf Classic celebrated its 14th anniversary on May 10 in Miami Lakes, Fla., at Don Shula’s Golf and Country Club. More than 60 companies sponsored the premier golf event and raised a total of $261,407 to help families served by MDA.

Additionally, this year’s Appetite for a Cure program ran from Jan. 29 through March 18 at participating Popeyes restaurants in South Florida and across the Southeast. The program raised $746,382 through the sale of $1 coupon cards worth $30 to be used toward free and discounted purchases during future visits to Popeyes. The commitment by Sailormen corporate and all of their employees to MDA’s mission contributed to a fundraising increase of nearly $200,000 over 2017.

“Our dedicated employees, loyal customers and supportive business partners are essential to making these events for MDA a huge success,” says Sailormen Inc. CEO Kara Nordstrom. “For 14 years, we have brought people together to spread awareness and support MDA kids and adults. Through the Sailormen Inc. Golf Tournament and our Appetite for a Cure campaign, I am proud to say we surpassed our $1 million goal. This is great momentum as we head into our partnership’s 15th anniversary in 2019.”

Funds raised during the annual coupon program and golf tournament help MDA fund groundbreaking research and life-enhancing services such as the MDA Care Center at the University of Miami School Of Medicine. It also helps to send kids ages 8 to 17 to MDA Summer Camp, “the best week of the year.”

Since 2002, Sailormen Inc. has raised more than $7 million for MDA.