Beginning this fall, and continuing through the holiday season, we have many ways that you can help move our mission forward. We invite you to join us as we spend the next few months expressing gratitude, reaching out to the community and raising necessary funds to grant the wish of every eligible child!
Semi-Annual Thank-A-Thon
Join us from Oct. 18–31 as we try to reach out to as many donors as we can to simply share a heartfelt “Thank You.” We could not do all that we do without the donors who ensure we have the funds to make wishes happen! This is our chance to express our gratitude!
We’re looking for volunteers to come to our office during the evenings of Oct. 18-21 to make calls. We are also looking specifically for wish granters and wish families willing to make calls! There are some remote options available. If interested, please contact Development Manager Jen Cullen at jcullen@neny.wish.org or call 518-456-9474.
Adopt-A-Wish Holiday Campaign
It’s that time of year: We’re ready to start scheduling volunteers to help with the 29th annual Adopt-A-Wish Holiday Campaign. We are looking for volunteers to fill shifts at area malls.
These volunteer shifts serve two very important purposes: 1) Educating the public about the mission of Make-A-Wish! Share your own story – or share one of the stories provided to help our community learn about the Power of a Wish! And; 2) Sell stars that feature local wish ambassadors to raise funds to grant local wishes.
This campaign involves hundreds of volunteers who work together, raising funds $1 at a time, one that resulted in more than $200,000 raised in 2020! That’s the power of working together! We hope you’ll join us this year. Online signups for each mall can be found here.
Would your business or organization like to be involved in the campaign? What about your local school? We’d love to chat with you about the opportunities for schools, business, clubs and organizations to get involved in the campaign. Please reach out to Director of Development Kirsten Broschinsky at kbro@neny.wish.org or Development Manager Jen Cullen at jcullen@neny.wish.org or call 518-456-9474 for more information!
Join the Adopt-A-Wish Holiday Hero Challenge!
In the coming months, we will celebrate the 2,000th wish granted by our chapter! In anticipation of that celebration, we are seeking Wish Heroes to accept the Holiday Hero Challenge to raise $2,000 in honor of the 2,000 wish kids and families whose lives have been forever changed by a wish. As a hero you will get your own page and lots of support to help you be successful as you reach out to friends, family, co-workers, and anyone else you know to tell them why wishes matter and how they can be a part of the power and magic of a wish! If you’re up for the challenge, please contact Director of Development Kirsten Broschinsky at kbro@neny.wish.org or call 518-456-9474.
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New Wish Granter Training Set For Nov. 6 |
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These volunteers are the face of Make-A-Wish Northeast New York, the ones who first meet with wish kids and families, the people who help craft wishes and wish reveals that create hope and a lifetime of memories.
They are wish granters. The chapter counts roughly 150 of these volunteers among our ranks – and we want YOU to join them.
The chapter will be holding in-person training for new wish granters on Saturday, Nov. 6, at the chapter's office at 3 Washington Square in Albany. The training is slated to begin at 9 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. If you are interested in this absolutely vital and rewarding volunteer opportunity, please contact Manager of Volunteer Engagement Ray Gawlak at rgawlak@neny.wish.org or 518-456-9474 for more information or to register.
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Make-A-Wish Northeast New York wish kid Colton poses in front of his wish: a new backyard playhouse. But this playhouse is like few others, customized just to the 12-year-old’s liking, from the unique colors outside to the elevated height to accommodate a loft and ladder inside. There is also an electrical column, a rear-wall work counter and much more – examples why this playhouse really works! |
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Tech Valley Charity Golf Aces Return |
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After a year's hiatus, the Tech Valley Charity Golf Tournament returned to the prestigious Saratoga National Golf Club. The 12th annual installment, which featured 168 golfers, raised more than $110,000 for the chapter! Special thanks to presenting sponsor Banner Industries and all the sponsors: You all made a difference in the lives of wish kids and families.
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Coldwell Banker Prime Properties
Tees Up Wishes
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The executives and employees of Coldwell Banker Prime Properties love to step up – and tee off – for Make-A-Wish Northeast New York. In September, the company held its annual Albany Region Golf Tournament at Van Patten Golf Club to benefit the chapter. Look for Coldwell Banker Prime Properties volunteers to be out in force for our Adopt-A-Wish Holiday Campaign.
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It's No Trick: The Treat of a Wish
Starts with a Referral
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For her wish, Laney went to to Walt Disney World® Resort – not for the princesses, but to celebrate Halloween. Yes, each wish can be that individual.
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Make-A-Wish Northeast New York wish families, Board of Trustees members, volunteers and staffers will be making hundreds of phone calls between Oct. 18 and Oct. 31, all giving the same message: Thank You.
You might be getting one if you donated to the chapter over the past year.
It's all part of our Thank-A-Thon. From time to time, we like to reach out to donors of all levels – not to ask for more, but just to personally say how much you mean to us and especially wish kids and their families.
No, we will not be asking you for money. Make-A-Wish never asks for money over the phone. (If you ever get such a call, report it to us and your local authorities: It's fraud.)
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We Can't Say Thank You Enough
(But We'll Keep Trying)
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If you are a regular reader of our monthly e-newsletter, you may have noticed I sign off each of these messages the same way: "With immense gratitude."
Those three words are appropriate, yet in some ways fail to capture the profound appreciation we have for each and every one of you who contribute to the Make-A-Wish mission.
In the story above, you will see we are holding one of our regular Thank-A-Thons, in which we call donors not to ask for funds, but just to say thank you. This simple act – saying thank you in a personal call from a wish family, volunteer, or Board of Trustees or staff member – is vitally important to us. We think it is essential that every member of the Make-A-Wish community to which you belong realizes how important you are to our mission.
And you are. Every time you see a photo of a beaming wish kid, every time you see a video of an overjoyed child at a wish reveal, every time you see an uplifting Make-A-Wish story on the news or in social media, realize that you created that hope, strength and joy. You made that possible.
That is why we can't say thank you enough.
And that is why I leave you with this, and not for the last time:
With immense gratitude,
Bill Trigg
CEO, Make-A-Wish Northeast New York
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Make-A-Wish Northeast New York
3 Washington Square
Albany, NY 12205
(518) 456-9474
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