WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Longs Drug Stores Corporation announced today that it has raised $1 million for the Make-A-Wish Foundation(R). The donations raised in the past two years have helped to grant the wishes of more than 150 children on the West Coast and in Hawaii with life-threatening medical conditions.
"Longs Drugs is proud to give back to the communities in which we live and serve. The Make-A-Wish Foundation shares our dream to enrich the lives of those around us," said Warren F. Bryant, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Longs Drug Stores Corporation. "Together, our customers and employees have found one million ways to make a difference in these children's lives," Bryant said.
During the past two years, Longs Drug Stores increased awareness for the Foundation by inviting customers to purchase special Make-A-Wish(R) products. In addition, Longs Drugs employees have personally enjoyed participating in granting the wishes of children, including:
-- A wish for a backyard basketball court in Sacramento, California.
-- A San Diego, California wish to visit the family's 400-year old farm in
England.
-- A wish for a turtle-themed bedroom in Santa Barbara, California.
-- A La Quinta, California wish to go to Super Bowl XL.
-- A wish for a nature-themed bedroom in Torrance, California.
-- A Piedmont, California wish to visit New York City.
-- Two Disney Cruise wishes from Oceanside and Nipomo, California.
-- Two Disneyland wishes from Honolulu and Waianae, Hawaii.
-- Three Disney World wishes from Los Gatos, San Ramon and San Jose
California.
"We want to thank Longs Drugs for its incredible support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and children with life-threatening medical conditions," said David Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer of Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.
"The commitment by Longs Drugs, its employees and its customers has helped us bring hope, strength and joy to children and families when they need it the most. It is a gift they will always treasure," Williams said.
About The Make-A-Wish Foundation(R)
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. Born in 1980 when a group of caring people 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 69 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 more than 12,600 wishes a year and has granted more than 148,000 wishes in the U.S. since inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit http://www.wish.org/ and discover how you can share the power of a wish(R).
About Longs Drug Stores Corporation
Headquartered in Walnut Creek, California, Longs Drug Stores Corporation is one of the most recognized retail drug store chains on the West Coast and in Hawaii. The Company operates 509 retail pharmacies and offers a wide assortment of merchandise focusing on health, wellness, beauty and convenience. Longs also provides pharmacy benefit management services and Medicare beneficiary prescription drug plans through its wholly-owned subsidiary, RxAmerica, LLC. Additional information about Longs and its services is available at http://www.longs.com/ and more information about RxAmerica is available at http://www.rxamerica.com/.
