Wichita, Kan. – (March 9, 2011) – The Luxaire® brand of residential and light-commercial heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment recently sponsored the Fourth Annual Runway Wishes Fashion Show. The event raised more than $6,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Kansas, including a $2,000 donation from Luxaire Heating & Air Conditioning.
More than 80 guests enjoyed the show, which highlighted new trends from the finest boutiques and fashion outlets in Wichita for the fall and holiday seasons. Also, guests participated in a silent auction of jewelry, beauty items and spa packages.
“The event was fun, informative and made me want to give more,” said Krista Gard. The Make-A-Wish Foundation granted her daughter Ayla’s wish to visit Walt Disney World® Resort. During the event’s intermission, Gard spoke about the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s impact on her family and expressed thanks for such a beneficial event.
Several wish kids and their family members were fashion models for the event, along with Miss Kansas 2010 Lauren Werhan and Make-A-Wish Foundation of Kansas board members and volunteers. Television personality Sierra Scott was the show’s emcee.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Kansas serves 99 of 105 counties in Kansas and grants about 65 wishes a year. “Having Luxaire as a sponsor of the Runway Wishes Fashion Show enables us to grant more wishes in our territory,” said Ashley Scheideman, interim executive director and director of program services.
Luxaire’s sponsorship of the Make-A-Wish Foundation began in 2001 and has resulted in donations totaling more than $2 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.
“Events like the Runway Wishes Fashion Show make a huge difference in the lives of children and their families,” said Mary Mocarski, Luxaire brand manager. “Luxaire dealers and distributors are proud to join Make-A-Wish® chapters in these types of fundraising activities.”
Luxaire® products from Johnson Controls, Inc. 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.
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.
About the Make-A-Wish Foundation
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 one of the world’s leading children’s charities, with 64 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 200,000 wishes in the United States 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®.
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Please Direct Reader Inquiries to:
Mary Mocarski
Luxaire Brand Manager
Johnson Controls’ Unitary Products
507 E. Michigan
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Photo Caption
Gail Altendorfer (center), a wish mom and member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Kansas board of directors, poses with her son, Mitch, a model and wish child, and his sister, Katie. Mitch wished to attend the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl in Hawaii.