Help transform a child's life with Make-A-Wish this holiday season

TORONTO, Nov. 29, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As we come together at this time of year and celebrate with friends and family, Make-A-Wish^® asks Canadians to consider giving the gift of a wish to a child living with a critical illness in their communities.

"The holidays are a special time to embrace loved ones and help those in need," says Jennifer Klotz-Ritter, president & CEO, Make-A-Wish^® Canada. "Wishes are an integral part of a child's medical journey – they provide children with renewed energy and strength, bringing families closer together. When a wish is granted, a child replaces fear with confidence, sadness with joy and anxiety with hope. The experience positively impacts their life and will forever enrich yours."

From corporate promotions to community events, there are many ways to get involved and support wish-granting efforts.

National Corporate Promotions:

Party City^®
From Nov. 3, 2017 to Jan. 31, 2018, Party City will collect donations at all locations across Canada. The popular party supply and costume retailer has also produced a PSA to support its fundraising efforts that will rotate on radio stations nationwide during the campaign.

Natrel^®
Make-A-Wish is proud to be the charity of choice for Natrel's Taste the Joy of Giving campaign. From Dec. 4, 2017 to Jan. 1, 2018, Natrel will donate 50 cents, up to a maximum of $50,000, each time its official holiday post is shared on Facebook. Natrel will also help elevate awareness with co-branded milk cartons and in-store shelf signage, reaching more than four million Canadian homes this holiday season.

Bowring
A portion of proceeds from each purchase of a Wish Angel ornament will benefit Make-A-Wish.

Bloomex

1. Bloomex Canada will donate $5 from the sale of each "I Care" Teddy Bear to Make-A-Wish (promotion available all year).
2. Customers may enter promo code MAW15 at checkout and 15 per cent of the entire purchase price on any order will be donated to Make-A-Wish (promotion available all year).
3. For the month of December only, 15 per cent of the purchase price from each Make-A-Wish - inspired basket will be donated to Make-A-Wish.  

Things Remembered
A holiday line of Make-A-Wish collectibles is released each fall with $2 from the sale of each ornament and $5 from each snow globe benefiting the organization. Things Remembered also participates in employee giving and collects donations year-round with a minimum guarantee of $150,000 across the United States and Canada.

Click here for a complete list of national promotions benefiting Make-A-Wish Canada.

Regional Events & Initiatives:

Ugly Sweater Dash
Port Moody, British Columbia - A five-kilometre ugly sweater fun run will take place on Dec. 2. Suitable for the entire family with lots of goodies in store for participants.  

Calendar of Wishes 
Edmonton, Alberta - On Dec. 1, Abbey Glen Park will transform into a whimsical Winter Wish Square with a larger-than-life calendar featuring 24 days of wish stories revealed throughout the month.  

Season of Wishes Calendar
London, Ontario - From Dec. 1 to 22, Make-A-Wish and sponsors will meet in Covent Garden Market at Noon to open a calendar door to reveal a recent wish.

Stu Jeffries $1,000 Make-A-Wish^® Minute
Toronto - Weekday mornings from Dec. 4 to 22, boom 97.3 listeners who make a donation of $25 or more to Make-A-Wish will be entered for a chance to play this trivia contest live on air and the opportunity to win up to $1,000! boom 97.3 will match money raised during this campaign.

The Wish Express
Halifax - This inaugural event, presented by the Griffith Family Foundation, will take place on Dec. 5 at the VIA Rail station in Halifax from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The event features a VIA Rail train ride though the city, treats, music, activities and more.

Holiday Stars for Wishes
Ottawa - Visitors to St. Laurent Shopping Centre are invited to take a star from the special tree on display, in exchange for a donation to Make-A-Wish. Donations from coat check will also benefit wish granting.

Gift Wrapping
Montréal - From Dec. 1 to 24, volunteers at five shopping centres will offer gift wrapping to those who make a donation. Participating malls include: Alexis Nihon, Carrefour Industrielle Alliance, Montreal Eaton Centre, Place Longueuil and Place Montréal Trust.

Make-A-Wish greeting cards featuring Canadian artists and made from 100 per cent recycled paper are also available for purchase online.

For more information about Make-A-Wish and to donate, click here.

About Make-A-Wish^® Canada
Make-A-Wish Canada is a dynamic wish-granting organization that brings hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Along with the national office, eight (8) regional chapters grant magical wishes to children in need from coast to coast. Make-A-Wish Canada is an affiliate of Make-A-Wish^® International. Make-A-Wish^® is the largest wish-granting organization in the world, making dreams and wishes come true for more than 415,000 children since 1980. For more information, please visit makeawish.ca.

For more information, please contact:
Deborah Waines-Bauer
Associate Manager, Marketing & Communications
Make-A-Wish^® Canada
Tel: 416.224.9474 ext. 6111
Toll Free: 1.888.822.9474
deborah.wainesbauer@makeawish.ca