MILWAUKEE – (Sept. 13, 2011) – Johnson Controls, the global leader in delivering solutions that increase energy efficiency in buildings, teamed up with businesses in the Milwaukee area to help the 24th Annual Make-A-Wish® Walk & Run for Wishes raise more than $210,000. Proceeds from the record-setting event will grant 40 wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.
Held Aug. 27 in Milwaukee’s Henry W. Maier Festival Park, the Walk & Run for Wishes included a 5K walk and run, one-mile walk, wheelchair race and short kid’s race. Johnson Controls and its Luxaire® brand of heating and air-conditioning equipment were co-presenting sponsors of the event, along with Badger Mutual Insurance Company.
The Johnson Controls-Luxaire team, which consisted of 150 participants, had a huge role in the event’s success, raising more than $20,000 – enough to grant three wishes. No other organization had more participants or raised as much money.
“I’m awestruck by what the Johnson Controls-Luxaire team did to support the Walk & Run for Wishes,” said Mary Mocarski, Luxaire brand manager. “It’s amazing what can happen when a large group commits to such a worthy cause.”
“Johnson Controls-Luxaire was a wonderful addition as a co-presenting sponsor this year, and they certainly made a big difference,” said Forrest Doolen, PR manager for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin. “We surpassed our initial fundraising goal of $200,000, and had more than 2,500 people participate -- a record for us.”
This year, Luxaire is celebrating “A Decade of Wishes Come True” with the foundation. Since 2001, Luxaire has sponsored the Make-A-Wish Foundation®, and through its network of heating and air-conditioning dealers and distributors, has donated more than $2 million, which is enough to grant nearly 300 wishes.
“When you purchase a Luxaire heating and air-conditioning system, you’re helping your family live more comfortably year-round,” Rod Rushing, vice president and general manager of unitary products at Johnson Controls, told the crowd at the Walk & Run for Wishes. “Just as importantly, you’re helping support one of the world’s leading children’s charities. Johnson Controls believes in giving back to the community, and we’re committed to doing business with a purpose and making a difference in the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions.”
Four wish kids helped lead this year’s Walk & Run for Wishes. They included 13-year-old Joe, who wished to visit LEGOLAND in California; 8-year-old Damita, who wished for a laptop computer; 13-year-old Elliot, who wished to have a bedroom makeover; and 3-year-old Elise, who wished to visit her favorite theme park.
Milwaukee Stove & Furnace Supply Company, a Luxaire distributor in the Milwaukee area, has been an active Make-A-Wish participant, fulfilling the wishes of more than 10 local Wisconsin children and sponsoring events with the Milwaukee Brewers to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. According to Bill Geldon, Luxaire product manager at Milwaukee Stove, the company’s commitment to the Make-A-Wish program goes beyond the annual contribution that Luxaire makes to the wish-granting organization.
“Although the national campaign is great, and that’s where it all starts, I think the local connection Milwaukee Stove has established for our dealers is important,” said Geldon. “When we can grant a wish to a local child, it helps our dealers and their customers feel more like they’re actually making a difference. The message is suddenly much more powerful when they realize they are able to grant a wish and do something special for a child who lives in their community.”
Mocarski agreed, adding, “Luxaire dealers and distributors are honored to participate in these very special activities that benefit local Make-A-Wish chapters and families in the communities where we live and work. Contributing to the success of this event helps strengthen the special bond that Luxaire and the Make-A-Wish Foundation share.”
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.
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 624 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®.
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.
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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 Captions:
Rod Rushing. jpg -- Rod Rushing, vice president and general manager of unitary products at Johnson Controls, addresses the crowd before the start of the Walk & Run for Wishes in Milwaukee on Aug. 27.
Trailer. jpg -- Event participants had an opportunity to tour the Luxaire trailer at the Walk & Run for Wishes. The trailer featured a broad range of Luxaire heating and air-conditioning equipment.
Group.jpg -- More than 2,500 people, including 150 from the Johnson Controls-Luxaire team, participated in the event, which raised more than $210,000 for Make-A-Wish® Foundation® of Wisconsin.