MEMPHIS, Tenn., Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The 19th annual Halloween Promotion kicks off today and encourages people nationwide to make a donation in exchange for a festive pinup to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®, the nation's top ranked children's cancer hospital.

During the month-long Halloween Promotion, thousands of restaurants, convenience stores, grocery stores and retail locations nationwide will ask consumers to make a $1 donation to St. Jude. Donations support the hospital's groundbreaking research and lifesaving care for kids battling catastrophic childhood diseases. In exchange for their contribution, donors receive a personalized pumpkin-themed pinup that will adorn the wall of the establishment throughout the month of October.

"The support we receive for the Halloween Promotion from participating companies and their customers is invaluable to the continued success of St. Jude's mission," said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude. "We are the only children's cancer hospital in the country where no child is ever denied treatment because the family can't pay and each dollar donated helps in our fight to find cures for cancer and other deadly childhood diseases."

Since the program began in 1992, MillerCoors, its distributors and other retailers have raised more than $47 million for the children of St. Jude. Last year, the promotion surpassed its goal of $5 million, raising almost $6.5 million for the hospital.

Pinups can be found at the following establishments: AI's Formal Wear, Buffalo Wild Wings, Casey's General Stores, DTLR, E-Z Mart, Fox & Hound Restaurant Group, Hess, Huddle House, Palm Beach Tan, Petland, Pizza Patron, Pollo Tropical, Save-A-Lot and zpizza. Visit www.stjude.org/halloween for a list of all participating locations and to learn more about the Halloween Promotion.