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Wishmaking Monthly
Stars Aligning for March 28 Gala
Sponsorships and tickets are available for the 22nd annual Make-A-Wish ® Northeast New York Wish Gala, to be held Saturday, March 28, at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs. 

The Make-A-Wish Gala coincides with the 40th anniversary of Make-A-Wish ® America. It will be a night to celebrate all the wishes that have been granted, with the opportunity to grant more, embodying this year's theme, " When Stars Align ." 

As one of the largest single-night charity fundraisers in the region, we hope to see you there to be a part of an eventful night that will include silent and live auctions as well as musical entertainment by Grand Central Station. Don't miss out on a night of wish granting, fine dining and fun!
Walk for Wishes ® Set for Aug. 1
Walk for Wishes has been slated for this year on Saturday, Aug. 1, at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in Troy, home of the Tri-City ValleyCats. The walk will begin at 10 a.m.

Join us for a day full of family-friendly fun all while raising funds for future wishes. Be apart of the celebration of more than 300,000 fulfilled wishes alongside wish families, volunteers, companies, donors and friends.

Sign up today and start building your team!
Olivia's Wish Worth the Wait
"She was waiting for the limo to come," mom Kellie said. "She was there for a good 30 minutes."

The whole family shared the anticipation until Olivia would be able to fulfill her Make-A-Wish Northeast New York wish to visit Walt Disney World ® Resort .

The family felt relieved to be able to indulge in the fun the week was certain to bring.

“It allowed us to focus on something exciting and happy without stress. Looking forward to Olivia’s trip brought our family together in excitement and joy,” Kellie said.
Win Stay at Famous Mirror Lake Inn
A raffle to stay at a world-famous Lake Placid resort highlights the second annual "Ski For Wishes," to be held March 15 at Whiteface Mountain.

A limited number of raffle tickets are available for a three-day, two-night stay at the Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid, owned by the Weibrecht family. Also included in the raffle prize is the chance to ski privately with three-time Olympian and two-time Olympic medalist Andrew Weibrecht.

More? Sure: The package also includes a a pair of Head Skis and Tyrolia bindings.

Tickets are $25 each and five for $100. The raffle drawing will take place the day of the event at Whiteface and you need not be present to win. Proceeds benefit the chapter.

The raffle is part of a very special North Country day that benefits both the chapter and skiers.

The event also offers the opportunity to receive a half-price lift ticket at Whiteface in return for a $10 donation to the chapter that can be made at the ticket window. In addition, up to 50 skiers will have the unique opportunity to ski and learn race techniques from Weibrecht, a Make-A-Wish Northeast New York Trustee.

Make-A-Wish Northeast New York is thankful to its sponsors for this event created by Weibrecht: Alpin Haus Ski Shops; NBT Bank; Capital District Physicians Health Plan (CDPHP); Whiteface Mountain; Mirror Lake Inn and Head Skis.

To purchase raffle tickets, register for the ski event, volunteer or learn more, contact us at (518) 456-9474.
Sign Up Now for Special GKTW Training
Make-A-Wish America chapters from throughout the Northeast as well as volunteers will be hosted in late April by Make-A-Wish Northeast New York for regional training by Give Kids the World Village ® .

Amy McClintock, Director of Mission Delivery and Outreach at GKTW, alongside Make-A-Wish America representatives will be hosting the special training session. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the unique resort utilized by Make-A-Wish families visiting Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios and other area attractions in Florida.

Presentations to chapter staffs will be on April 24, and to wish granters April 25. Space is limited to only 130; wish granters and are strongly urged to attend in person or via video conference call. Participation is free, so don't miss out on this opportunity!
Volunteers: Let Us Show You Our Appreciation
Please join us this spring as we salute the outstanding work of Make-A-Wish Northeast New York volunteers. This year’s volunteer appreciation event will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6 , at the Saratoga Winery . Adding to the festivities, the celebration will feature a performance by American Idol sensation Madison VanDenburg , who will also headline Wish Fest on July 11.

Please RSVP by Friday, April 24. Hope to see you there, and thank you for all that you do for wish kids and families! 
Cole's Liverpool Wish a Great Match
Following up on Cole's wish reveal in November, his wish was fulfilled with a dream trip to watch his favorite soccer team, Liverpool, at their home pitch at Anfield, England. To make things more exciting, Cole was able to be a part of the authentic Kopite fan experience by watching Liverpool play against their rivals, Manchester United.

Cole and his family watched the captivating game in January, and were left with the satisfaction of seeing their Reds win 2-0, leaving them undefeated on the season.

"This experience has been breathtaking," Cole said. "Their determination to grant this wish has been awe-inspiring."
UAlbany Interns Aiding Mission
Make-A-Wish Northeast New York welcomes two new interns for the semester, Stephanie Borrero (Marketing and Communications) and Liam Duell (Development). Both are seniors at the University at Albany and like previous interns will be fulfilling vital roles in our mission of creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Welcome Stephanie and Liam!

Are you or someone you know interested in getting involved with Make-A-Wish Northeast New York? Get in touch with us to see what opportunities are available.
Getting in Shape for a Great Cause
Thank you to Mary Carey for organizing yet another highly successful Zumba fundraiser in Hudson earlier this winter for  Make-A-Wish Northeast New York , and to all who participated. You raised more than $2,600!

It's local volunteer organizers like Mary and others who put on events that raise funds that are vital in granting life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Thank you to all for your dedication.
Sponsors Are More than Just a Logo
At Make-A-Wish, we talk about the different communities that are vital to the wish experience.

Of course, it all starts with our wish kids and their families. They are at the heart of everything we do.

Then there are the volunteers, from wish granters to those who staff booths at events and malls. The medical community, donors and staff are equally critical.

There is another community: Business sponsors. You may think of them only as a company, or simply as a logo. But behind that logo are people, more often than not neighbors from right here in the 518 and 838 area codes, who are passionate about our mission. These sponsors not only give money but often mobilize their workforce, adding to the ranks of essential volunteers.

As Make-A-Wish America marks its 40th anniversary this year, we will celebrate our mission of creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses with our annual Wish Gala on March 28 at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs. The theme, "When Stars Align," illustrates how it takes a wide range of people to make a wish a reality.

At the Gala and elsewhere you will see sponsors' logos displayed. Please always remember they are more than that. They are our neighbors -- and our friends.

Sincerely,

Bill Trigg,  CEO, Make-A-Wish Northeast New York