LISLE, Ill., Nov. 24, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Justice Moncrief, a 10-year-old Hattiesburg, Miss. boy battling a life-threatening seizure disorder, loves cartoons and lights up when he sees his favorite characters on the TV screen. So Kretschmar® Premium Meats & Cheeses partnered with Make-A-Wish® Mississippi and The Roberts Company to help make Justice’s dream of going to an Orlando theme park a reality.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/17d779f3-9de0-412f-8806-1f8252eda735
Make-A-Wish, The Roberts Company, and Kretschmar hosted a send-off party at a children’s restaurant in Hattiesburg, which was attended by Justice’s family and friends. Justice’s mother, grandmother and two siblings will make the trip to Orlando with him next month. Justice is non-verbal, but his family says his favorite cartoon characters put a smile on his face and bring him a lot of joy. His mother can’t wait to see how much he’ll love visiting the theme park.
Since 2012, Kretschmar has contributed over $315,000 to Make-A-Wish nationally and sponsored more than ten wishes with local chapters through its “Legendary Wishes” campaign.
“Make-A-Wish is thankful to the Roberts Company and Kretschmar for helping make dreams come true for wish kids like Justice,” said Rod Henderson, Senior Director of Development, Make-A-Wish Mississippi. “These companies understand how meaningful a wish come true is to a child with a life-threatening medical condition and to the child’s family. A wish experience motivates and offers hope during some of life's most difficult circumstances and encourages the family, because they know that people in the community genuinely care."
Along with its retail partners, Kretschmar has raised additional funding through sales of Make-A-Wish paper stars sold at stores’ registers for $1 donations, employee donations and sandwich fundraisers. Those efforts raised over $65,000, which was given to local Make-A-Wish chapters.
“Kretschmar is committed to supporting the important efforts of Make-A-Wish and helping to make wishes come true for children with life-threatening medical conditions, like Justice,” said Michael Sargent, Senior Brand Manager, Kretschmar Deli. “By partnering with local deli partners like The Roberts Company, we are able to help support Make-A-Wish locally and to give back to families in communities that we serve.”
For more information about Kretschmar Deli and its involvement with Make-A-Wish visit www.KretschmarDeli.com or www.Facebook.com/KretschmarDeli.
Kretschmar is a brand of Smithfield Foods.
About Kretschmar
Kretschmar® Premium Deli Meats & Cheeses has meant quality since 1883. Our hams are made with a unique hardwood smoking process. Kretschmar poultry and beef are hand-trimmed using the finest cuts. Our full line of Off-The-Bone deli meats are delicately sliced from the leanest, most tender cuts. And our premium Wisconsin cheeses repeatedly win in competitions world-wide. Try the Legendary Taste of Kretschmar today. For great recipes and more, like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/kretschmardeli or visit our website at www.kretschmardeli.com.
About Smithfield Foods
Smithfield Foods is a $15 billion global food company and the world's largest pork processor and hog producer. In the United States, the company is also the leader in numerous packaged meats categories with popular brands including Smithfield®, Eckrich®, Farmland®, Armour®, Cook's®, John Morrell®, Gwaltney®, Nathan's Famous®, Kretschmar®, Margherita®, Curly's®, Carando® and Healthy Ones®. Smithfield Foods is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com.
About Make-A-Wish
Make-A-Wish grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. According to a 2011 U.S. study of wish impact, most health professionals surveyed believe a wish-come-true has positive impacts on the health of children. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illness, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family. Headquartered in Phoenix, Make-A-Wish is one of the world's leading children's charities, serving children in every community in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and more than 27,000 volunteers, Make-A-Wish grants a wish somewhere in the country every 37 minutes. It has granted more than 254,000 wishes since its inception in 1980; more than 14,200 in 2014 alone. Visit Make-A-Wish at www.wish.org to learn more.