7-Eleven Gets in the Holiday Spirit

DALLAS -- In 2010, actor Will Ferrell finger-painted a snowman for 7-Eleven Inc.'s holiday coffee cup. Two years later, the actor's 5-year-old son Matthias has taken on the same role.

Like his father, Matthias drew a snowman, but his cup design flanks the snowman with candy canes on a light blue cup that features his father's autograph and the Cancer for College charity's logo.

The actor and his son are hoping to raise money for College for Charity, founded by Craig Pollard, a cancer survivor, fraternity brother and friend of Ferrell's. As part of the promotion, 7-Eleven announced it would donate $360,000 to the charity.

"If you compare the snowman Matthias drew for 7-Eleven's holiday cup this year with the one I drew by myself in 2010, you can tell right away where he gets his talent," Ferrell said. "Both cups have snowmen and both give our family an opportunity to support Cancer for College, a great charity that helps cancer survivors get on with their lives -- lives that may have been put on hold because of illness, treatment and resulting financial hardship."

The snowman cups are available now and will be sold until Dec. 31 or while supplies last. The cups can be filled with any 7-Eleven hot beverage and customized with an assortment of creams, syrups and spices for free.

"Two years ago, 7-Eleven helped Will [Ferrell] spread the world about a little-known, but worthwhile organization that is important to him in a personal way," said Laura Gordon, 7-Eleven's vice president of brand innovation. "Cancer for College has helped families who have been left with few financial resources for education after paying extraordinary medical expenses to save their child. 7-Eleven is supporting this organization by making a donation and raising awareness about such a commendable cause."

Cancer for College was founded in 1993 and has provided more than $1.75 million in scholarships to more than 1,000 cancer survivors and amputees.