LEWISTON, MAINE — February 12, 2015 — VIP Tires & Service, based in Lewiston, Maine, announced today it raised $24,700 for Make-A-Wish® during its seventh annual Season of Wishes Initiative. Every Maine VIP store participated in the effort, which encourages customer donations during the months of November and December and helps raise awareness for the Make-A-Wish mission to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

VIP Tires & Service
VIP Tires & Service
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For the second year in a row, John Quirk, VIP President and CEO, matched the total raised by the company’s stores. To date, VIP has raised a total of nearly $250,000 for Make-A-Wish. VIP recently presented a check for $24,700 to Make-A-Wish at the company’s Lewiston headquarters, which represented $12,350 raised by VIP customers and employees and a $12,350 match from Quirk.

“We continue to be honored to partner with VIP Tires & Service,” said Executive Director Tom Peaco. “The long-term passion of their customers, staff, and leadership for our cause is outstanding. We are so grateful to everyone who contributed to this annual campaign that makes such a big difference in the lives of local wish kids.”

Make-A-Wish grants wishes to children diagnosed with life threatening medical conditions all across the country. In Maine, Make-A-Wish fulfills an average of one gift to a seriously ill Maine child every five days. Each wish costs an average of just over $6,000 and this money is raised through fundraising efforts, such as the one undertaken by VIP.

Since its founding in 1992, the Maine Make-A-Wish chapter has granted once-in-a-lifetime wishes of more than 1200 Maine children. Make-A-Wish anticipates it will grant more than 75 wishes in 2015. 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.

“Every year we look forward to raising funds for Make-A-Wish and seeing the impact it has on children and their families who benefit from this program,” said VIP President and CEO John Quirk. “I am deeply appreciative of and humbled by our customers and staff members who make this campaign a priority and see the value of bringing joy to these children and their families.”

In a letter to staff, VIP Chief Operating Officer Tim Winkeler congratulated all of the stores, particularly the Presque Isle and Windham locations, which raised over $1,000 each. The top three store teams were: Presque Isle ($1,030); Windham ($1,013); Brunswick ($841).

“Thanks again for all your hard work,” said Winkeler. “The amount we raised will fully fund wishes for at least four Wish Kids.”

About VIP Tires & Service

VIP Tires & Service, based in Lewiston, Maine, operates 56 locations throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts providing retail and wholesale tire installation and professional automotive service. VIP is the place where New Englanders turn for everything they need to keep their vehicles running at peak performance. For more information, visit: www.vipauto.com.

About MAKE-A-WISH®

Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. The Maine Chapter of Make-A-Wish opened in 1992. As of January 2015, we have granted over 1200 wishes. This coming year, the organization expects to grant the greatest wish of over 75 seriously ill Maine children, which is an average of one wish every five days. The average cost of a wish is $6,000. All money raised in Maine stays in Maine. Of the money donated, 77% goes towards program expenses (granting wishes), which is 12% more than the minimum required of non-profits by the Better Business Bureau. All wish expenses are fully covered by Make-A-Wish. Make-A-Wish Maine is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, and all contributions are tax deductible. The Maine chapter has over 200 volunteers statewide, and a staff of six. Our office is located at 477 Congress Street, Suite M1, in Portland. For more information about Make-A-Wish Maine, visit www.maine.wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.

 

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