PORTLAND, Maine – During this past holiday season, VIP Tires & Service successfully completed its sixth annual fundraising campaign for Make-A- Wish. This year’s campaign came with a special surprise – John Quirk, president and CEO, committed to match what was raised by the stores. Every VIP store participated in this seasonal program promoting donations to Make-A-Wish and, along with the match, VIP’s employees raised $22,604 through customer donations. 
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.”
Wishes range from trips to Walt Disney World to computer gaming systems, playhouses, dinosaur digs and more. Support for these wishes help Make-A-Wish fulfill their mission – to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
“The wish experience is not an isolated incident,” 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 Tires and Service has actively participated in car upgrades and shopping spree wishes.
“It gives us all at VIP great pride knowing that our fundraising efforts help children in need in our local communities throughout New England. For six years now VIP and Make-A-Wish have partnered to raise over $224,000, which goes exclusively to help children and families forget about their illness and have fun together as a united family. We look forward to next year’s campaign when VIP will continue supporting such a worthy cause,” said Quirk.
A few upcoming wishes include: Nathanael, 7, of Oxford County, who wishes to have an adaptive bike; Tess, 10, of Knox County, who wishes to have a service dog; and Matthew, 5, of Piscataquis, who wishes to go to Disney World.
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.
