LISLE, Ill., Dec. 09, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kretschmar® Premium Meats & Cheeses has partnered with the Roberts Company, Inc. family of grocery stores and Make-A-Wish® Mississippi to help grant a young Hattiesburg boy's most heartfelt wish. Miller, a five-year-old fighting a congenital heart condition, loves theme parks and the holiday season. It came as no surprise when Miller told Make-A-Wish that his dream was to experience the magic of the holidays at a popular Orlando theme park with his family.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4283db88-5b24-49f6-a70b-2084ca659d54

Kretschmar, Corner Market, Sunflower Food Stores, and Make-A-Wish granted Miller's wish, then threw him a big party on his fifth birthday to send him off to Florida. The party was hosted by Chi Omega Sorority at the University of Southern Mississippi, and included a musical performance from the sorority and a local children's choir.  

Miller will experience the trip of a lifetime while in Orlando, where he and his family will meet their favorite cartoon characters, enjoy theme park rides, and see spectacular holiday lights and decorations. The highlight of the trip will be when Miller meets Santa Claus.

"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 Miller," said Michael J. Sargent, Smithfield Foods senior brand manager. "We are privileged to have the opportunity to make this unforgettable experience possible with help from Corner Market, Sunflower Food Stores, and Make-A-Wish."

In Miller's lifetime, he has been through four open heart surgeries. His parents say he is courageous and does not allow his condition to limit him. Miller loves to ride his bike, run around with his friends, and play golf.

"Make-A-Wish Mississippi is extremely grateful to the Roberts Company family of grocery stores and Kretschmar for their understanding of how critical a wish experience is in the healing process for children like Miller," said Rod Henderson, Make-A-Wish Mississippi senior director of development.  "We appreciate both companies for engaging and allowing the community to be part of the life-changing story for wish kids.  These experiences will be forever treasured by these children."

Since 2012, Kretschmar has contributed more than $600,000 to Make-A-Wish nationally and sponsored more than 12 wishes with local chapters through the brand's Legendary Wishes campaign.

Thanks to retail partners like the Roberts Company, 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. Corner Market and Sunflower Food Stores locally raised $14,000 from October 31 through November 12 to help grant future wishes like Miller's. These efforts with retail partners have raised more than $85,000, which was given to local Make-A-Wish chapters to grant more wishes.

For more information about Kretschmar Deli and the brand's 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 $14 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®, Nathan's Famous®, Farmland®, Armour®, John Morrell®, Cook's®, Kretschmar®, Gwaltney®, Curly's®, Margherita®, Carando®, Healthy Ones®, Krakus®, Morliny®, and Berlinki®. 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 28,000 volunteers, Make-A-Wish grants a wish somewhere in the country every 21 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.

Contact:
Leah Rubertino
Breaking Limits for Kretschmar
(626) 676.3735
lrubertino@breakinglimits.net