MILWAUKEE — The Luxaire brand of Johnson Controls and distributor partner Design Air rallied the communities of Wisconsin to help raise funds for children with critical illnesses during the Make-A-Wish Wisconsin Walk For Wishes event.

The state-wide fundraiser garnered record-breaking funds of $250,000 compared to previous Milwaukee Walk for Wishes events, which will grant 50 wishes to Wisconsin Make-A-Wish kids, despite being held virtually due to the coronavirus. Throughout the week-long event, participants were welcomed to walk or run within their local neighborhood and participate in an interactive virtual scavenger hunt to support the cause and for the chance to win prizes. In total, 750 people participated, including hundreds of wish family members.

“Supporting the communities where our employees and partners live through Make-A-Wish is an incredibly important commitment of Johnson Controls,” said Nina LoCicero, director of marketing and digital, Ducted Systems, Johnson Controls. “It’s particularly gratifying when we have the opportunity to join efforts with our valued distributor partners to benefit local Make-A-Wish chapters.”

As title sponsors, Johnson Controls and Luxaire helped grant wishes to Austyn, 16, who wished for an online shopping spree, and Remy, 4, who wished for a camper. Design Air helped grant wishes to Hannah, 17, who wished to go to Hawaii, and Evan, 10, who wished for a UTV. Evan’s wish was granted through Design Air’s statewide matching gift donation for all walk participants the week of the event.

“We are proud to partner with Luxaire and Johnson Controls in supporting our local chapter of Make-A-Wish,” said Mike Gallagher, president, Design Air. “It means the world to our team to have the opportunity to help fulfill the wishes of Make-A-Wish children.”

Luxaire has supported Make-A-Wish since 2001. To date, Luxaire and its partners, including Design Air, have donated a total of $4.6 million to the organization, granting children across the United States more than 500 wishes.

“Since 2001, the Luxaire brand of heating and air conditioning equipment has been a strong supporter of Make-A-Wish — so have hundreds of Luxaire distributors and dealers across the country,” said Patti Gorsky, president & CEO, Make-A-Wish Wisconsin. “Make-A-Wish Wisconsin is proud of our partnership with Luxaire, as we work together to grant wishes to children with critical illnesses.”

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