TUSTIN, Calif., April 18, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Make-A-Wish Foundation(r) of Orange County and the Inland Empire, the recently merged 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America in partnership with Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, will honor 17 "Everyday Heroes" -- people across the country who have made a difference in the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions.
As part of the Foundation's year-long 25-year anniversary celebration, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises will host a bon voyage wish celebration ceremony for the honorees and wish families on Friday, May 6, in Miami, Fla., at the Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruise headquarters. The honorees and their families will embark on a seven-night cruise to the Caribbean, stopping in Puerto Rico, Nassau, St. Thomas, and St. Martin. Also on the cruise will be 10 Make-A-Wish children who wished for family vacations on the high seas, part of Royal/Celebrity's "Wishes at Sea" program benefiting hundreds of wish children each year. Additionally, Royal has offered the Foundation another 25 cabins as part of the 25th anniversary fund-raising effort.
"We're recognizing the people behind the scenes of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the everyday heroes who generously offer their time and resources to make dreams come true every day for these special children," said David Williams, CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. "We'd like to shine the spotlight on some of our volunteers for a moment -- every one of them exceptional. And we'd like to thank Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises for helping us to make dreams come true for these caring people."
Local honoree Susan Wan-Ross of Yorba Linda, Calif., has been instrumental in raising more than $150,000 over her five years as a volunteer with the Orange County and Inland Empire Chapter. Wan Ross, who works for Century 21 Superstars, has also been personally involved with the wish granting experience. Her first wish granting experience was helping to create a prom in 10 days for a young girl named Nicole who passed away shortly afterwards. "That touched me so deeply," she said. "It was very emotional."
"Susan's contributions to our chapter have been tremendous," shared Mark Pilon, CEO of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire. "We admire her tenacity, her unwavering care and commitment to help dreams come true for our wish kids, and her support of fellow Century 21 Superstars team members who come together to make a difference for our community."
About Make-A-Wish Foundation(r) of Orange County and the Inland Empire
Make-A-Wish Foundation(r) grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Born in 1980 when a group of caring individuals 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 74 chapters in the U.S. and its territories and 28 international affiliates on five continents. In 2005, the national organization celebrates "25 Years Making Dreams Come True."
Locally, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire, has granted over 2,500 wonderful wishes to children in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. To refer a child, or to learn how you can help, visit the organization's Web site at: www.wishocie.org. Phone: (714) 573-WISH (9474). E-mail: orangeco@wishocie.org.
About Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, with a combined total of 29 ships in service and two under construction. The company also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe through its cruise-tour division.