IKEA Canada Customers Help Enrich the Lives of Children with Life-Threatening Medical Conditions

Annual Make-A-Wish^® Canada fundraising campaign at IKEA stores gets underway

BURLINGTON, ON, July 3, 2012 /CNW/ - For the third consecutive year, IKEA Canada will offer its customers the opportunity to enrich the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions by making a donation to Make-A-Wish^® Canada. From now until September 30^th, 2012, customers will have the opportunity to donate $1 to Make-A-Wish^® at self-serve check outs at IKEA stores across Canada.

"Both IKEA and Make-A-Wish believe children are the most important people in the world, and we continue to welcome the opportunity to raise funds to better the lives of children living with life-threatening medical conditions," says Kerri Molinaro, President of IKEA Canada.

Since the launch of this campaign in the summer of 2010, IKEA customers and co-workers have raised over $150,000 for Make-A-Wish. Make-A-Wish has used the donations to grant the wishes of 15 courageous children, like Armanii, who went on a once-in-a-lifetime vacation to Florida with his family where they visited SeaWorld and a fantasy theme park.

Each year in addition to the fundraising campaign, IKEA's 11 stores partner with Make-A-Wish chapters across Canada to grant inspirational room makeovers and enhancements for children with life-threatening medical conditions. Since the partnership began in 2009, IKEA Canada and its co-workers have transformed the living spaces for 72 wish children and their families.

"IKEA stores, employees and customers are making an invaluable impact on our mission in communities across the country," says Jennifer Ritter, CEO, Make-A-Wish Canada.  "As a result of IKEA's outstanding support since 2009, we've been able to make magical moments and lasting memories possible for our courageous wish kids and their families. Strong supporters, like IKEA, make our wish children believe anything is possible!"

IKEA's partnership with Make-A-Wish Canada is the cornerstone of IKEA Canada's Children's Support Program that is dedicated to helping children in the communities that IKEA serves.

About IKEA
IKEA is a leading home furnishings retailer with 325 stores in 40 countries worldwide, which are visited by 734 million people every year. IKEA Canada has 11 stores which are visited by over 25 million people every year. Last year the IKEA.com websites attracted 904 million visitors. Founded in 1943, IKEA's business philosophy is to offer a wide range of products of good design and function at prices so low, the majority of people can afford them. For more information on IKEA, please visit: www.IKEA.ca.

About Make-A-Wish Canada
Make-A-Wish Canada is a dynamic wish-granting organization that brings hope, strength and joy to children across Canada living with life-threatening medical conditions. Along with the national office, eight regional chapters grant magical wishes to children in need from coast-to-coast. Make-A-Wish Canada is an affiliate of Make-A-Wish® International, the largest wish-granting organization in the world, making dreams and wishes come true for more than 290,000 children since 1980. To learn more please visit www.makeawish.ca.

Media Contact:

Madeleine Löwenborg-Frick
Public Relations Manager
IKEA Canada
[email protected]
905-637-9440 x6378