McCormick Place - Chicago - Heidelberg turned a portion of its Graph Expo exhibit into a wish factory for the Northern Illinois chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, producing a variety of printed products that the charitable group uses in its fund-raising activities. Make-A-Wish fulfills the wishes of children between the ages of 2 1/2 and 18, who are battling life-threatening illnesses. Fulfilling those wishes eases the burden that serious illnesses place on the children and their parents. "To help raise funds to fulfill children's wishes requires a significant amount of printed material," said Linda Giovacchini Parck, Director of Corporate and Donor Relations for the Illinois chapter. "For the past ten years, Heidelberg has been graciously donating the printing it does at Chicago shows to our cause." This year's projects included printing the chapter's holiday cards, which are sold to the public in a seasonal drive. That campaign typically raises over $30,000 in funds for Make-A-Wish, according to Parck. The total value of Heidelberg's work for the foundation this year is estimated to be between $30,000 and $40,000. "We like to do everything we can to help ensure that these Make-A-Wish children have their wishes fulfilled," says Eric Frank, Vice President for Direct Imaging & Digital Printing, Heidelberg USA. "The Make-A-Wish print projects give us an opportunity to show-off the Speedmaster 74 DI's advantages at the show," Frank adds. "Plus they let us to contribute to a good cause, which we've grown closer to over the last decade." Julie E. Pendell, the foundation's Direct Marketing and Grants Manager agreed: "Heidelberg has become an important member of the Make-A-Wish family with its annual contribution of printing here in Chicago," she said. "It's good to have a corporate sponsor you can rely upon - year-after-year."