Discover® Selects Washington Make-A-Wish® Kid as Official “Stick Kid” of the 2017 Coors Light NHL All-Star Skills Competition™
Donates $50,000 to Make-A-Wish
RIVERWOODS, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As part of the 2017 Honda NHL® All-Star Weekend, Discover and Make-A-Wish®
surprised eight-year-old Zach Cezar of Snoqualmie, Washington, whose
wish is to attend the 2017 Honda NHL® All-Star Game, with news that he
will receive the ultimate NHL® All-Star Weekend fan experience.
Zach will be the official “Stick Kid” of the 2017 Coors Light NHL
All-Star Skills Competition™. He will receive an exclusive “Stick Kid”
jersey and helmet when he arrives in Los Angeles. As part of the
package, Zach gets a sneak peek at the locker rooms, will hang out on
the players’ bench at the 2017 Coors Light NHL All-Star Skills
Competition™ on Saturday, and attend the 2017 Honda NHL® All-Star Game
with his family on Sunday.
Zach was surprised with the news of his wish after hockey practice with
his teammates this evening in Renton, Washington. The surprise was
extra-special for Zach, who had to take a break from playing hockey
while undergoing cancer treatment, but always had the support of his
teammates to help him through.
“At first, I wanted to quit hockey as I didn’t think I’d play well when
I was sick,” said Zach. “But I didn’t quit because I would miss my team.
My favorite part of hockey is being on my team.”
Through its sponsorship of the NHL and long-term relationship with
Make-A-Wish, which includes nearly $18 million donated by Discover
cardmembers to Make-A-Wish through Discover’s Cashback Bonus®
program, Discover was thrilled to help bring today’s events to fruition.
“For 27 years, the generosity Discover cardmembers have shown through
donations to Make-A-Wish has provided hundreds of opportunities for us
to help grant wishes to children like Zach. Every wish granted is
equally heartwarming and we’re grateful that our relationship with the
NHL will provide Zach and his family the experience of a lifetime at the
2017 Honda NHL® All-Star Game,” said Matt Towson, director of community
affairs at Discover.
As part of the surprise, Discover donated $50,000 to Make-A-Wish on
behalf of Zach and his family.
“Zach’s wish demonstrates the ability for community partners to take a
wish request and transform it into a truly unforgettable experience,”
said David Williams, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “With the
help of Discover and the NHL, Zach and his family’s time at the NHL®
All-Star Weekend will serve as an ongoing source of positivity and joy.”
Discover is an official partner of the NHL, and its commitment to the
NHL provides opportunities to engage with U.S. hockey fans nationwide
and develop exclusive hockey-themed rewards and experiences across
special NHL events, including the 2017 Honda NHL® All-Star
Game. Discover cardmembers also receive an exclusive discount when
shopping on Shop.NHL.com and at Official NHL All-Star retail locations
in Los Angeles.
About Discover
Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment
services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S.
financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become
one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues
the Discover card, America’s cash rewards pioneer, and offers private
student loans, personal loans, home equity loans, checking and savings
accounts and certificates of deposit through its direct banking
business. It operates the Discover Network, with millions of merchant
and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation’s leading ATM/debit
networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with
acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more
information, visit www.discover.com/company.
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 28,000 volunteers, Make-A-Wish grants a
wish somewhere in the country every 35 minutes. It has granted more than
270,000 wishes since its inception in 1980; more than 14,800 in 2015
alone. Visit Make-A-Wish at www.wish.org
to learn more.
About the 2017 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend
The Los Angeles Kings, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary, and
the city of Los Angeles will play host to the 2017 Honda NHL®
All-Star Weekend. The festivities begin with the opening of the 2017
NHL Fan Fair™, including the NHL®
Centennial Fan Arena, on Thursday, Jan. 26; continue with the
celebration of the 100
Greatest NHL Players at THE
NHL100 on Friday, Jan. 27 (6:30 p.m. PT / 9:30 p.m.
ET, NBCSN, SN, TVAS) and the 2017 Coors Light NHL All-Star Skills
Competition™ on Saturday, Jan. 28 (4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET, NBCSN,
CBC, SN, TVAS); and conclude with the 2017 Honda NHL® All-Star Game on
Sunday, Jan. 29 (12:30 p.m. PT / 3:30 p.m. ET, NBC, CBC, SN, TVAS).
Visit NHL.com/AllStar for
more information.
Contacts
Discover
Matthew Towson
224-405-5649
matthewtowson@discover.com
or
Make-A-Wish
Josh
deBerge
602-792-3185
jdeberge@wish.org
