For the fourth consecutive year, UAW-GM and GM teamed to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® by participating in USA WEEKEND magazine’s 16th annual Make A Difference Day, Oct. 28 – a national day of neighbors helping neighbors. GM dealers and plants across the country enrolled in the campaign, raising funds to grant 145 wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions through the Foundation’s 69 chapters.
This year, the UAW-GM and GM-supported Make-A-Wish^® initiative that started in 1999 will celebrate its 10,000th wish granting, thanks to dealer support of programs such as Make A Difference Day. But many GM dealers did far more than just write a check, they rolled up their sleeves and helped to make even more wishes come true.

In the Rochester-Buffalo, N.Y., areas, 22 GM dealers signed up and joined the fundraising efforts of GM’s Powertrain Engine Plant, UAW Local #774, in nearby Tonawanda, raising enough to grant eight wishes. The plant and the Buffalo Truck Center each raised enough to adopt one wish and – for the fourth year in a row – Randall Farnsworth Chevrolet-Cadillac-Pontiac-Buick-GMC in Canandaigua raised enough to once again adopt two wishes. Farnsworth also held a Halloween party attended by local Make-A-Wish children whose wishes they have funded over the years.

“Getting involved is the right thing to do,” said dealership owner Randy Farnsworth. “Making Smiles Standard Equipment has given our team a sense of pride and life-long joy in knowing we Make A Difference.”

In Jenkintown, Pa., Debbie and Scott Eckenhoff, owner of Eckenhoff Buick-Pontiac-GMC-Cadillac-HUMMER, not only signed up for this year’s campaign but personally campaigned to enlist other area dealers. They also hosted a Halloween-themed car wash fundraiser.

“My wife’s current battle with cancer has deeply affected our family,” Scott Eckenhoff said. “Make-A-Wish’s ability to impact lives is incredible. I am deeply touched and personally committed to being involved with the Foundation. Selling a car and making a customer happy is satisfying … but it doesn’t compare to the satisfaction of seeing the immense joy on a child’s face that is created by a wish.”

Thanks to 55 Wisconsin GM dealers who enrolled, 10 local children will have their wishes granted, including Bryce, 8, from Platteville, Wis. Bryce, who is autistic and has cystic fibrosis – as does his identical twin brother Austin – had his wish granted to be “Zookeeper for a Day” on Make A Difference Day at the San Antonio Zoo in Texas. Bryce assisted keepers in their daily tasks, getting an up-close view of the big cats, rhinos and other animals. Austin’s wish to go to the Walt Disney World Resort will be granted later this year.

“We’ve participated for years and plan to continue," said Les Mack, owner of Les Mack Chevrolet-Buick-Chrysler in Lancaster, Wis. "I would like to see other dealers join with UAW and GM to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation. When giving back to the community, we’ve always tried to support our youth and that’s why Make-A-Wish is appealing. These kids need a break and we’re happy to help make that happen.”

In Buellton, Calif., Rio Vista Chevrolet adopted the wish of Bryan, 15, who was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma. Bryan had been working to restore a 1971 Pontiac Ventura in time for his driver’s test. Thanks to the dealership, the job was completed at record speed and was presented to Bryan at a celebration at the dealership on Make A Difference Day.

“It was very gratifying to be a part of making Bryan’s wish come true,” said Mike Sell, dealership owner and a long-time supporter of the Foundation. “We want to make a difference for youth in our community. Any time we can help Make-A-Wish, we’re onboard!”

Jim Ellis Chevrolet, Atlanta, Ga., hosted a party for Atlantis, 4, who has leukemia and wished for a new computer. Since her favorite color is pink, dealership employees spray painted the computer which was presented to her at a party in the dealership showroom, which was (of course) decorated in pink! She was also presented with a battery-powered pink Barbie Corvette by employees.

“It was a company-wide effort.Everyone got involved,” said Mark Frost, general manager of the dealership. “We all have children ourselves and we were honored to contribute. We all have our own problems, but compared to these children, it humbles you and makes you grateful for what you have. The whole point is about making a child happy … at least for a day.”

In the Memphis area, “Your Mid-South GM Goodwrench Dealers,” an association of 17 dealerships in Tennessee and Mississippi, supported the campaign effort for the third year, hosting a week-long “Change for the Better” fundraiser. The effort will grant the wish of Daniel, 15, from Ashland, Miss., who has cerebral palsy. GM Goodwrench dealers, UAW and GM representatives invited Daniel to the NASCAR Samstown 250 Busch Race where, along with NASCAR Busch series driver Justin Labonte, they presented him with his wish to visit the Walt Disney World Resort.

“Many of us have been fortunate to attend several wish grantings, so we know this is something we need to do every year," said Earl Schafer, district parts manager, S.C. region. "The appreciation of the Make-A-Wish kids and families is very moving. The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a tremendous organization and has our ongoing support.”

Saturn of St. Paul in Minnesota hosted a day-long BBQ fundraiser. The dealership matched every dollar to help grant the wish of Blair, 16, from Minnetonka, who has acute myelogenous leukemia and wished to attend training camp for the Minnesota Twins next spring.

“Community involvement is important to us. Granting a wish was an amazing experience.You can’t possibly put a price on that feeling. We are on the Make-A-Wish team from now on,” said Brian Kopek, general sales manager of the dealership.

Bravo Chevrolet-Cadillac in Las Cruces, N.M., participated for their third year, holding a car and motorcycle show, raising enough to grant three wishes for local children, including Jenny, 5, of Alamogordo, N.M., who copes with cystic fibrosis and liver disease. Jenny, who wished to go on a Disney cruise and to swim with dolphins, was on hand for the festivities.

“It’s a really rewarding experience. The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a great charity and we enjoy supporting our local chapter and local kids,” said Jim Hilley, assistant marketing director for the dealership, who “flipped burgers” for the event.

Gilroy Pontiac-Buick-GMC in Gilroy, Calif., adopted the wish of local teen Spencer, 15, who lives with animmunodeficiency disorder. The dealership restored Spencer’s 2002 GMC Sierra pickup truck – championing the entire project, garnering vendor support, providing the labor and presenting it to him on Make A Difference Day.

Said service manager John Cavanaugh, “It was just great seeing Spencer’s face light up when he got behind the wheel. He was overjoyed and it was truly rewarding for us all.”