LISLE, Ill. — A wish came true for Grant, a four-year-old from Gretna, Neb., with Microcephaly. Kretschmar® Premium Deli Meats and Cheeses teamed with B&R Stores, Inc., and Make-A-Wish® Nebraska to give Grant a new playhouse for his backyard. The project was done in conjunction with an association between Kretschmar and Make-A-Wish® in which Kretschmar is funding three wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses in a campaign known as "Legendary Wishes."
Grant is a rambunctious and adventurous boy. He loves going to school, but mostly because of the playground there. He would spend all day on the slides, swings, and sandbox if possible. His playful spirit doesn't stop when he goes home, either. His mom often finds him climbing on the stairway railing, so it's no surprise that Grant asked for a play structure that he can jump and climb on. His "wish" will include a 12-foot super slide, gang plank ramp, redwood playhouse, rock wall, swings, trapeze bar, glider, bell, spotlight, and most importantly a sandbox. Not only does Grant love to play in the sand for hours, but his caretakers actually use texture therapy to help him continue developing, so it has a dual purpose.
"Our partnership with Make-A-Wish is extremely gratifying," said Chuck Gitkin, VP, Marketing, Innovation and R&D, John Morrell Food Group. "To aid in granting wishes for some very special children is a rewarding experience and we're privileged to be a part of the process. The support from B&R Stores and the local community has been tremendous, and we're very appreciative of everyone's hard work and dedication throughout. I hope that the children enjoy their wishes as much as we enjoyed fulfilling them."
As part of its donation to Make-A-Wish of more than $100,000 to assist with year-round support announced last summer, Kretschmar is helping grant three specific wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions this year.
B&R Stores helped raise further support for Make-A-Wish through sales of Make-A-Wish's paper stars, which were sold at its stores' registers for $1 donations. Proceeds from the sales were given locally to Make-A-Wish Nebraska, which used the funds to enhance Grant's wish with a bubble machine, a trampoline, pool and basketball goal. Each store also collected well-wishes and notes from the community and delivered them to Grant at his play structure unveiling, where they provided sandwiches and refreshments for his friends and family.
"We are so grateful to have sponsors like Kretschmar Deli who make wishes come true," said Kiley Thiele, Vice President of Development & Marketing, Make-A-Wish® Nebraska. "Thanks to everyone's hard work, Grant's wish for a new play structure came true."
Kretschmar is a part of the John Morrell Food Group, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, Inc. (NYSE: SFD). For more information about Kretschmar Deli please visit www.kretschmardeli.com.
About Kretschmar
Kretschmar Premium Deli Meats & Cheeses has meant quality since 1883. Our hams are made with a unique hardwood smoking process. Kretschmar poultry and beef are hand-trimmed using the finest cuts. Our full line of Off-The-Bone deli meats are delicately sliced from the leanest, most tender cuts. And our premium Wisconsin cheeses repeatedly win in competitions world-wide. Try the Legendary Taste of Kretschmar today.
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About John Morrell Food Group
With over a century and a half of experience, John Morrell Food Group brands have become respected and well known for providing premium-quality meat products to families across the United States. With products ranging from lunchmeat and franks to smoked sausage, bacon and pepperoni, the John Morrell Food Group is an important part of consumers' mealtimes. The John Morrell Food Group offers several national and regional brands including Armour®, Eckrich®, John Morrell®, Curly's®, Patrick Cudahy®, Carando®, Healthy Ones®, Margherita®, Kretschmar® and LunchMakers®.
About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $13 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, Gwaltney®, John Morrell®, Kretschmar®, Curly's®, Carando®, Margherita®, and Healthy Ones®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental, and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and www.smithfieldcommitments.com.
About B&R Foods, Inc.
Founded in 1964 by Russ Raybould and Clayton Burnett, B&R Stores, Inc., is today an employee-owned corporation headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. The company currently owns 17 stores located in seven cities across Nebraska and Iowa and employs more than 2,000 people, nearly 1,000 of which are employee owners. B&R Stores, Inc., is committed to being an active partner with each of the communities it serves in an effort to enhance the lives of both its customers and employees.
B&R Stores, Inc. offers four different store concepts. Each is designed to give customers the type of shopping experience they value most while offering the high-quality products and friendly atmosphere the company is known for.
About Make-A-Wish
Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. According to a 2011 U.S. study of wish impact, most health professionals surveyed believe a wish-come-true has positive impacts on the health of children. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illness, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family. Based in Phoenix, Make-A-Wish is one of the world's leading children's charities, serving children in every community in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and more than 25,000 volunteers, Make-A-Wish grants a wish somewhere in the country every 38 minutes. It has granted more than 225,000 wishes since its inception in 1980; nearly 14,000 in 2011 alone. Visit Make-A-Wish at www.wish.org to learn more.
Souerce: Kretschmar
