100 Years, 100 Wishes!

LE MARS, Iowa, April 29, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- A birthday is an occasion to celebrate, a day to make special wishes come true. No brand knows this better than Wells Enterprises, Inc., makers of Blue Bunny ice cream. To commemorate it's own special birthday, the ice cream maker has aligned with Make-A-Wish® to ensure its 100^th birthday wish comes true – that 100 kids with life-threatening medical conditions have their wishes granted.

Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130429/CG02983)

The 100 Years, 100 Wishes program, launching on World Wish Day®, April 29, is a celebration of Wells' 100^th birthday and a gesture of gratitude to the fans and families that have included Blue Bunny ice cream in their family moments throughout several generations.

World Wish Day celebrates the anniversary of the wish that inspired the founding of Make-A-Wish. The launch of 100 Years, 100 Wishes on this special day celebrates the 100 more kids and families whose lives will be enriched with hope, strength and joy through the wishes Wells will help grant across the country.

Wish-granting events will take place nationwide during the coming weeks and months, each celebrated and continuously captured throughout the year with photos and videos on 100Years100Wishes.com. Join the celebration and lend support to the 100 wish kids by signing the Wish Card at 100Years100Wishes.com. The collection of signatures and messages will be delivered to each of the 100 wish kids on Wells' birthday, October 24.

"Wells and Make-A-Wish have a unique connection and alignment in values. Simply put, we both work to bring more joy and smiles to families," said Mike Wells, president and CEO of Wells Enterprises, Inc. "We believe that the best wish isn't just the one you make, it's the one you give, and I've been fortunate to see first-hand the power and impact a wish has on Make-A-Wish kids and how a wish-come-true can make life better for everyone involved."

According to a 2011 Wish Impact Study, parents of wish kids said wishes gave their kids renewed strength to fight their illnesses, and that the experiences helped bring the entire family closer together. Further, 89 percent of medical professionals – doctors, nurses, social workers, and child-life specialists – said that wish experiences have the ability to influence the physical health condition of wish kids.

"Wishes are more than a nice thing – they can be life-changing experiences for wish kids, their families, friends, communities, and the supporters and sponsors, like Wells, that help make those wishes possible," said David Williams, Make-A-Wish America president and chief executive officer. "Through the 100 Years, 100 Wishes program, Wells is transforming ice cream into more than just a favorite treat. We are thrilled to join Wells in celebrating its 100^th birthday and granting 100 wishes together for kids with life-threatening medical conditions."

For more information about the wishes being granted as part of the 100 Years, 100 Wishes program, visit 100Years100Wishes.com. For more information about Make-A-Wish, please visit wish.org.

About Wells Enterprises, Inc. and Blue Bunny
Wells Enterprises, Inc. is the largest privately held, family-owned ice cream and frozen treat manufacturer in the United States. The company was founded in 1913 and is headquartered in Le Mars, Iowa, the Ice Cream Capital of the World. Wells produces more than 1,100 ice cream and frozen novelty products, including its signature brand, Blue Bunny^®, and super premium brand, 2^nd St. Creamery™. Wells also manufactures licensed frozen treat brands including Yoplait^® frozen yogurt, Weight Watchers^® frozen novelties, and the iconic Bomb Pop™. Visit WellsEnterprisesInc.com.

Visit BlueBunny.com for more about Blue Bunny Ice Cream and follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/BlueBunnyIceCream.

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 can have positive impacts on the health of children. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illnesses, 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. With the help of generous donors and more than 25,000 volunteers, Make-A-Wish grants a wish somewhere in the country every 38 minutes. It has granted more than 226,000 wishes since its inception in 1980; nearly 14,000 in 2012 alone. Visit Make-A-Wish at wish.org to learn more.

SOURCE Wells Enterprises, Inc.