NORMAN, OKLA. – (June 23, 2010) – A wish will come true for another Oklahoma child, thanks to the generosity of employees at the Johnson Controls’ Unitary Products manufacturing facility in Norman, Okla. Employees at the plant recently donated $7,190 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oklahoma – money that was raised during a silent auction of York®, Coleman® and Luxaire® air-conditioning equipment.
According to Brenda Keith, marketing program manager, Johnson Controls’ Unitary Products, the auction featured display equipment that is no longer part of the current product offering. “We’ve changed the appearance of several of our units,” she explained. “So rather than scrap perfectly good equipment, we’re able to auction it off to our employees and put the proceeds to a good cause.”
This marks the second year that the Norman facility has hosted the silent auction, which encourages employees to submit bids for equipment over a period of five days. Bids were updated daily, giving employees on every shift the opportunity to see the current high bid.
“We were very pleased with the employee turnout this year and were thrilled to see the entire facility engaged in the auction,” noted Keith. “In fact, we raised nearly $2,000 more than we did last year and couldn’t be more pleased with or proud of the generosity of our employees.”
According to Keith, employee participation is fueled by the cause. “Everyone appreciates the fact that the money they donate through the auction eventually helps to fund a wish for a child here in Oklahoma. And this year, I learned that one of our employees is the father of a wish child who enjoyed a trip to Disney World. As you can imagine, he was especially excited to see our involvement with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.”
The alliance between Luxaire and the Make-A-Wish Foundation began in 2001 and has resulted in donations exceeding $1.95 million. The most recent agreement between the two organizations extends the relationship into 2011 and commits $675,000 in Luxaire contributions over three years to the national program.
The Luxaire network of distributors and dealers also works with Make-A-Wish chapters to organize a variety of fundraising activities, including raffles, golf outings and activities associated with local sporting events, both amateur and professional. Using money raised by these and other fundraising activities, Luxaire has helped grant the wishes of more than 80 children in dealer markets.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 65 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 188,000 wishes in the United Sates since its inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.
Luxaire® products from Johnson Controls include high-performance residential central air-conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces and accessories and light-commercial, packaged heating and cooling systems marketed through a network of distributors and delivered to home- and building-owners through independent Luxaire heating and air conditioning dealers. For more information about Luxaire, visit www.joinluxaire.com or call 877-958-9247.
About Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in over 150 countries. Our 130,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful.
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Please Direct Reader Inquiries to:
Mary Mocarski
Luxaire Brand Manager
Johnson Controls Inc.
507 E. Michigan
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Photo Caption:
Tina Hogan (left), a Johnson Controls employee, and Brenda Keith, marketing program manager for the company’s Unitary Products division, pose with two Luxaire furnaces at the plant in Norman, Okla. Plant employees recently raised $7,190 to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oklahoma.