Tonight: Krispy Kreme Hosts Hamels Foundation Fundraiser

Phillies fans who can't wait for the April 5 season opener can get a tasty preview tonight at with a fundraiser for the (Cole) Hamels Foundation.

From 5:30 to 7:30pm, customers will have a chance to win items autographed by the left-handed ace while making donations to support his education-focused charity. A promotions team from 102.9 WMGK-FM will also be on hand to distribute giveaways.

Collingswood was an ideal location for the foundation to host a big fundraising event, said Braden Young, Philadelphia-area marketing manager for .

“It’s a tight-knit, close community,” he said. “Sometimes there’s still a nice line as if we opened last week. [The store has] become a nice community place.”

Krispy Kreme is helping the Hamels Foundation fund-raise throughout the entire month of March, with a minimum goal of raising $5,000. The centerpiece of its efforts is the “Hamels Dozen,” which mixes in doughnuts decorated to look like baseballs and others coated with red and white jimmies with its traditional glazed-doughnut dozen.

"If you donate one dollar, you get a free glazed doughnut at your next visit," said store manager Jim Ruvofker. "If you donate five dollars, you get a free half-dozen at your next visit."

Ten percent of all sales of the Hamels Dozen will also be donated to the foundation, said Young. At the Tuesday night event, anyone who makes a donation or buys a dozen donuts will be automatically entered in a drawing to win an autographed Cole Hamels baseball bat.

Young also mentioned that the shop holds a monthly decorate-your-own-doughnut night, usually the on the last Thursday of the calendar. He said Krispy Kreme is excited to participate in other Collingswood events throughout the calendar year.

“We’re excited for all the events that we weren’t able to get to last year, like the May Fair,” he said. “We want to make sure that people know we’re there.”