NORMAN, Okla. — Distributors of Luxaire® Heating and Air Conditioning products will sponsor events benefiting their local Make-A-Wish Foundation® chapters during Minor League Baseball games this summer, as part of Luxiare’s 2003 co-marketing program. Approximately 100 Luxaire dealers also have dedicated their time to participate in these sponsorships.

On June 12, the Bowie Baysox, the A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, Bowie, Md., held a game sponsored by Thos. Somerville Co. to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic.

Other games scheduled include:

  • Trenton Thunder, the AA affiliate of the New York Yankees, Trenton, N.J., June 24; sponsored by ABCO Refrigeration Supply Corp. of Long Island City, N.Y., to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey.

  • Harrisburg Senators, the AA affiliate of the Montreal Expos, Harrisburg, Pa., June 29; sponsored by HVAC Distributors Inc. of Mt. Joy, Pa., to benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Susquehanna Valley.

  • New Orleans Zephyrs, the AAA affiliate of the Houston Astros, Metairie, La., June 29; sponsored by Solar Supply of Lake Charles, La. to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Louisiana.

  • Harrisburg Senators, the AA affiliate of the Montreal Expos, Aug. 12; sponsored by Thos. Somerville Co. of Upper Marlboro, Md., to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Susquehanna Valley.

  • Brooklyn Cyclones, the A affiliate of the New York Mets, Brooklyn, N.Y., Aug. 27; sponsored by ABCO Refrigeration to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York.

    In addition, Luxaire joined forces directly with distributor Air Products Supply to undertake sponsorship packages on May 31 and will do so again on July 26 with the Oklahoma RedHawks, a AAA affiliate of the Texas Rangers based in Oklahoma City. The two groups are hoping to exceed last year’s fundraising effort, which brought in $5,191.

    “This partnership with Minor League Baseball provides an easy way for dealers to get involved with promotional programs that tie into successful national advertising and marketing efforts, all the while supporting their local Make-A-Wish chapters and setting the performance standard in their communities,” said Mark Ritz, Luxaire marketing manager.

    As a corporate sponsor, Luxaire donates a portion of every sale of a Luxaire product toward the company’s minimum annual contribution of $250,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

    In addition, dollars raised by distributors and dealers will support local Make-A-Wish chapters located in dealer markets. Last year the Luxaire dealer network raised $22,000, which increased Luxaire’s annual Make-A-Wish donation to $272,000.

    Publication date: 06/16/2003