EPIC Fitness and Impact Fitness were once again the presenting sponsors for Walk for Wishes in Detroit, Michigan on May 4. The event benefited Make-A-Wish Michigan, which provides life-changing “wishes” for kids with critical illnesses.

The franchises worked hard to raise money for the cause, and the hard work paid off, as the groups surpassed their fundraising goals this year and raised the largest amount of money collected in all nine years of their sponsorship. Including the groups’ sponsorship fee, they were able to raise over $130,000. This greatly surpassed their fundraising goal of $125,000. Additionally, the total raised was more than last year’s amount raised at around $75,000. EPIC’s Utica, Michigan, club raised the most money out of all its locations, with over $4,300 in donations.

This was the two franchises’ ninth year as presenting sponsor. Over the years, the franchises have raised more than $730,000 for Make-A-Wish. Each wish is, on average, around $10,000, so at least 73 children in Michigan have had a wish granted, thanks to the franchise groups’ efforts. The list of children still waiting for a wish has nearly 600 names. The groups plan to continue to partner with Make-A-Wish, so they can give as many kids as possible the chance at gaining a wish.

“Each year, this event gets bigger and better. It was inspiring to see so many people gather to participate in support of this worthy cause. The best part is meeting the children and families impacted by a wish; there aren’t words to describe what a wish means to them,” said Mary Scott, vice president of marketing for EPIC Fitness Group.