Chuck E. Cheese Volunteers as Honorary Big for National Volunteer Month and Big Brothers Big Sisters

National program kicks off to bring focus to need for volunteers and funding in support of unmatched Littles


(Link to release on Chuck E. Cheese’s website)

IRVING, Texas (April X, 2015) – In honor of National Volunteer Month, Chuck E. Cheese’s, the preferred destination for Big Brothers Big Sisters, is raising awareness of the more than 30,000 unmatched Littles in need of a Big. Chuck E. himself is kicking off a nationwide honorary Big program by becoming a Big for a day to a Little in Dallas. Throughout the month, all Chuck E. Cheese’s locations will also offer guests opportunities to support Big Brothers Big Sisters by donating at the register or participating in a National Night Out event on April 14.

Starting in Dallas, Big Brothers Big Sisters will match Chuck E. with a deserving Little for a surprise visit to his or her school, followed by an after school play date during Chuck E. Cheese’s National Night Out event on April 14 from 5 p.m.–9 p.m. National Night Out is a nationwide event in which a portion of the proceeds from all who attend will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters.

“Since becoming immersed in the work Big Brothers Big Sisters does, I have learned how important it is for kids, especially those in a vulnerable situation, to have a positive adult presence in their lives,” said Tom Leverton, CEO of CEC Entertainment, Inc. “Chuck E. is a hero to kids. And by serving as an honorary Big, we can help bring awareness to the need for more volunteers, as well as joy to Littles across the country. And it’s not just Chuck E., we’re encouraging our employees to join the program and look for ways to give back to this organization that makes such a difference in the lives of our children.”

“Thousands of children are waiting to be matched with a mentor, and in addition to the need for volunteers to fill this gap, many do not realize that there is also a financial need to make these matches,” said Pam Iorio, President and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. “Our partnership with Chuck E. Cheese’s and the honorary Big program is a wonderful opportunity for people to learn more about Big Brothers Big Sisters and get involved in a simple way. We’re very proud to have Chuck E. Cheese’s support.”

Chuck E. Cheese’s honorary Big program will kick off in Dallas and roll out nationwide to bring awareness to the need for volunteers and help bring joy to Little’s across the country all year long. In addition to the National Night Out events, Chuck E. Cheese’s will also give guests the opportunity to make a $1, $5 or any donation amount at the register.

All year long, Bigs, Littles and Big Brothers Big Sisters staff will receive a special value deal: 25 tokens, one medium one-topping pizza and two drinks for only $17.99*. By contacting their local chapter, Bigs will receive a value coupon that can be used at any Chuck E. Cheese’s location.

The ultimate destination for family fun, Chuck E. Cheese’s is “the place Where A Kid Can Be A Kid®.” Chuck E. Cheese’s features food and entertainment options such as a new Thin & Crispy pizza, wraps, a salad bar and games appropriate for toddlers, kids, teens and adults.

To find your nearest Chuck E. Cheese’s location, visit chuckecheese.com.

To learn how to volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters, visit bbbs.org in the US or bigbrothersbigsisters.ca in Canada.

* Pricing may vary in Canada locations.

About CEC Entertainment, Inc.

For more than 35 years, CEC Entertainment has served as the nationally recognized leader in family dining and entertainment and the place Where A Kid Can Be A Kid®. As the award-winning, number-one, kid-friendly restaurant for millions of families across the world, the company and its franchisees operate a system of more than 575 Chuck E. Cheese’s stores located in 47 states and 10 foreign countries or territories. Chuck E. Cheese’s goal is to create positive, lifelong memories for families through fun, food and play inside and outside of its stores. Each Chuck E. Cheese’s features musical entertainment, games, rides and play areas for kids of all ages, as well as a variety of freshly prepared dining options. Committed to providing a fun, safe environment, Chuck E. Cheese’s helps protect families through industry-leading programs such as Kid Check®.

As a strong advocate for its local communities and childhood education, Chuck E. Cheese’s has donated more than $10 million to schools through its fundraising programs and is a proud sponsor of like-minded organizations such as PBS KIDS. For more information, visit www.chuckecheese.com or connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube and foursquare.

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of America

Big Brothers Big Sisters, the nation’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, holds itself accountable for children in its program to achieve measurable outcomes such as educational success, avoidance of risky behaviors, higher aspirations, greater confidence and better relationships. Partnering with parents/guardians, schools, corporations and others in the community, Big Brothers Big Sisters carefully pairs children (“Littles”) with screened volunteer mentors (“Bigs”) and monitors and supports these one-to-one mentoring matches throughout their course. The Big Brothers Big Sisters Youth Outcomes Survey substantiates that its mentoring programs have proven, positive academic, socio-emotional and behavioral outcomes for youth, areas linked to high school graduation, avoidance of juvenile delinquency and college or job readiness.

Big Brothers Big Sisters provides children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that change their lives for the better, forever. This mission has been the cornerstone of the organization’s 110-year history. With 331 agencies across the country, Big Brothers Big Sisters serves nearly 200,000 children, their families and 200,000 volunteer mentors. Learn more at www.BigBrothersBigSisters.org.