Photo: Tim Aylen
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PHOENIX -The Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational is bringing joy to numerous
seriously ill children whose wishes will be granted this year, thanks to
a $140,000 contribution to the Make-A-Wish
Foundation.
“We are honored to receive this generous donation from Michael, Kerzner
International and everyone involved with the Michael Jordan Celebrity
Invitational”
Jordan, the Foundation’s Chief Wish Ambassador, presented the donation
to Make-A-Wish® representatives Thursday at Kerzner
International’s Atlantis, Paradise Island resort in the Bahamas. The
Make-A-Wish Foundation, James R. Jordan Foundation and Butch Kerzner
Summit Foundation are the main beneficiaries of the ninth-annual charity
golf event, which will distribute more than $500,000 to selected
charities this year.
“We are honored to receive this generous donation from Michael, Kerzner
International and everyone involved with the Michael Jordan Celebrity
Invitational,” said David Williams, Make-A-Wish Foundation of America
president and chief executive officer. “Last year’s contribution from
this terrific event funded the wishes of nearly 30 children with
life-threatening medical conditions. They were able to enjoy
unforgettable moments and the hope, strength and joy that come with a
wish experience.”
One of the special guests at the presentation was wish kid Travis
Meserve, 18, of South Portland, Maine. Meserve, who is being treated for
a rare lung disease, also tossed out the ceremonial first pitch for the
Michael Jordan Celebrity Softball Challenge on Thursday.
SLIDE SHOW: Travis Meserve, 18, of South Portland, Maine. Meserve, who is being treated for a rare lung disease, tossed out the ceremonial first pitch for the Michael Jordan Celebrity Softball Challenge Photos: Tim Aylen
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“It gives me no greater pleasure than to see wish kids like Travis enjoy
their moment and forget about all of the hardships they are going
through because of their illnesses,” Jordan said. “It’s gratifying to be
able to help the Make-A-Wish Foundation grant even more children’s
wishes through our charitable commitment.”
Jordan himself has granted more than 180 wishes since 1988. As Chief
Wish Ambassador, he serves as lead figure for the Make-A-Wish
Foundation’s Wish Ambassador Council and as a national spokesman,
assisting the Foundation’s efforts to increase wish-granting outreach.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Wish Ambassador Council is composed of
people who are passionate about the Foundation’s work, including the
Make-A-Wish founders, celebrities and national sports figures such as
Jordan, former wish children, wish parents and Foundation supporters.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation has increased its number of wishes granted
each year since 1985, including 13,465 wishes in fiscal year 2009, the
most in its 29-year history.
Photo: Tim Aylen
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About the Make-A-Wish Foundation
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes
of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human
experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of
caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a
police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity
in the world, with 65 chapters
in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous
donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers,
the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has
granted more than 188,000 wishes in the United States since its
inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit wish.org
and discover how you can
share the power of a wish®.
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