With the help of employees and customers, Maine-based VIP Tire & Service will donate $55,658.12 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
VIP Tires & Service, a retail tire installation and professional automotive services provider, raised the funds during the company’s 10th annual Season of Wishes Campaign, which took place during the 2017 holiday season at its 56 stores across Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. VIP encouraged employees and customers to make contributions and then matched the funds collected.
During the holidays, VIP customers were asked to make a minimum $1 donation and, in turn, received a paper star with their name displayed in their VIP store. Together, VIP stores raised $27,829.06. Then, the company matched that amount to bring the total donation to $55,658.12.
The company said VIP stores in Maine raised the most ($20,252.80) followed by New Hampshire ($6,022.81) and Massachusetts stores ($1,553.45). The funds raised in each state benefit their local state Make-A-Wish chapters. In the last 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 Auburn, Maine headquarters earlier this month.
“We can all play a part, big and small, in helping kids with life-threatening illnesses get their wish,” Vickery said. “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. 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 hold.
“Helping grant wishes for these children is extremely meaningful because it brings joy and emotional support that anything is possible,” Quirk said. “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.”
