LISLE, Ill., June 22, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Easton, a 12 year-old boy fighting a cardiac condition, experienced the "staycation" of his dreams last week. Easton lives in Tennessee and is a giant country music fan. He even plays the guitar and drums to the beat of his favorite country songs. When the young country music enthusiast was asked what his ultimate wish was, no one was surprised that he wanted to stay in his home state and attend the CMA Music Festival. And thanks to Kretschmar Deli® and Make-A-Wish ® , his wish came true. Easton and his family were treated to four days of fun in Nashville, including an all-star concert at LP Field and a private concert featuring the Kretschmar Future Legends of Country.
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During his special week in Nashville, he saw some of his favorite acts take the stage. The Zac Brown Band and The Band Perry were among many of country music's legendary names that Easton saw perform as part of his wish experience. Easton also attended a private show featuring Kretschmar's Future Legends of Country. The performance featured three up-and-coming musicians, Ruthie Collins, Cheryl LuQuire and Elizabeth Huett, playing for him at the Bell Tower.
"It's our honor to be a part of Easton's wish," said Mike Sargent, Sr. Brand Manager for Kretschmar Deli. "He's a huge country music fan and it was so exciting to see him enjoy the CMA Music Festival. There's nothing like seeing kids smile and their eyes light up when their wishes come true. We're thrilled that he and his family had so much fun and we look forward to working with Make-A-Wish to see other kids have their wishes come true, too."
The wish was granted as part of a relationship that Make-A-Wish and Kretschmar established in 2012. Kretschmar has donated $105,000 annually to Make-A-Wish and is helping grant three specific wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses, including Easton's, in 2015. The campaign, known as "Legendary Wishes," has granted eight individual wishes since it began.
"We can only grant wishes like Easton's with help from our community," said Beth Torres, President & CEO for Make-A-Wish ® Middle Tennessee. "We feel very lucky to have Kretschmar Deli as part of our Middle Tennessee community."
For more information about Kretschmar Deli and its involvement with Make-A-Wish please visit www.KretschmarDeli.com or visit its Facebook page 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 and www.smithfieldcommitments.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. Based 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. Visit Make-A-Wish at www.wish.org to learn more.
The photo is also available via AP PhotoExpress.
Kathleen Kirkham (757) 365-1965
