Seeks Help From The Hawaiian Public To Raise Another Million Miles

To help grant the wishes of local children with life-threatening medical conditions, Alaska Airlines is donating 1 million miles to Make-A-Wish Hawaii. The airline also asked the community to help raise 1 million more miles. As part of the new partnership with the nonprofit, the Seattle-based airline will also donate 100 miles to Make-A-Wish for every Hawaii resident who registers for a new Mileage Plan account during 2013, up to 1 million additional miles.

The gift and new campaign were announced at a dinner hosted by Alaska Airlines' board of directors and senior executives. Nearly 300 of Hawaii's government, tourism, business and community leaders attended the event, held at The Royal Hawaiian.

"Alaska Airlines and our employees have been strong supporters of Make-A-Wish for nearly three decades and we're delighted to extend our involvement here in the Islands to support Hawaii keiki facing life-threatening illness with this gift of 1 million miles," said Joe Sprague, Alaska Airlines' vice president of marketing. "We are deeply honored to have the opportunity to help make children's wishes come true and bring joy to a child's life during a difficult time. We hope all Hawaii residents will 'Share the Power of a Wish' by simply signing up for our Mileage Plan and encouraging their family and friends to support the important work of Make-A-Wish by joining, as well."

Of the 80 wishes Make-A-Wish Hawaii aims to grant this year, nearly 90 percent are travel-related, making air transportation vital to the organization's mission. Sprague estimates that each 1-million-mile donation could help another 25 Hawaii wish children and their families fly to their wish destination.

"When a child with a life-threatening medical condition dreams big, we know that Alaska Airlines is there to help make their wish come true," said Siana Austin Hunt, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Hawaii. "Donating airline miles goes a long way to helping us grant children's wishes and giving them and their families a much-deserved reprieve from the medical challenges they face every day."

FMI: www.alaskaair.com