“We actually had to go to Tuesday and Wednesday too,” Maureen says.

Organizations apply directly to the store’s franchise owners for consideration, and since July, Fund-Day Monday has helped raise money for PTAs, sports teams, youth groups, sororities and the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. It has also helped purchase a wheelchair ramp for a little girl with cystic fibrosis and raised money for a cause in Cambodia, among a huge assortment of other causes.

“We were booked all the way into February by August,” Brandon says.

In October, the store partnered with Komen Columbus to offer 20 percent of all Sunday proceeds to the organization. The endeavor raised about $2,800 to aid local efforts to increase awareness of breast cancer. The store will repeat the promotion in May.

Even a small amount can make a huge difference to a smaller organization in need of a boost, Brandon says.

Whether it’s the popularity of the fro-yo or the commitment to fundraising, Westerville has responded well to its Orange Leaf. The store was actually the top-selling franchise in the country for a time, an impressive feat considering Orange Leaf has close to 200 franchises in 28 states.

“Our line was out the door for three hours every day for two to three months,” says Maureen.

The Rosses and Jones are all Westerville residents.

Maureen is no stranger to business in Westerville – she owned Nature’s Collections for more than 10 years and was also owner of Infusion dance studio. Brandon, who was in vacation real estate prior to opening Orange Leaf, is an avid Buckeyes fan and outdoorsman. Jones is an attorney.

Interested in setting up a fundraiser of your own? Call 614-898-5323 for more information.

Garth Bishop is editor of Westerville Magazine. Feedback welcome at .