Century Payments Collaborates with Make-A-Wish® to Help Make Children’s Wishes Come True

FRISCO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Century Payments, Inc., an industry leader in payments processing, announced today that it entered a one year alliance with Make-A-Wish, one of the world’s leading children’s charities, through December 31, 2013. Over the past three years alone through its Every Swipe Counts^SM program, Century has donated over a half a million dollars through partnerships with other charitable organizations. Since 2009, the program helps contribute to various causes one credit card transaction at a time.

“We are excited to collaborate with Make-A-Wish and are honored to enrich children’s lives, helping make their wishes come true with every credit card swipe.”

Through the Every Swipe Counts^SM program, Century Payments will donate $25 to Make-A-Wish on behalf of every merchant that begins processing with Century Payments and designates Make-A-Wish as a charity of choice. In addition, a minimum of $0.01 of each credit card swipe is donated by Century Payments to the cause through December 31, 2013. Merchants who participate in the Every Swipe Counts^SM program can proudly display their participation, through point-of-purchase signage and window displays which serve as a reminder to their customers and local communities of their affiliation and support of Make-A-Wish.

Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has given hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Make-A-Wish’s mission reflects the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wish experience has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors and entire communities. A network of nearly 25,000 volunteers enables Make-A-Wish to serve children with life-threatening medical conditions. Since its humble beginnings, the organization has granted more than 226,000 wishes to children in the U.S.

“The Every Swipe Counts^SM program allows consumers and businesses to play a role in granting the one true wish of children with life-threatening medical conditions,” said David Williams, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish. “With every credit card swipe, Century Payments helps us get closer to our vision of granting the wish of every eligible child.”

Several years ago a close family member of Century Payment’s co-founder battled with cancer. Due to the overwhelming support given to the family, it was decided by executives of the company to create a program that enables businesses to make a difference for various causes through a normal business practice of accepting credit cards. That’s when the Every Swipes Counts^SM program was developed.

“Century Payments created the Every Swipe Counts^SM program to provide small and medium sized businesses with the opportunity to support charities without impacting their bottom line,” stated Julie LaPolla, Senior Executive of Strategic Accounts at Century Payments. “We are excited to collaborate with Make-A-Wish and are honored to enrich children’s lives, helping make their wishes come true with every credit card swipe.”

About Century Payments

Century Payments, Inc. is a nationally recognized leader in the electronic payment processing industry, dedicated to developing the most progressive, dynamic programs to benefit merchants, partners and agents alike. Through white label alliance programs, Century is the fastest growing electronic payments company having boarded over 50,000 merchants in the last three years and processing close to $12 billion in annual volume. In 2012, Century entered into an elite group recognized on the Inc. 500 list as one of the top 100 fastest growing, privately owned businesses for three consecutive years. The company is headquartered in Frisco, Texas. Visit www.centurypayments.com for more information.

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 can have positive impacts on the health of children. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illnesses, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family. Based 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 25,000 volunteers, Make-A-Wish grants a wish somewhere in the country every 38 minutes. It has granted more than 226,000 wishes since its inception in 1980; nearly 14,000 in 2012 alone. Visit Make-A-Wish at wish.org to learn more.