 | |
After Anthony went through the Workshop of Wishes and was told his wish to go to Walt Disney World® Resort would be granted, he was shown a video in which a worker from Disney’s Animal Kingdom told Anthony how much she was looking forward to his visit.
At one point, the 7-year-old from Niskayuna asked, “Is this real?”
Yes, Anthony, it is.
Anthony’s April trip to Disney was a first for him. But for Make-A-Wish Northeast New York, it’s the 2,000th wish since the chapter began granting wishes in 1987.
“This milestone is a powerful reminder of all the lives that have been impacted by the power of a wish over the years,’’ said Make-A-Wish Northeast New York CEO William C. Trigg, III. Trigg has been CEO since 2006, and has overseen more than half of the chapter’s 2,000 wishes to date.
“A wish, whether it be a trip to Disney, a backyard playset, meeting a celebrity or whatever else that can be conjured by a child’s imagination, is not just a nice thing to do for young person battling a critical illness,” Trigg continued. “A wish provides hope, strength, joy and confidence, and is a lifelong gift that can transform the lives of that child, their family, and even entire communities.”
| |
|
For National Volunteer Week and all that they do throughout the year, Make-A-Wish Northeast New York held a celebration for its volunteers at the Crowne Plaza Albany-The Desmond Hotel.
Awards were presented for 2022, Certified Child Life Specialist Mary Beth Nichols of Albany Medical Center spoke, and wish kid Giovanna and dad Bob from Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area, in town for a WWE event, attended.
Giovanna is a show stealer, but the stars were all our volunteers! CEO Bill Trigg called them the “artisans” who craft memorable wishes. Meanwhile, Manager of Volunteer Engagement Jessica Liburdi, herself a wish alum, praised these dedicated and compassionate people from two perspectives.
“As a wish kid almost three decades ago, I marveled that a stranger could come into my life and make my heartfelt wish come true,” she said. “As an adult, I am equally awed by the compassion and commitment you volunteers exhibit day after day dealing with our wish kids and families.”
| |
World Wish Day and 'Creating Hope' | |
|
In advance of tomorrow’s World Wish Day, revisit “Creating Hope: Celebrating World Wish Day with Madison VanDenburg,” a half-hour television special that aired last weekend on WRGB Ch, 6.
The special features VanDenburg, Make-A-Wish® Northeast New York CEO William C. Trigg, III, WRGB Ch. 6 meteorologist and frequent Make-A-Wish host Alyssa Caroprese and numerous Make-A-Wish wish kids. The show highlights the impact of wishes on children, families and communities, inspiring wishes stories, the chapter’s recent 2,000th wish and the story behind VanDenburg’s single “Bring On the Night,” inspired by Make-A-Wish.
“When we wrote this song, we had the Make-A-Wish Foundation in mind,” VanDenburg said. “I’ve had the honor to meet up with some of the children from Make-A-Wish, and they absolutely moved me by their strength. And I just wanted to create a song to show just how inspired I was by them.”
World Wish Day is April 29, marking the anniversary of the day in 1980 when Chris Greicius’ wish to become an Arizona police officer came true. That wish would lead to the formation of Make-A-Wish® America.
| |
Make Magic Happen with a Referral | |
|
It doesn't take a unicorn to bring magic to the life a child battling a critical illness. All it takes is a wish.
And a wish can start with you, and a referral.
Do you know of child who may be eligible for a wish? If so, click on the link below, or contact Manager of Medical Referral Outreach Abby Connor at aconnor@neny.wish.org or 518-456-9474.
| |
Walk with Me, Wish with Me | |
|
With just over 100 days until Make-A-Wish Northeast New York’s Walk For Wishes, NOW is the perfect time to register your team and start your fundraising! Registration is free, and raising only $100 will get you the coveted official 2022 Walk For Wishes T-shirt! Did you know that those who begin fundraising at least 90 days out raise three times as much as those who begin later? And every dollar you raise is helping to make local wishes come true for kids battling critical illnesses. Plus, there’s lots of fun to be had along the way!
Would your business like to become involved in the Walk For Wishes? This is a great event to build team morale and inspire your employees! Come learn more at our Walk For Wishes Corporate Breakfast at the Desmond Hotel on May 24 at 7:30 a.m. If interested, reach out to Director of Development Kirsten Broschinsky at kbro@neny.wish.org.
Sign up before June 1 to make sure you are included in the Team Captain Kickoff taking place in early June (date TBA)! Then get ready to kick things up a notch during our Team Week Challenge June 20-24!
Do you know a wish alumnus or a wish child that is interested in being an official Wish Star Ambassador for our Walk For Wishes? Nominate them today!
| |
A Time to Gather, and Celebrate | |
|
As Covid at last loosened its grip on society, we have been able grant more and more wishes, and properly celebrate these inspiring children and teens, as well as our Make-A-Wish mission.
Capping the celebrations was our 2,000th wish in early April. We have waited a long time to achieve this tremendous milestone! Our Mission Delivery Team of Abby Connor, Jessica Liburdi, Scott Liloia and Karen Dominguez has done a tremendous job in making the recent spate of wishes come true in stellar fashion.
It was also gratifying to welcome back 280 donors to our live 2022 Wish Gala in late March after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. It felt really, really, REALLY great to celebrate several inspiring wishes together in person, including the reveal of Drew’s wish to go to the WWE event in Texas last month. The celebration raised more than $300,000, helping to ensure our continued commitment to granting the wish of every eligible child in our chapter region.
And we will have so much more to celebrate in the weeks and months ahead, thanks to each and every one of you.
Thank you for sharing your time, talent and treasure to make life-transforming wishes come true for local children with critical illnesses. Together, we create hope and spread joy among our wish families and all who believe in “the power of a wish!”
With immense gratitude,
Bill Trigg
CEO, Make-A-Wish Northeast New York
| | | | |
