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Wishmaking Monthly
A Festive Month Lies Ahead
The next five weeks will see a series of in-person Make-A-Wish Northeast New York events that are vital to our mission of creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Whether you are a volunteer, a music fan, a golfer, a thrill seeker or just someone who likes to take a leisurely walk, the chapter has an event for you over the next 38 days. Check out what lies ahead:

Volunteer Celebration (Thursday): We love our volunteers! And for the first time since 2019, we get to show it in person at an appreciation event, at The Saratoga Winery in Saratoga Springs. Volunteers, please note there is still time to RSVP: Contact Ray Gawlak at rgawlak@neny.wish.org or 518-456-9474.

Wish Fest (Saturday): The fourth installment of St. Mary’s Hospital Presents Wish Fest, the community music festival in Amsterdam to benefit Make-A-Wish Northeast New York, will be held Saturday at Riverlink Park, and will be headlined by local recording artists Madison VanDenburg of “American Idol” fame and David J.

The Rock Junkies and the X-Squad Water Ski Show Team will also perform.

The festival, which kicks off at 2 p.m. Saturday, will also feature a variety of food, drink and attractions suitable for all ages. The day on the banks of the Mohawk River will be capped by a fireworks show.

Golf (July 21, July 31 and Aug. 12): There are three Make-A-Wish golf tournaments on the schedule in the coming weeks (with more on the schedule in the fall): The Naked Turtle Golf Tournament in Plattsburgh on July 21, the Robert Lee Walsh American Legion Post 337 Golf Tournament in Broadalbin on July 31 and the Play It Foreward Golf Tournament in Clifton Park on Aug. 12. Check the calendar for details.

Thrill-Seeker Saturday (July 24) — Wack's Ride and Wish Jump. Feel the roar of the road or streak through the sky in two of our signature fundraising events.

  • Wack's Ride, the largest motorcycle rally in the Tri-County region, will kick off at the Wayside in Hudson Falls and conclude at The Adirondack Bar & Grill in Queensbury. See above flyer for details.

  • Wish Jump, the only fundraiser of its kind among the 59 U.S. Make-A-Wish chapters, offers you a chance to skydive while raising funds for wishes. Intrigued? You have to be, no? For more information, go to wishjump.com.

This five weeks of fun and fundraising is capped by our main event:

Saturday Aug. 14
Make-A-Wish Northeast New York
Walk For Wishes


Our Walk For Wishes is slated for Aug. 14 at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in Troy. Participants are raising money right now — we have already topped $50,000! — but it's not too late to get involved.

This is an opportunity to share your story about how you impact Make-A-Wish, and how Make-A-Wish has changed you.

This is your chance to create hope for wish kids and families just when they need it most.

This is a great opportunity to bond with co-workers, a team-building exercise that makes a real-world difference.

It's also a whole lotta fun. Gather your team and register today.
Be a Superhero: Take that First Step
Even the most epic of superhero journeys begins with a single first step.

The first step of Darrin's Make-A-Wish journey was a referral. Do you know of a child like Darrin who may be eligible for a wish? To learn more or make a referral, visit wish.org/refer-a-child, or contact Manager of Medical Referral Outreach Abby Connor at 518-456-9474 or aconnor@neny.wish.org.
This is a Month to Celebrate and Advance Our Mission
When you are a nonprofit CEO, you are sometimes called upon to wear a suit — or even a tuxedo.

Neither are practical when you are jumping out of an airplane at 13,500 feet.

I will be doing that for the 10th summer in a row at Wish Jump, a fundraiser wholly unique to our chapter in the Make-A-Wish realm. It's fitting to note the event captures the essence of the Make-A-Wish mission in two distinct ways.

1) It's important. Like the many chapter events in the coming weeks, Wish Jump raises funds vital to creating wishes for children battling critical illnesses.

2.) It's fun. It is important to remember we are in the joy business.

That is the spirit behind all events we are hosting in the near future, whether they be fundraisers or a salute to our essential volunteers: Creating wishes — and joy — is our mandate.

Taken as a whole, our calendar serves as a celebration of the Make-A-Wish mission, as we showcase our good works to the community, while raising funds needed so more children can embark on their wish journeys.

I so look forward to seeing you this summer once again in person. Most of all, I want to personally say thank you for all that you have done and continue to do to brighten the lives of wish kids and families.

If you see me, come over and say "Hi." I will be the one not wearing a suit.

 
With immense gratitude,

Bill Trigg

CEO, Make-A-Wish Northeast New York