The Make-A-Wish mission is straight-forward and simply stated:
Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
It is a mission statement we live and breathe at Make-A-Wish Northeast New York, an ethos unaltered even by a pandemic. But over the past several months, as we have transitioned from our traditional live Gala to the uncharted territory of a Virtual Gala, I've pondered one word in that statement over and over:
Together ...
No, hundreds of us will not gather in formal attire and toast the power of a wish.
No, we will not assemble in a ballroom filled with giving people who are passionate about our mission.
Yes, going forward with an online version of a Gala, a first-time effort here (and one being replicated by other Make-A-Wish chapters), is fraught with challenges.
But with these challenges comes great opportunity.
The Make-A-Wish community is much larger than the several hundred people who can fit into a marbled hall. And the people who could be drawn to the Make-A-Wish mission by the power of social media is incalculable. (Please, in the days ahead, help us spread the word of the upcoming event.)
And this Gala is economically accessible to a wider range of people: It's free to "attend" (watch), and free to register for our wine/liquor pull, that great Walt Disney World raffle package, or bid on auction items.
Finally: Feel free to donate at whatever level you wish. This truly is a Gala For All.
More than 5
0 wishes are currently on hold here in our chapter. While
wishes may be on hold at the present time,
the
hopes and dreams of our wish kids are not! We will not let their hopes and dreams become a casualty of this pandemic
.
Our wish kids are relying on all of us to fulfill
the bright
,
shining hope of
their
upcoming wish
es.
Even though we won't convene as community as we've done at past galas, we will still meet the challenges ahead on the behalf of wish kids and families. And we'll do so the same way we've always done it:
Together.
With immense gratitude,
Bill Trigg
CEO, Make-A-Wish Northeast New York