VIP hosts Make-A-Wish fundraiser
PRESQUE ISLE — VIP Tires & Service, of Lewiston, have announced that two of the firm’s Presque Isle managers will square off in a friendly but competitive challenge aimed at raising money for a great cause that will get one manager very wet. Starting now through June 6, General Manager Tony Boucher and Manager Eric Miranda will compete for the honor of “Getting Dunked.” The VIP “Give a Dunk!” fundraiser will raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Photo contributed by VIP
MAKE-A-WISH FUNDRAISER — VIP has set up two giving stations at the Aroostook Centre Mall: one at VIP’s new store location and a second inside the mall near customer service. Each location will feature life-sized stand-ups of VIP employees Tony Boucher, who serves as general manager, and Eric Miranda, the store manager, and individual collection tanks where customers and individuals can vote with their cash.
“Make-A-Wish brings joy to children and their families when it’s most needed,” said John Quirk, president and CEO of VIP. “We are honored to be a part of what they do and hope the community will get involved so we can all support a local child with a once-in-a-lifetime wish.”
Central to the effort is a competition between two of the company’s Presque Isle employees. VIP is asking the community to join the cause and to help decide who gets dunked. The company has set up two giving stations at the Aroostook Centre Mall: one at VIP’s new store location and a second inside the mall near customer service. Each location will feature life-sized stand-ups of VIP employees Boucher and Miranda and individual collection tanks where customers and individuals can vote with their cash. Whoever has the most donations at the end of the fundraiser will get dunked in the VIP dunk tank at the company’s Presque Isle store on June 6 at 1 p.m.
“Our new location has been open since February but we’ve been waiting for the weather to warm up to have our official grand opening and throw a celebration for the community,” said Boucher. “I’m hoping I’m the guy that ends up all wet on June 6.”
Funds raised from this event will help grant a once-in-a-lifetime wish for kids like Reed, 11, of Washburn, who has been waiting for his wish to be granted and who has been selected to throw out the pitch that puts the winner in the tank.
“This is a critical fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Maine. All money raised here stays here to help local kids like Reed,” said Sonya Purington, marketing director of Make-A-Wish Maine. Purington explains, “The need has never been greater, we’re seeing record referrals this year and currently have more than 90 kids awaiting their wish. Events like this are important in supporting our goal to help every eligible child in Maine.”
VIP Tires & Service has supported Make-A-Wish since 2008, through its holiday Season of Wishes Initiative. To date, VIP has raised more than $250,000 for Make-A-Wish, which grants wishes to children diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions all across the country. Each wish costs an average of $6,000 and the money is raised through fundraising efforts like the one undertaken by VIP. 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.
“We have made a long-term commitment to the community of Presque Isle — our company and employees are an integral part of it and we wanted to create an opportunity to share some fun together while also making a difference,” said Quirk.
