"We are extremely proud of our employees’ efforts to raise funds for The V Foundation as it continues to make strides in cancer research," said Michael Olander, President and CEO of the Apple Gold Group. "This fundraiser would not be a success without the generosity of our guests and employees and we are grateful for their support of this cause. Cancer has affected so many people in our communities, our state and our nation, and we are honored to support The V Foundation in its fight against cancer."

From March 7 through April 2, employees of the Apple Gold Group’s 52 North Carolina Applebee’s asked guests to donate $1 or more towards The V Foundation for Cancer Research. In return for their donation, guests were given paper basketballs to personalize and hang in the restaurant. In the spirit of the tournament season, guests were able to choose from several different basketballs representing Duke, UNC, NC State and other local universities. The basketballs were then displayed in the restaurant to encourage other guests to participate, sometimes even provoking a little friendly competition between supporters of the different schools to see who would donate the most.   

In addition to the paper basketballs, the Apple Gold Group’s employees organized other fundraising activities to supplement the basketball sales, including softball and corn hole tournaments and "Jimmy Jail," a mock jail cell where the Apple Gold Group COO, Bob Frame, was "locked up" until he raised $2,000 in donations.

"We are honored and thankful for the commitment and passion of the Apple Gold Group’s employees and guests," said Nick Valvano, CEO of The V Foundation for Cancer Research. "Their strong determination in the fight against cancer helps move us one step closer each year to finding a cure for this disease and we are truly appreciative of their efforts."