LISLE, Ill., Nov. 05, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  Alyssa Willis, a 12-year-old girl battling acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), of Beaufort, N.C., is a big country music fan who wished to attend the CMA Awards in Nashville. Yesterday, Kretschmar® Premium Meats & Cheeses partnered with Make-A-Wish® to help make that wish come true.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/96253a23-5e65-4e9b-aadf-a91ce562663d

Alyssa was diagnosed with leukemia and is undergoing chemotherapy, but she hasn’t let that slow her down. She loves to cook, play softball, dance and listen to country music.

Kretschmar hosted a two-day VIP country music experience for Willis, beginning with a private concert by Ruthie Collins, a rising country star who is part of Kretschmar’s Future Legends of Country. Next, Alyssa and her family were treated to a show at the iconic Grand Ole Opry.

Yesterday, after some celebrity treatment by hair stylists and make-up artists, the super-fan had a red carpet experience and brushed elbows with some of country music’s biggest stars, and last night, she attended the main event, the CMA Awards.

“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 Alyssa,” said Mike Sargent, Senior Brand Manager, Kretschmar Deli. “The Kretschmar Future Legends of Country program is all about providing incredible country music experiences, and we were privileged to have the opportunity to make this unforgettable experience possible with help from Make-A-Wish.”

Since 2012, Kretschmar has contributed over $315,000 to Make-A-Wish nationally and sponsored more than nine wishes with local chapters through its “Legendary Wishes” campaign. 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 have raised over $50,000, which was given to local Make-A-Wish chapters to grant more wishes.

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.

CONTACT: Media Contact:
Faye Shroff
Breaking Limits
704-591-4353 (Mobile)
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