VIP donates $24,700 to Make-A-Wish Maine
Presque Isle branch among top store fundraisers
LEWISTON — VIP Tires & Service, based in Lewiston, 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.
Photo courtesy of VIP
VIP MAKES DONATION — VIP Tires & Service recently presented a check to Make-A-Wish Maine for $24,700 with its Presque Isle, Windham and Brunswick stores representing the top three fund-raising teams. The Maine stores — with the help of customers and employees — raised $12,350 and the company’s President and CEO John Quirk matched that amount, bringing the total donation to $24,700. Pictured from left are: Gary MacCausland, VIP Tires & Service vice president of operations; Tim Winkeler, VIP Tires & Service COO; John Quirk, president and CEO; Mary Daigle, office manager; and Tom Peaco, executive director of Make-A-Wish Maine.
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, 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. Money is raised through fund-raising 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 1,200 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 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); and 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.”
For more information on VIP, visit: www.vipauto.com.
For information on Make-A-Wish Maine, visit www.maine.wish.org.
