VIP Tires & Service, a provider of retail tire installation and professional automotive services, announced it is donating $55,658.12 to Make-A-Wish. The funds were raised during the company’s 10th annual Season of Wishes Campaign, which took place during the 2017 holiday season at its 56 stores located in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. VIP encouraged employees and customers to make individual contributions and then matched the funds collected.
With a minimum of a $1 donation, customers received a paper star with their name displayed in their VIP store. Together, the 56 VIP stores raised $27,829.06 through the generosity of their customers and employees, and then VIP Tires & Service matched that amount to bring the total donation to $55,658.12. Maine VIP stores raised the most ($20,252.80) followed by New Hampshire stores ($6,022.81) and then Massachusetts stores ($1,553.45). The funds raised in each state benefit their local state Make-A-Wish chapters. In the past 10 years, VIP has raised more than $405,000 for Make-A-Wish through its annual program.
Kate Vickery, executive director of Make-A-Wish Maine, accepted the donation from John Quirk, chairman and CEO of VIP Tires & Service, at the company’s headquarters earlier this month.
“We can all play a part, big and small, in helping kids with life-threatening illnesses get their wish,” said Kate Vickery, executive director of Make-A-Wish Maine. “The team at VIP works tirelessly to talk with their customers about Make-A-Wish and gives them the opportunity to support the organization by buying a paper star. Each year their donation grows and more kids get wishes. We’re endlessly appreciative and thankful for the VIP team.”
Make-A-Wish creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses all across the country. On average, Make-A-Wish in Maine fulfills one gift to a seriously ill child every five days; in New Hampshire its every four days and in Massachusetts Make-A-Wish grants a wish each and every day. Wishes typically cost about $7,000, and the funds that support the wish granting effort in each state are raised through campaigns like the one VIP Tires & Service holds each holiday season. Wishes range from trips to theme parks, meeting a favorite athlete or celebrity, attending a major sporting event or concert, receiving a computer, treehouse or shopping spree.
“Helping grant wishes for these children is extremely meaningful because it brings joy and emotional support that anything is possible,” said Quirk. “I want to thank our incredible employees and our loyal customers for their generosity. Together, we can play a role in granting multiple wishes that will create cherished moments for New England families.”
