The 2026 Special Olympics will kick off in Minnesota later this year, with 3,000 athletes competing from June 20 to 26 at the University of Minnesota, including 189 Team Minnesota athletes. This being so, Jersey Mike’s is partnering with the Special Olympics to support athletes. Cottage Grove residents can help raise money to support athletes by visiting Jersey Mike’s on Wednesday, March 25 for the Day of Giving.
Part of the larger Month of Giving, the Day of Giving March 25 will see a full 100 percent of sales—not just profit— will go towards helping the Special Olympics and its athletes. Local Jersey Mike’s franchise owner Kavrin McGuire shared more on what it’s about and how people can help.
“All you have to do is come into any Jersey Mike’s in the state,” he said, “Any purchase, 100 percent of sales will be donated to the Special Olympics.”
Bounce back cards are another way for people to donate, with a $1 donation resulting in $1 off the next visit, a $3 donation obtaining free chips and drink on the next visit, a $5 donation resulting in buy one, get one free on the next visit, and a $10 bounce back donation yielding a free sub on the next visit.
“It’s very unique in the quick service industry to see a brand have such a strong partnership with a charitable organization,” McGuire said of Jersey Mike’s and the Special Olympics.
Kaitlyn Mack, Senior Corporate Relations Manager for Special Olympics Minnesota, shared what the partnership with Jersey Mike’s means to the Special Olympics.
“We’re very appreciative of the partnership with Jersey Mike’s,” she said. “Both in the month of March and the Day of Giving.”
All donations in March and sales March 25 go to support athletes with the Special Olympics.
“The funds raised support Minnesota sports and athletics,” Mack said. With 8,000 athletes statewide for Special Olympics Minnesota, the funds raised also help support the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games, as well as year‑round sports, health, leadership, and school-based inclusion programs statewide. Month of Giving contributions help sustain training, coaching, equipment, transportation, competition opportunities, and health resources for the entire Special Olympics community.
Planned for Minneapolis later this summer, the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games will bring together athletes, coaches, and Unified partners, along with over 10,000 volunteers plus fans, with Minnesota sending a delegation of 250, also the largest. Donations made by visiting a Jersey Mike’s throughout the month of March and Day of Giving March 25 empower athletes not just to compete—but also to build confidence, leadership skills, lifelong friendships, and greater inclusion in their communities.
Since Month of Giving began in 2011, Jersey Mike’s has raised more than $143 million for local charities.
Participating Jersey Mike’s locations raising funds for the Special Olympics include Cottage Grove, Woodbury, and Hastings, with local residents able to support the Special Olympics by visiting their local Jersey Mikes to order a sub, as well as ordering online or through the app.
“It’s such a great organization; it’s such a great cause,” McGuire said. “We’re just trying to play a small part in that.”