Spark Joy! In-Person Gala Set For March 26 | |
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We are ready to return to (almost) normal, to reignite passion for the Make-A-Wish mission, and to Spark Joy!
The Make-A-Wish Northeast New York Spark Joy! Gala will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at the Hall of Springs in Saratoga Springs. Seating will be limited to 300, and proof of vaccination will be required for those attending, but otherwise we are returning to the Gala with the vital purpose you have grown to love.
There will be our live and silent auctions, fine dining, and music and dancing thanks to Grand Central Station! You will hear much more in the coming weeks – and expect a few surprises on Gala Night!
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Meanwhile, we are gathering wish kid art and wish family offerings for the Gala. Wish kids are invited to draw, paint, color, sculpt, sew, or offer whatever type of artistic talent they want to share. We’ll include your masterpiece in our Gala auction! Wish kids of ALL ages are invited to participate!
Additionally, we invite wish families who own a small business, are artisan crafters or have special opportunities they can offer to reach out. We’d love to include you in our Gala, too.
Finally, if you are a business owner and would like to offer a product, experience or gift card, we would love to hear from you!
If you are interested in participating, please reach out to Director of Development Kirsten Broschinsky at kbro@neny.wish.org.
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Historic Hire: Liburdi New Manager of Volunteers | |
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Jessica Liburdi, a wish alum and wish granter, has been named the new manager of volunteer engagement for Make-A-Wish Northeast New York.
Liburdi is the first wish child to be later hired by Make-A-Wish Northeast New York since its formation in 1987, according to chapter records. Her wish came nearly three decades ago.
“As a wish child, volunteer and now staff member, Jessica embodies and embraces Make-A-Wish,” chapter CEO William C. Trigg, III, said. “Not only is she steeped in our culture and mission, but she has the relevant professional experience that will allow her to excel in her new role.”
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Make-A-Wish Northeast New York wish kid Noella dashed into her new bedroom especially designed for her, made her way to the corner and silently took it all in.
And there was a lot for the 8-year-old to take in.
Noella is primarily non-verbal, but grew excited the more she explored her new room. (The room originally belonged to her older sister, Lilian, who gave it up for a smaller bedroom.) Finally, she let out an excited “Oh, man” – much to the delight of her family.
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Thank you, Jen! We bid farewell to our development manager and unofficial ambassador of joy Jen Cullen, who departs for New York and Disney Theatrical. Jen, our liaison to schools and outside fundraising organizers among so many other duties, brought professionalism and batches of delight wherever she went. Thank you, Jen, and good luck! | |  |
WE HAVE A NEW INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT. PLEASE FOLLOW! Due to circumstances beyond our control, we were compelled to create a new Instagram account for the chapter. So please visit and follow @makeawish_neny today! | | |
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Make-A-Wish Northeast New York wish kid Nola is loving her new playroom makeover wish in her Cambridge home. The wish granters were Jesse and Russell Matteson. Enjoy, Nola!
Nola's wish was sponsored by Cole's Collision Centers. And we would like to thank Curtis Lumber Co, Inc., Siberian Home Improvements, Elana Frankel, Discount Flooring Supermart and Superior Co-Op HVAC, as well as Gretchen Holt Witt and Jesse Matteson.
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One Wish, Two Kids,
One Referral
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Abby and her twin sister, Charlotte, excitedly bounded into the Make-A-Wish Northeast New York offices and its Workshop of Wishes. They were there for Abby’s wish reveal, but really this wish to go to Sesame Street Land™ at SeaWorld Orlando® is for both siblings soon to turn 6.
“That’s the way we are viewing it,” wish dad Paul said. “We see it as a wish for both girls.”
Both twins are giddy thinking about all the Orlando resorts have to offer, including Walt Disney World® Resort. They love Mickey and Minnie, and the Sesame Street characters.
But now they also love — really love — Thingamajig.
They were introduced to Thingamajig — the magical Workshop of Wishes contraption that announces to a child their wish will be granted — by storyteller Eloise Honeywell. With animated wish alums looking on from picture frames on each side, the sisters not only laughed at the whirring, blinking cabinet, but began conversing with it.
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Before the Wish, a Show — and a Wish Referral
Wish kid Jackie expressed shock at Macy's when learning her wish to go to Walt Disney World® Resort would be granted, and that she'd first be the star of her own fashion show and get to keep her favorite ensembles. (Thanks, Macy's!)
Before all that came a referral. Do you know of a child who may be eligible for a wish? If so, visit https://wish.org/refer-a-child, or contact Manager of Medical Referral Outreach Abby Connor at aconnor@neny.wish.org.
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Thank You, Metzwood
Metzwood Insurance President Matthew Wood and Customer Service Representative Jamie Leader (center r., l.), present a check for $5,000 to the chapter, fulfilling a pledge the company made for our 2021 Walk For Wishes. Thank you, Metzwood!
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Beatles Had it Right: All You Need is Love | |
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I have often wondered why, given our wonderful mission, we don’t see the word “love” used more to describe what we do. We talk about providing “hope, strength and joy” and “creating hope” and “sharing the power of a wish,” but we never talk about what undergirds the motivation of every person who has ever worked for or volunteered with Make-A-Wish: LOVE.
Why is that? Are we afraid that admitting that we love this mission and the work we all do to create magical wish experiences for our wish kids and families will be misconstrued in some way? Do we avoid admitting the love we have for our wish families because it could mean we are getting too emotionally attached to those we serve?
I hope not, because then we would be doing ourselves a huge disservice. We have no reason to doubt the sincerity of our own motivations to serve our wish families who are hurting and need our comfort, our compassion, and yes, even our ability as wish granters and donors to make a magical difference in their lives when they could use a little (or a lot of) magic. It’s what we do at Make-A-Wish, and we do it very well.
Let’s celebrate the joy, the hope and especially the love we share as members of the Make-A-Wish family. We really do have a lot to share … and a lot to be thankful for.
With immense gratitude,
Bill Trigg
CEO, Make-A-Wish Northeast New York
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