ORLANDO, Fla. \u2014 Southwest Airlines and Make-A-Wish celebrated 15 years of partnership by sending a 6-year-old girl named Emmie to Walt Disney World during World Princess Week.<\/p>\n
The airline donates $1 million in travel annually to Make-A-Wish to assist children facing critical illnesses and their families. More than 70% of wish requests granted by the organization involve travel.<\/p>\n
Emmie\u2019s trip began at home with a delivery from the Disney Store that included a costume, tiara, and activity books. <\/p>\n
On Sunday, Aug. 16, Southwest Airlines employees hosted a send-off celebration at the airport gate in Denver before Emmie and her family flew to Orlando. During the flight, crew members and passengers received Disney ear headbands to mark the occasion.<\/p>\n
Whitney Eichinger serves as senior vice president and chief communications officer at Southwest Airlines and is a member of the Make-A-Wish America Board. \u201cAt Southwest, connecting People to what matters most is at the Heart of what we do, and for 15 years, our partnership with Make-A-Wish has helped children facing critical illnesses and their families reach life-changing wish experiences,\u201d <\/p>\n
Eichinger said. \u201cWe\u2019re honored to celebrate this milestone by helping Emmie\u2019s fairytale wish come true.\u201d<\/p>\n
Click here<\/a> to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here<\/a> to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.<\/p>\n