LISLE, III. – Kretschmar® Premium Deli Meats & Cheeses has partnered with Coborn's Inc. supermarkets and Make-A-Wish® Minnesota to help grant a young Sartell, Minn. boy's most heartfelt wish. Jackson, a seven-year-old fighting Duchenne muscular dystrophy, loves to explore his hometown and the great outdoors. It came as no surprise when Jackson told Make-A-Wish Minnesota that his dream was to experience backyard and trail adventures on a golf cart with his family.
Kretschmar, Coborn's, and Make-A-Wish Minnesota partnered to grant Jackson's wish, and revealed the special surprise during a special pep rally on Friday at Oak Ridge Elementary, where Jackson attends school. Hosted by Sartell High School's Student Council members, the pep rally included a special video for Jackson and a lunch reception.
"Kretschmar is committed to supporting the important efforts of Make-A-Wish, and helping to make wishes come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions, like Jackson," said Michael Baughman, Smithfield Foods director of marketing. "We are privileged to have the opportunity to make this unforgettable experience possible in partnership with Coborn's and Make-A-Wish Minnesota."
Living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy is an ongoing challenge, but Jackson continues to courageously push forward. When he is not planning his next big golf cart adventure, he enjoys playing with his kittens, watching Jurassic World, and reading nonfiction books.
"Make-A-Wish Minnesota relies on the help of supporters such as Kretschmar, Coborn's, and their customers to grant wishes for Minnesota children with life-threatening medical conditions," said Mia Broos Hoagberg, Make-A-Wish Minnesota president and CEO. "Wishes like Jackson's lift kids and their families up at a time when they need it most, and help them forge ahead with hope, strength, and joy."
Since 2012, Kretschmar has contributed more than $600,000 to Make-A-Wish nationally and sponsored more than 12 wishes with local chapters through the brand's Legendary Wishes campaign.
Through partnerships with retailers like Coborn's, Kretschmar has raised more than $85,000 through sales of Make-A-Wish paper stars sold at stores' registers for $1 donations, employee donations, and sandwich fundraisers. The brand gives these funds to local Make-A-Wish chapters to grant more wishes. Coborn's has raised $10,000 since April 16 to support local wishes, and will continue fundraising through May 14.
For more information about Kretschmar Deli and the brand's involvement with Make-A-Wish visit www.KretschmarDeli.com or www.Facebook.com/KretschmarDeli.
Kretschmar is a brand of Smithfield Foods.
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. For great recipes and more, like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/kretschmardeli or visit our website at www.kretschmardeli.com.
About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $14 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®, Nathan's Famous®, Farmland®, Armour®, John Morrell®, Cook's®, Kretschmar®, Gwaltney®, Curly's®, Margherita®, Carando®, Healthy Ones®, Krakus®, Morliny®, and Berlinki®. 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.
About Coborn's
St. Cloud, Minn.-based Coborn's Inc. is an employee-owned grocery retailer with 8,000 employees and 54 stores across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin under the Coborn's, Cash Wise Foods, Marketplace Foods and Save-A-Lot banners. Coborn's, Inc. also owns CobornsDelivers, an online grocery ordering and home delivery service; and stand-alone convenience, liquor, video and pharmacy locations. To support its 120 retail locations, Coborn's, Inc. operates its own central bakery, dry cleaning facility and grocery distribution center. In 2010, Coborn's, Inc. was recognized as 'Family Business of the Year for Community Service and Philanthropy' by Minnesota Business magazine. In 2011, Coborn's, Inc. was recognized as 'Independent Retailer of the Year' by Grocery Headquarters magazine. In 2014, the company's president and CEO, Chris Coborn, was named the Grocer of the Year by the N.D. Grocers Association. In 2016, Coborn's was named one of the Top 150 Workplaces in Minnesota by the Star Tribune.
About Make-A-Wish Minnesota
Thirty-five years and 5,000 wishes later, Make-A-Wish Minnesota is local and we are here to stay with your support! From granting four wishes in our first year, to granting more than 250 last year, we have come a long way, but our work is not over yet. We're lighting a spark within our organization and our community to grant a wish for every eligible child because we know wishes matter. According to a 2011 U.S. study of wish impact, most health professionals surveyed believe a wish-come-true can influence the health of children. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illnesses, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family. For more information about Make-A-Minnesota and how you can share the power of a wish®, please call 612-767-9474 (WISH), visit mn.wish.org or connect with us atfacebook.com/makeawishmn or on Twitter @MakeAWishMN.
Source: Smithfield Foods
