Luxaire Distributor Honored by Make-a-Wish Foundation

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York recently honored Michael Senter, the chief executive officer of ABCO Refrigeration Supply Corporation, a Luxaire heating, ventilating and air conditioning distributor, at its annual “When You Wish Upon A Star” Gala at The Pierre in New York City.
More than $1.5 million dollars was raised at the event, setting a new event fundraising record for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York.
Senter was honored for extraordinary service and fundraising during his past four years as a member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York’s Board of Directors. For the 2006 Gala alone, he spearheaded ABCO’s HVAC industry initiative to raise more than $450,000 and, thereby, granting up to 65 wishes for children, served by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York. ABCO surpassed the initial goal of granting at least 57 wishes, which represents the 57 years that ABCO Refrigeration Supply Corporation has been in business. He is also responsible for originating and helping to develop a national partnership between Luxaire Heating Air Conditioning and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.
“It is an honor to be recognized by the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York,” says Senter. “But, it’s even more of an honor to be helping so many children through our partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Luxaire. We are hopeful that other companies will see the value in what we are doing and be inspired to contribute to this great cause in meaningful ways within their own communities.”
Over the past four years, ABCO has raised more than $160,000 by hosting around 20 events to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, including Minor League Baseball games, golf outings and an annual ABCO Expo. ABCO also donates additional funds to the Make-A-Wish Foundation through its longstanding relationship with Luxaire.
“Luxaire dealers and distributors throughout the country have generated more than one million dollars since 2001,” says David Williams, president and CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. “Thanks to their support, approximately 200 courageous children being treated for life-threatening medical conditions have had their wishes granted. Our partnership with Luxaire makes us better able to fulfill our mission of delighting and inspiring Wish Kids and their families.”
Luxaire has a network of more than 35 distributors and hundreds of dealers nationwide that are committed to the partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation that has been going strong since the fall of 2001. Luxaire dealers and distributors around the country work with their local Make-A-Wish Foundation chapters to organize their own fundraising activities, such as the Make-A-Wish Foundation nights at minor league ballparks.
“At Luxaire, our partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation is in its fifth year and it has been a great success among dealers and distributors on both a national and local level,” says Tim Lashar, Luxaire brand manager. “It makes them feel good about the work they are doing, especially when they know they are helping children in their own communities.”
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. It is the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 71 chapters in the United States and its territories and 27 international affiliates on five continents. With the help of generous donors and more than 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted wishes to children around the world since 1980.
Luxaire is a brand of York, a Johnson Controls Company. For more information about the Luxaire partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit: www.luxaire.com or www.wish.org.