Organization Profile

Mission Statement:  The Make-A-Wish Foundation^® grants the wishes of children living with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

The Make-A-Wish mission and message are about the life-affirming, hope-giving aspects of the wish experience.  We never use the words “terminal” or “dying” to refer to a Wish Child, nor do we unduly emphasize a child’s illness or medical treatment.  More than 70% of the Wish Children we serve in our area go on to live happy, productive, adult lives.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of America was founded in 1980 and has granted more than 250,000 wishes worldwide.

The Northeast New York Chapter was established in 1986 and grants 90 to 100 wishes each year.  It has granted more than 1,150 wishes since it was founded.  We serve the 15 counties that comprise the 518 area code.

To qualify for a wish, the child must be between the ages of 2 ½ and 18 years.  A child must be referred before his or her 18th birthday. A physician must certify that the child has a life-threatening medical condition.  There are no other qualifications.  There is no consideration given to a family’s financial status.

 

Typically children’s wishes fall into four categories: 

Occupation – “I Wish to Be” (e.g., a zookeeper, a disc jockey, a police officer)

Celebrity – “I Wish to Meet” (e.g., Pittsburgh Steelers, Derek Jeter, Paul McCartney)

Special Gift – “I Wish to Have” (e.g., computer, a backyard playset, a puppy)

Destination – ”I Wish to Go” (e.g., Hawaii, Walt Disney World® Resort, San Diego).

The average cost of a wish is $10,000, but can range from $3,500 to $25,000.  The Chapter is looking to raise $1,000,000 to grant 100 wishes this year.

The Chapter receives donations from individuals, businesses, corporations, philanthropic foundations, fundraisers and other programs.  We do not receive government funding of any kind.  Approximately 80% of every dollar donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York goes towards granting a local wish.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Foundation is a grassroots organization that depends on our volunteers to fulfill our mission.  We currently have over 200 volunteers that help us grant the wishes of children in the 518 area code.

There are many ways you can get involved in making wishes happen for our wish kids.  See below for a brief description of some of our current opportunities.

Outreach—distributes materials to doctor’s offices, hospitals, etc. in an effort to spread the word about what we do and whom we serve.  Possibly represent our organization at local health fairs.

Wish Granter—with another trained volunteer, Wish Granters meets with a qualified child to discover, plan, and fulfill the child’s one true wish.  Wish Granters commit their time to make the wish as unique as each child and a lasting memorable experience for each wish family.  Best suits volunteers with creative energy and enthusiasm and the ability commit the necessary time needed to fulfill a wish.   Requirements:  must be 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license, and attend a six hour training workshop.

Community Volunteer—occasionally throughout the year, helps at certain fundraising events such as our Adopt An Angel campaign, our Gala and Cruise-Ins.  Requirements:  dependability and smiling faces.

For more information about volunteering please contact Cindy Conley at 518-782-4673 or cconley@neny.wish.org.

Board Opportunities

The Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees.  The Trustees are charged with overseeing the affairs of the organization, setting policies and procedures, raising funds and other duties, to fulfill the mission of the Foundation.  Currently, there are openings on our Board of Trustees.  For more details, please contact Foundation Chief Executive Officer, William C. Trigg, III, Ph.D. at 782-4673 or wtrigg@neny.wish.org.

Organization Contact

William C. Trigg, III, Ph.D., Foundation Chief Executive Officer

For more information please visit our web site at www.neny.wish.org.