PORTLAND, Maine – During the holiday season, VIP Parts, Tires and Service successfully completed its fifth annual campaign in conjunction with Make-A-Wish. Every VIP store participated in this seasonal program promoting donations to Make-A-Wish that raised $36,762 in 2012. VIP Parts, Tires and Service donates $36,762 to Make-A-Wish after holding its fifth annual fundraising campaign for the non-profit organization. Pictured here from left to right: Adam Dunbar, member of Make-A-Wish Board of Directors; John Quirk, president and CEO of VIP Parts, Tires & Service; Tom Peaco, executive director of Make-A-Wish Maine; Tim Winkeler, COO of VIP Parts, Tires & Service
By giving stars to customers who made donations to Make-A-Wish, VIP raised not only critical funds, but also awareness of the tremendous work being done by this organization.
“Each branch collected donations for their local Make-A-Wish chapter,” said Tom Peaco, executive director of Make-A-Wish Maine. “In Maine, we grant a wish every five days and the average cost is $6,000. Partnering with VIP gives everyone the chance to donate as little or as much as they can to help a child living in their own state.”
VIP Parts, Tires and Service has partnered with Make-A-Wish to raise nearly $202,000 over the past five years. These funds have helped to grant 33 wishes to deserving children with life-threatening medical conditions in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Wishes range from trips to Walt Disney World to computer gaming systems, playhouses, dinosaur digs and more. One wish that will be granted thanks to support from VIP and its customers is a trip to Walt Disney World for Alice, age four, of Portland. Alice’s treatment has included six rounds of chemotherapy, two surgeries, radiation, antibody and immunotherapy. She finished the last of her treatments in December and is currently disease-free.
“The wish experience is not an isolated incidence,” said Peaco. “It creates an uplifting impact that stays with not only the wish child and family but also volunteers, donors and anyone else who made the wish possible.”
In the past, VIP Parts, Tires and Service has actively participated in car upgrades and shopping spree wishes.
“VIP Parts, Tires and Service is honored to be involved once again with Make-A-Wish and the wishes that they help grant to these amazing children,” said John Quirk, president and CEO of VIP Parts, Tires and Service.
Upcoming wishes include: Caleb, 9, of Turner whose wish is to go to Walt Disney World; Cameron, 9, of Brunswick who wishes to go to Legoland in California; Curtis, 16, of Wells who wishes to go skiing in Colorado; Nora, 14, of Fryeburg who wishes to go to Belize; and others.
To see complete wish stories including photographs and videos from these wishes, follow Make-A-Wish on Facebook or their website www.maine.wish.org.
