VIP Tires & Service Corp. raised $55,658.12 for Make-A-Wish during the company’s 10th annual Season of Wishes Campaign at its 56 stores in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. The donations surpassed last year’s total by more than $3,000.
VIP encourages employees and customers to make individual contributions and then matches the funds collected.
During the 2017 holiday season, 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, the 56 VIP stores raised $27,829.06 through the generosity of their customers and employees. 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 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 headquarters in Auburn, Maine.
“We can all play a part, big and small, in helping kids with life-threatening illnesses get their wish,” says Vickery. “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 it’s 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, tree house, or shopping spree.
“Helping grant wishes for these children is extremely meaningful because it brings joy and emotional support that anything is possible,” says 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.”
For more information about VIP Tires & Service, visit www.vipauto.com.
