Merchant Services Sponsors Child’s Wish to Meet Kobe Bryant

Feb. 4, 2010 - PRLog -- Fourteen year-old Kevin is a bright young man living with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.  Growing up he has always loved to watch and play basketball with his dad.  Right up until his treatment, Kevin was very involved in playing basketball for the Boys and Girls Club.  As his interest grew he never missed watching a Lakers game on television.  So when it came time to meet with our wish granters he knew exactly what to wish for; to go to a Lakers game and meet his favorite player Kobe Bryant!

On the night of his wish, Kevin and his family were revved up and ready to go with their Lakers jerseys and foam fingers to cheer on their team.  Kevin’s wish began when he was picked up in a sleek limousine and dropped off at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.  Next, they picked up their Lakers verses Kings tickets and proceeded to their amazing seats.  As the stadium filled, so did their excitement.  

Before he knew it, the game began.  They cheered, laughed, ate junk food, and danced in their seats at half time.  At the end of the game he was escorted to a special room where he waited to meet Kobe Bryant.  He beamed with excitement and admiration at the sight of his sports idol.  They enjoyed getting to know each other, talking about game strategy, and taking pictures.  Kevin left the stadium with his autographed memorabilia and a huge grin.
Kevin is grateful to theMake-A-Wish Foundation® for giving him an amazing experience he will remember forever. Vice President of Merchant Services, Bob Parisi shared “We are thrilled to provide these inspiring young people with the opportunity to experience a day of fun and laughter – something incredible to take them outside of the challenges they sometimes face.”

The Merchant Services family is proud and honored to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation® in making Kevin’s wish of meeting Kobe Bryant a reality.  Merchant Services’ corporate culture is grounded in giving back to the community, and the company stands firm in its commitment to donate a portion of its proceeds to deserving not-for-profit organizations, including its proud support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation®.

Founded in 1995, Merchant Services is a leading provider of e-commerce solutions to businesses throughout the United States.  Recognized in 2009 by Inc. Magazine as one of The 5000 Fastest Growing Privately-Held Companies in the U.S., Merchant Services provides sound, reliable and cost-effective bankcard and e-commerce support to tens of thousands of business partners nationwide.  

Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work. Since its beginning, the organization has reached more than 174,000 children around the world. The Foundation's mission reflects the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wish® experience has on children, families, and entire communities. To learn more about the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Orange County and the Inland Empire please visit www.wishocie.org.

# # #

Founded in 1995, Merchant Services in Irvine, CA, is a leading provider of e-commerce solutions to businesses throughout the United States. Recognized in 2009 by Inc. Magazine as one of The 5000 Fastest Growing Privately-Held Companies in the U.S., Merchant Services provides sound, reliable and cost-effective bankcard and e-commerce support to tens of thousands of business partners nationwide.