RIVERSIDE, Calif. (December 5, 2011)—Stater Bros. Charities, the charitable arm of Stater Bros. Markets of San Bernardino presented the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Orange County and the Inland Empire with a $20,000 donation last month. Stater Bros. first partnered with Make-A-Wish in 2009 when the grocery store chain was contacted and asked to be a part of a wish for a young, local boy named Tristan, who wished to be a farmer. The wish inspired the store’s employees to do more. With their $20,000 donation, Stater Bros. Charities was able to adopt the wishes of four local children.

“In honor of Stater Bros. Supermarkets 75th Anniversary, Stater Bros. Charities’ focus for 2011 has been to help children-in-need,” said Sarah Cain, executive director of Stater Bros. Charities. “The Make-A-Wish Foundation was just a perfect fit and hopefully we’ve been able to bring a little bit of holiday joy to the kids helped by this great organization, as well.”

Board members from Stater Bros. joined Cain and presented the check at Make-A-Wish’s Holiday Open House in Riverside on November 17. In return, they received four plaques featuring a picture and wish story for each of the children whose wish Stater Bros. had adopted. The night was made even more memorable when Cain and the others met and had the opportunity to connect with two of those children and their families.

Devine, age 15, was one of those kids. Devine, who has a rare medical condition leading to tumors in his respiratory track, wished to have an electronics shopping spree. Armed with the list of items he hoped to buy, Devine set out on his wish day with a wide grin and a happy heart. Devine’s mother, Stacy, came to the open house with her son. She was grateful for the chance to meet the people from Stater Bros. who were responsible for giving her son an unforgettable day and helping his wish come true.

The three other wishes adopted by Stater Bros. included Brendan, Donald and Jade.

Brendan, who wished to go to Canada, is a 17-year-old boy battling leukemia. He grew up watching hockey with his dad, who was born in Canada. Brendan wanted to go to Toronto because he is passionate about hockey, and as a hockey fan, Brendan knew Toronto was the place to go. He and his family spent a week touring the city, going to Niagara Falls and visiting the Hockey Hall of Fame. The trip provided the much needed respite from his fight with leukemia and allowed him to feel like a normal, carefree teenager.

Donald is also a 17-year-old boy, living in Corona, who was diagnosed with leukemia a few years ago. Donald’s father bought a 1965 Mustang for Donald right before he got his driver’s license. The two planned on restoring the car together, but their plans came to a halt when Donald got sick.

When Donald was asked what his most heartfelt wish was, he knew instantly it would be to have his Mustang restored. Make-A-Wish contacted the folks at Barry’s Speed Shop, and before long, Donald’s car was completely overhauled. When the car was revealed to him, Donald was speechless, but the smile on Donald’s face said it all.

The fourth wish adopted by Stater Bros. was for 6-year-old Jade. This little girl is fascinated with everything Disney. When it came time for her to tell her wish granters what she wanted, she told them she wished to go the Walt Disney World Resort. While watching all the shows she loves on the Disney Channel, she saw the Resort and knew she had to visit there someday. Jade, who has leukemia, was flown with her family to Florida where they all experienced the Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center and Disney World’s Hollywood Studios. To top it off, Jade got to eat at restaurants with her favorite Disney characters right by her side. Her wish allowed Jade and her family to leave all their struggles and stress behind them.

All four of these wishes provide lasting memories that will be cherished, not just for the wish kids, but for the families, too. According to a recent study, the wish experience can actually mark a turning point in a child’s fight against their illness. The study also showed a wish granted can help repair and strengthen a family, often strained by the stress of the illness.

Stater Bros. contributed to the well-being of numerous people through adopting the wishes of Devine, Brendan, Donald and Jade. The donation made a real, immediate impact on lives of everyone involved. Presenting the check at the open house was truly special, adding to the magic of the night. Stephanie McCormick, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish, was on-hand for the presentation.

“Stater Bros. clearly defines what it means to be a community partner,” McCormick said. “They have reached out and touched the lives of not just four children, but their families and the community, as well. We are grateful for their generosity and support.”

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire grants more than 300 local wishes a year. The Foundation relies on the support of the community and companies like Stater Bros. to help in its mission of granting wishes.

Somewhere in the world, every hour of every day, a child’s wish comes true thanks to the generosity of individuals and communities who support Make-A-Wish Foundation® through fundraising efforts. To find out more information about Make-A-Wish, please visit www.wishocie.org. To learn more about corporate involvement, please contact Kim Stauffer at (951) 321-0179 ext. 313.

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 one of the world’s leading children’s charities, with 62 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 200,000 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®.

About Stater Bros. Charities

Stater Bros. Charities is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports critical needs in the communities where Stater Bros. employees live and work.  Since 2008, Stater Bros. Charities has provided over $5 million to countless local organizations and causes that benefit hunger relief, children in need, education for both youth and adults, services for the elderly and care for our Nation’s Veterans.  Funds are raised throughout the year from generous customers, supplier friends, and caring members of the Stater Bros. Supermarket Family.  For more information, log onto www.staterbros.com.