More than 2,500 people, including 150 from the Johnson Controls-Luxaire team, participated in the 24th Annual Make-A-Wish Walk & Run for Wishes, which raised more than $210,000 for Make-A-Wish® Foundation® of Wisconsin.

MILWAUKEE — Johnson Controls teamed up with businesses in the Milwaukee area to help the 24th Annual Make-A-Wish Walk & Run for Wishes raise more than $210,000. Proceeds from the record-setting event will grant 40 wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.

 Held in Milwaukee’s Henry W. Maier Festival Park, the Walk & Run for Wishes included a 5K walk and run, 1-mile walk, wheelchair race, and short kid’s race. Johnson Controls and its Luxaire brand of heating and air conditioning equipment were co-presenting sponsors of the event, along with Badger Mutual Insurance Company.

According to Johnson Controls, the Johnson Controls-Luxaire team, which consisted of 150 participants, had a huge role in the event’s success, raising more than $20,000 — enough to grant three wishes.

“Johnson Controls-Luxaire was a wonderful addition as a co-presenting sponsor this year, and they certainly made a big difference,” said Forrest Doolen, PR manager for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin. “We surpassed our initial fundraising goal of $200,000, and had more than 2,500 people participate — a record for us.”

This year, Luxaire is celebrating “A Decade of Wishes Come True” with the foundation. Since 2001, Luxaire has sponsored the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and through its network of heating and air conditioning dealers and distributors, has donated more than $2 million, which is enough to grant nearly 300 wishes.

Milwaukee Stove & Furnace Supply Company, a Luxaire distributor in the Milwaukee area, has been an active Make-A-Wish participant, fulfilling the wishes of more than 10 local Wisconsin children and sponsoring events with the Milwaukee Brewers to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. According to Bill Geldon, Luxaire product manager at Milwaukee Stove, the company’s commitment to the Make-A-Wish program goes beyond the annual contribution that Luxaire makes to the wish-granting organization.

“Although the national campaign is great, and that’s where it all starts, I think the local connection Milwaukee Stove has established for our dealers is important,” said Geldon. “When we can grant a wish to a local child, it helps our dealers and their customers feel more like they’re actually making a difference. The message is suddenly much more powerful when they realize they are able to grant a wish and do something special for a child who lives in their community.”

Publication date: 12/26/2011