VIP Tires & Service Grants 16 Kids’ Wishes with $117k Make-a-Wish Foundation Donation

While the 2020 “giving season” has come to an end, the giving continues into 2021 at VIP Tires & Service. The full-service automotive repair, maintenance and tire shop today presented a $117,096.96 donation to Make-A-Wish®–its largest donation to the charitable organization since 2007. The funds were raised by the company’s 62 locations across New England during the annual holiday Season of Wishes Campaign, with stores in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Vermont participating in the effort. Since 2007, VIP has raised over $700,000 for Make-A-Wish.

The funds are raised annually with individual donations made by VIP employees and customers and then matched 100% by VIP’s Chairman, John Quirk. In 2020, the company’s 62 stores raised $58,548.48 and were matched by the company, bringing VIP’s total donation to $117,096.96. The 2020 donation was 21% higher than 2019, showing the company’s steadfast commitment to granting wishes for kids that deserve them more than ever. To ensure COVID-19 precautionary measures were taken, VIP presented the Make-A-Wish check on January 11th via Zoom.

“I don’t know one person that didn’t face some sort of challenge in 2020, but we know that some are struggling more than others. VIP wants to do everything we can to help alleviate some of these struggles and give joy as we head into a New Year,” said Tim Winkeler, President and CEO, VIP Tires & Service. “This donation–our largest donation to date– will help grant the wishes of numerous young children facing life-threatening medical conditions across New England. I’m continuously impressed by the generosity and care our employees and customers show during the Season of Wishes campaign that makes this donation possible. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”

Funds raised in each state benefit the local Make-A-Wish chapter:

Maine’s VIP stores raised $39,723.71 ($79,447.42 donation with matching)
New Hampshire’s VIP stores raised $15,674.27 ($31,348.54 donation with matching)
Massachusetts’ VIP stores raised $2,228.90 ($4,457.80 donation with matching)
Vermont’s VIP stores raised $921.60 ($1,843.20 donation with matching)
Make-A-Wish grants wishes to critically ill children all across the country. The average cash cost to grant a single wish in Maine is about $7,000, and the funds that support the wish-granting effort in each state are raised through campaigns like the one VIP Tires & Service holds each holiday season. Wishes range from trips to theme parks, meeting a favorite athlete or celebrity, attending a major sporting event or concert, receiving a computer, treehouse, or shopping spree.

“Despite the challenges 2020 has presented for many businesses, VIP continues to go above and beyond to make wishes for Make-A-Wish kids come true. This donation means the world,” said Kate Vickery, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish Maine. “My organization wants to extend a huge thank you to all VIP employees and customers for their continued commitment to supporting our mission. Throughout New England, the life-changing power of a wish will impact children and their families because of this generous donation. We look forward to sharing details about those wishes in the months to come.”