The WWE, the extremely popular wrestling company, has avid fans who attend the firm’s wrestling matches and watch its many cable TV shows. It also has detractors who pan the “fake” nature of the matches and its glorification of certain over-the-top activities.
But the WWE certainly scores a 10+ for its involvement in the community, especially with the Make-A-Wish Foundation — a nonprofit organization with “tens of thousands of volunteers, donors, and supporters who advance the Make-A-Wish vision to grant the wish of every child diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition. In the United States and its territories, on average, a wish is granted every 37 minutes.”
WWE’s efforts on behalf of the Make-a-Wish Foundation were recently highlighted by ESPN.com:
“On Monday August 24, 2015, WWE’s wrestler John Cena will become the first celebrity to grant 500 wishes in Make-A-Wish Foundation history. ‘I just drop everything,’ Cena said. ‘If I can offer a fantastic experience, I’ll be first in line to do my part.’ Cena granted his first wish in 2004, about two years after his WWE debut. As he soared toward the top of the wrestling world, so did his popularity with Make-A-Wish children. He granted his 300th wish in 2012 and hit 400 in 2014. He was the first celebrity to reach those milestones. ‘They certainly deserve a day as a real kid,’ Cena said.”
“The 38-year-old Cena is following a WWE tradition of granting wishes. The organization has granted more than 6,000 wishes to meet WWE superstars or attend its live shows. The tradition started in the early 1980s with Hulk Hogan being the most requested. Nearly 50 wrestlers have granted wishes since 2001. With WWE chief brand officer Stephanie McMahon on hand, the sports entertainment company made a $1 million commitment to Make-A-Wish at a recent event.”
“Many families stay in touch with Cena, sometimes writing that the time spent helped turn the child’s attitude and physical condition around. He also receives heartfelt, thankful letters for brightening days for children who eventually died.”
To read more of the ESPN story, click the image.
I think it is what a good company, organization should be doing to be a good corporate citizen. Giving back to the communities that business service is the right thing to do. Make a Wish is an outstanding organization . My friend has cystic fibrosis and Make a Wish sent her and her family to Hawaii for a week before she had to go back in the hospital. For years I volunteered at The United Way of Long Island helping with their Stuff a Bus campaign . The campaign helps supply school items to students who may have difficulty purchasing them. I was born with one kidney and my family and my mother’s bank sponsor the AKF golf outing every year. Giving back is not only the right thing to do from an ethical standpoint it makes the person feel good and can also give the company good marketing press.
The WWE although has a bad history with the media is one of the few industries that gives back to the community. Whether its the Make A Wish foundation or traveling to Afghanistan to put on a show for the military veterans, wwe has always been able to put people first. Being a fan I was able to see how much they gave back and how much time the wrestlers give to the industry even when they’re injured.They understand that from a marketing aspect the WWE is huge, spanning over 200 countries and that giving back would improve their companies’ image. Its people like them that can make humanity and thing of beauty.
What the WWE is doing is great. Making money is great but, nothing is greater than seeing with your own eyes how happy you can make someone when you give back. The WWE should keep this tradition going and hopefully other organizations will also start to give back.
I like how the WWE donates their time and effort into making children’s wishes come true. While it could be for good PR, I’d like to think that John Cena is doing it out of the kindness of their heart. However, I do think that this is the case, because Cena seems to go above and beyond with the families of the sick children. He isn’t obligated to keep in touch with the families after their children pass away, but he does regardless.
It warms my heart that people are giving their time to brighten someone’s day that may not have many days left. It bothers me sometimes when people who have a lot of money and a lot of time wont take maybe 3 hours out of their day to make a child’s wish come true. John Cena is definitely getting great PR reviews for contributing this much to the community.