MILWAUKEE – (August 25, 2011) – When American Air Distributing, Inc., West Chester, Pa., added the Luxaire® brand of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment to its product offering last year, the company embarked on a new relationship that includes support for the Make-A-Wish Foundation®. Underscoring their commitment to the wish-granting organization, American Air recently presented a check in the amount of $7,760.49 to Dennis Heron, president and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Philadelphia and Susquehanna Valley.
Luxaire’s sponsorship of the Make-A-Wish Foundation began in 2001 and has resulted in donations totaling more than $2 million to one of the world’s leading children’s charities – enough to grant the wishes of more than 330 children with life-threatening medical conditions across the country.
“This program has so many good things associated with it, beginning with the opportunity to help make a child’s wish come true,” said Tom Frank, sales manager at American Air. “That’s the most important thing we do when we offer our support to the relationship that Luxaire has forged with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.”
But Frank also recognizes the benefits that the relationship offers Luxaire dealers and their customers. “Many products on the market offer the same or similar physical features, performance benefits and warranty information,” he explained. “But Luxaire provides its dealers with a true differentiator – something no one else offers – in the form of the Make-A-Wish® program. And customers appreciate that, knowing that the money they spend is doing more than benefiting the equipment manufacturer. At a time when the economy is forcing many homeowners to scale back their spending and their charitable contributions, this is even more important. With a Luxaire system, they know they are getting two important benefits that make them feel good about their purchase – quality equipment and the opportunity to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation.”
A charitable program on this scale is new to American Air and one on which the company is just beginning to focus its attention. “We knew that this first year with Johnson Controls and its Luxaire brand would be one of transition and require our full attention as we acquainted ourselves with the many features and benefits that the brand offers,” Frank noted. “Having done that, we’re now better positioned to concentrate on the Make-A-Wish program and think about ways to involve our dealers and their customers in fundraising activities and sponsorships that will increase the contributions we make in the future, with the goal to offer hope to children and their families in the communities where we do business.”
To learn more about Luxaire’s sponsorship of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit the Luxaire website at www.joinluxiare.com.
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.
Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in over 150 countries. Our 142,000 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. In 2011, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #1 company in its annual "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.
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:
Bob Frank (left), president of independent Luxaire® distributor American Air Distributing, Inc., and Gary Bower (right), American Air secretary/treasurer, presented a check totaling $7,760.49 to Dennis Heron, president and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Philadelphia and Susquehanna Valley.