VIP Tires & Service, based in Lewiston, Maine, announced it raised $45,216 for Make-A-Wish during its eighth annual Season of Wishes Initiative, which encourages customer and employee donations to the organization during November and December. Every Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts VIP store participated. The funds raised in 2015 doubled what the company raised in 2014.
For the third year in a row, VIP president and CEO, John Quirk personally matched the total raised by the company’s 56 stores. On January 26, 2016, Quirk presented a $45,216 check to Make-A-Wish president, Nancy Koglmeier at the company’s headquarters. To date, VIP has raised nearly $300,000 for Make-A-Wish.
“We are so grateful to everyone at VIP Tires & Service who contributed to this annual campaign that makes such a big difference in the lives of local wish kids,” Koglmeier said. “The long-term commitment of their customers, staff, and leadership is inspiring.”
Make-A-Wish grants wishes to children diagnosed with life threatening medical conditions all across the country. In Maine and New Hampshire, Make-A-Wish fulfills an average of one gift to a seriously ill child every five days. Each wish costs an average of just over $7,000. This money is raised through fundraising efforts, such as the one undertaken by VIP. Wishes range from trips to theme parks, meeting a favorite athlete or celebrity, attending a major sporting event or concert, receiving a computer, tree house or shopping spree.
According to Make-A-Wish, Landonn, a boy from Maine who suffers from a severe seizure disorder, got his wish to meet the cast of his favorite show, Discovery Channel’s Alaska: The Last Frontier thanks to the donation made by VIP last year. Landonn traveled to Alaska with his family and got to watch the filming of an episode.
“Make-A-Wish is an organization that is near and dear to my heart and each holiday season we look forward to our Season of Wishes initiative,” Quirk said. “I am grateful for our customers and staff members who make this campaign a priority each year and for their help this past season in doubling what we raised last year. I look forward to seeing how these funds will bring joy to the families and children who need it the most.”
