Orange County, Calif. (August 1, 2019) – Today, Make-A-Wish®, Orange County and the Inland Empire and John Wayne Airport kick off Trips That Transform, a monthlong celebration of the travel wishes granted each year to children battling critical illnesses and the donors that make them possible.
Orange County, Calif. (August 1, 2019) – Today, Make-A-Wish®, Orange County and the Inland Empire and John Wayne Airport kick off Trips That Transform, a monthlong celebration of the travel wishes granted each year to children battling critical illnesses and the donors that make them possible.
With 75 percent of wishes requiring air travel, Make-A-Wish needs more than 40 million airline miles annually to fulfill travel wishes for children and their families living in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
"Right now, we are able to grant wishes for one out of every two eligible children,” said Stephanie McCormick, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire. “Travel wishes are waiting – and their fulfillment is dependent on the ongoing generosity of individual and corporate donors who contribute their unused airline miles, expiring travel points and dollars."
To support granting more wishes in the local community, John Wayne Airport will promote the Trips That Transform campaign to its guests throughout the month of August with visual displays throughout the Terminal encouraging travelers to donate airline miles.
"We are thrilled to partner with Make-A-Wish to help grant more travel wishes this summer,” said Barry Rondinella, Airport Director. “We encourage all who travel through John Wayne Airport to join us by donating their unused, low-balance or soon-to-expire miles to help wish kids take flight.”
Once donated to Make-A-Wish, airline miles and points never expire, and each goes on to help wish kids and their families take flight to destinations around the world. Travelers can donate airline miles and points at www.ocie.wish.org
“Travel wishes are more than a trip; they are often an essential component of a wish kid’s treatment plan,” said McCormick. “We are extremely grateful for John Wayne Airport and all of our national travel partners, which each play a vital role in giving children a world of hope when they need it most through life-changing wish trips."
To learn more about how a wish come true can transform the lives of everyone involved, follow Make-A-Wish and John Wayne Airport and #JWAWishes on social media.
About Make-A-Wish® Orange County and the Inland Empire
Make-A-Wish® creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, Make-A-Wish is one of the world’s leading children’s charities, with 60 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 40,000 volunteers, Make-A-Wish grants a wish every 34 minutes and has granted more than 315,000 wishes in the United States and its territories since its inception. For more information about Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire, visit www.ocie.wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.
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Make-A-Wish Media Contact:
Kara Bautch
Kbautch@ocie.wish.org
714.573.9474 x231
John Wayne Airport Media Contact:
Deanne Thompson
Dthompson@ocair.com
949.252.5182