The Nevada chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation held its annual Great Strides fundraising walkathon in Las Vegas on April 9th at the campus of UNLV. Senior Manager Pete Bowman answered the call for support and sent in the following story:

It was a gorgeous spring morning in Arizona and at the crack of dawn TASC Force Team Members from all four Phoenix area BJ's started to arrive at the Tempe Town Lake Park.  The anticipation of the walk, the adrenaline of being outdoors with the fresh air and the excitement of participating in this great walk had all of our Team Members and their families buzzing!  The Muscular Dystrophy Association organized a beautiful walk, complete with breakfast and live music before the 5K trek began.  It was the first time that all of our restaurants in Arizona participated in an

The following eloquent words are from Senior Manager Scott Sweeney: “The Strides Against Breast Cancer” turnout was, simply put, amazing.

Senior Manager Scott Sweeney of BJ’s Roseville, CA forwarded this moving account of TM Whitney Hall’s work with the Me-One Foundation.

Chuck Stanley, Senior Manager at BJ’s La Mesa, CA, is a veteran TASC Force leader. Here’s his latest heartfelt story:  Expectant parents are often asked “What are you hoping for?”  The answer is usually “We don't care, as long as our child is healthy."  What would you do if your child wasn't born fully healthy?  Parents want what's best for their children regardless of the situation. Sometimes to get the best for your child, you have to take action.

Quality Coordinator Dara Balber and team members Heather Wild and Edward Ploughman from BJ’s Citrus Park, Florida, helped with the “Relay for Life” held at a local elementary school. Cancer survivors and their supporters, in near 100 degree temperatures, walked around a nearby park for 24 hours and our TASC Force team served dinner to 70 survivors.  Dara writes, “It was a great event and we enjoyed working it. We have made lifelong guests from the people in attendance.”

Here is Michelle Sands’ story about organizing a TASC Force team in San Antonio in tribute to her friend: I first learned of the Race for the Cure several years ago from a very special friend, however this is was my first opportunity to participate and make an impact in the fight against breast cancer. I have a personal connection in this fight- my best friend, Jan, was first diagnosed with breast cancer 6 years ago, I have been honored to be beside her in her fight.

We were so pleased to represent BJ's at this year’s Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. Every three minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S, and our team was there to help support the efforts to find a cure. This is what the race represents. The race is the fight to survive, and in this case, the struggle and fight to cross the finish line. The Race was held here in Sacramento at Cal Expo where thousands of supporters and companies came out. We were able to register around 70 team members from BJ's!

Jay Clark, General Manager of BJ’s in Palmdale’s story:

Thanks go to Melissa Diamond, AGM in BJ’s Mesa, Arizona. Melissa and her TASC Force team have participated in several community activities in the past, and this time they supported the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.