One of the highlights of the 2007 Luxaire/Make-A-Wish program year was when Andy Armstrong, director of marketing for Johnson Controls Unitary Products, raised $21,056 by participating in the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic Race. Here, Armstrong (left), presents a $21,056 check to Cherry Murray, director of special events for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oklahoma.

NORMAN, Okla. - Luxaire® Heating and Air Conditioning contributed $250,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America during the 2007 program year, bringing the company’s total contribution to the world’s largest wish-granting organization to more than $1.5 million.

Luxaire began its partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation in 2002. As a corporate sponsor, the brand donates a portion of every sale of a Luxaire product toward a minimum annual contribution of $250,000 to the foundation.

ABCO Refrigeration’s Long Island City and Staten Island, N.Y., locations, for example, received $28,000 during the program year, topping the Luxaire distributors who received the highest allocations. Other distributors who received more than $5,000 during the same period include: Solar Supply Inc., La., Miss., and Texas locations; Famous Distributors Inc., Northeast Ohio locations; Thomas Somerville Co., Washington, D.C., and Maryland locations; Burke Engineering, Los Angeles locations; Luce Schwab & Kase, Fairfield, N.J.; Milwaukee Stove and Supply, Madison and Milwaukee, Wis.; Shollmier Co. Inc., Little Rock, Ark.; and HVAC Distributors Inc., Mount Joy, Pa.

“We are grateful for the generous contribution Luxaire made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation again last year,” said Christina Baxter, senior manager, corporate alliances for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.

“Our partnership with Luxaire and the spirit of Luxaire distributors and dealers touch the lives of courageous children, their families, and the many people who help grant each child’s wish, bringing communities together in the process.”

The Luxaire network of distributors and dealers also works with Make-A-Wish chapters to organize a variety of fundraising activities. Using money raised by fundraising activities last year, Luxaire was able to sponsor a total of 12 wishes for children in local communities. Each of these wishes was accompanied by an event that incorporated the local chapter and distributor.

“The ability to directly impact the lives of children in the communities where we live and work is the real appeal of the Luxaire partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation,” said Jeff Hurt, Luxaire brand manager. “As we enter our seventh year of the partnership, enthusiasm for the program and pride in our relationship with the foundation continues to grow.”

For more information, visit www.luxairebelievesinme.com or www.wish.org.

Publication date:05/26/2008