Contact: Camille Carskadon

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State’s T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability is benefitting from Jersey Mike’s Subs 11th annual “Month of Giving,” with donations made through March 31, the company’s special “Day of Giving.”

Patrons currently can make donations to the T.K. Martin Center at the Starkville sandwich shop’s register or through its mobile application and, on March 31, all sales proceeds from this location will be donated to the center.

Jersey Mike’s dedicates the entire month to raising money for hundreds of charities across the country, and the local franchise announced its support for the MSU service center within the university’s College of Education last year. Part of the company’s business model and its “culture of giving” includes every franchise’s selection of a local charity to support.

Opened in 1996, the T.K. Martin Center serves individuals with disabilities to help them benefit from technological solutions, innovative assistive technology and education. Staff provide comprehensive, multi-disciplinary evaluations and services to remove limitations through evidence-based practice, training and educational support. Programs include Project IMPACT Preschool for early intervention; Assistive Technology Services to help with adaptive technologies; Express Yourself! art, recreational and vocational program; IGNITE Reading/Dyslexia Services; and Early Intervention Evaluations.

Director Kasee Stratton-Gadke said she and other T.K. Martin Center staff couldn’t be more appreciative of the sub sandwich restaurant and local franchise owner Bret Dunnaway for selecting the center as their local charity choice. While the 2020 Day of Giving was canceled due to COVID-19, the business still donated more than $3,500 to the center last March.

“This year, we hope there is a line out of the door all day long!” Stratton-Gadke said. “The community has been so supportive, and this is another great opportunity for folks to contribute to our team’s great work.”

Stratton-Gadke said donations really make a difference to the center, which is funded through grants and gifts.

“The Day of Giving event can have a significant impact on our ability to provide valuable services in our special needs preschool program and to support our assistive technology staff,” she said.

Established in 1903, MSU’s College of Education is home to six academic departments, one research unit and numerous service units. For more about the college, visit www.educ.msstate.edu. The T.K. Martin Center is online at www.tkmartin.msstate.edu.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.