Brew Crew

When Robert L. Habush’s daughter was 2 months old, she experienced seizures and developmental delays due to an inoculation that was later recalled. It created in him, he says, “a tremendous compassion and empathy for children who are damaged, whether by disease or accident.”

That’s why the longest-running charitable program for his firm, Habush Habush & Rottier, has given more than 110,000 bicycle helmets to Wisconsin children. Its newest charitable program is also all about the kids: for every extra-base hit slugged by one of the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park, his firm donates $100 to Make-A-Wish Wisconsin.

“I was struck by … how meaningful [Make-A-Wish is] for children who have serious or lethal diseases,” Habush says. “At the same time I wanted to do something with the Brewers. This seemed like a perfect fit.”

The firm has a history with the Brewers—representing families of the workers who lost their lives in the Miller Park crane collapse in 1999. After the case settled, it donated $250,000 to erect three statues at the park to honor the workers.

So far, the new program has donated $9,500 to Make-A-Wish in 2014 and close to $20,000 in 2015.

“It’s been wonderful and successful,” says Forrest Doolen, PR manager for Make-A-Wish Wisconsin, adding that the firm directly granted two wishes in 2014 and would likely grant another four wishes in 2015.

The Habush firm’s donations helped build a game room for Anthony, a 9-year-old from Hartland with cystic fibrosis, and sent Asia, a 9-year-old from Milwaukee who’s living with a hematologic disorder, to Walt Disney World with her family. It also helped Colin, a 9-year-old heart transplant recipient. He went to Miller Park in the summer and Disney World in October.

Despite the Brewers’ record this year, Habush points out that they’re among the league leaders in extra-base hits. “That’s terrific for Make-A-Wish, great for our objective, and great to be able to sponsor more wishes for the kids.”