Hope Shines Brightly, a Success Thanks to You, and More ...

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Wishmaking Monthly

Hope Shines Brightly

For New Year

Periodically, people will stop by our office bearing gifts for our chapter and Make-A-Wish wish kids and families.

People such as Brian Montgomery, who along with his National Weather Service Albany co-workers decided that instead of a workplace holiday party, they would donate $225 to Make-A-Wish Northeast New York.

And Alexander Eldridge, a kindergartener at Lake George Elementary School. He presented us 170 letters to Santa he collected from classmates as part of the Macy’s Believe Campaign to benefit Make-A-Wish-America.

And Spiridhon, a third grader from Guilderland, who determined he wanted to donate something to wish kids, so he brought over a bag of new toys and games.

These simple yet profound acts of generosity and kindness are in part why, even in these darkest of times, hope shines brightly for our mission.

The tumultuous year that was 2020 is behind us, but not the challenges that surfaced last March, when our world was upended by the coronavirus pandemic. Travel wishes remain on hold, and our ability to hold fundraising events continues to be hindered — as evidenced by our upcoming April Wish Gala being virtual for the second year in a row.

Yet thanks to our supporters, our volunteers, our donors — you — we persevere. An example: Despite a plethora of hurdles, we met and exceeded our goal for our Adopt-A-Wish Holiday Campaign. The desperately needed funds will go toward granting wishes — wishes we can grant right now, and the flood of wishes we will be able to grant when the pandemic is brought to heel.

And, to be sure, these trying times will end. We all can see the light emerging through the darkness. That’s because, thanks to you, hope shines brightly.

With immense gratitude,

Bill Trigg

CEO, Make-A-Wish Northeast New York

Thanks to You, Adopt-A-Wish Holiday Campaign a Success

Thank you!

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Did we say thanks? Then ... thanks!

Despite the pandemic that limited mall traffic, and our ability to recruit volunteers and fundraise in schools, Make-A-Wish Northeast New York raised more than $200,000 in our Adopt-A-Wish 28th annual Adopt-A-Wish Holiday Campaign, far exceeding our goal! We are approaching what we raised in 2019.

So how did this happen?

A stunning third annual Day of Wishes telethon, in which we raised $41,760, including more than $25,000 in day of donations. Those totals eclipsed the first two telethons combined.

And area businesses, both employers and employees, stepping up to contribute far more than we expected.

There was Trustco Bank not only serving as a Presenting Sponsor, but its branches selling more than $20,000 in stars, more than last year.

And Beekman 1802, in addition to sponsoring two wishes this year, contributing a $10,000 donation to the campaign.

And Wish Champion Sponsor NYSCOPBA, sponsors PhRMA, Glens Falls National Bank, Alpin Haus, The Property Shop, and Coldwell Banker Prime Properties, and Day of Wishes match donors, including Chris and Christine Edwards, Ayco and other anonymous donors.

"There were many factors that went into the success of the campaign. What is clear is we could not do what we do without all our stakeholders being invested in and contributing to our mission," Make-A-Wish Northeast New York CEO William C Trigg, III, said. "That's what we saw here: The Make-A-Wish community rallying to overcome challenges and obstacles to ensure we can continue to create life-changing wishes."

Once more: We thank you.

Siena Students Ace Fundraising Test

When the Siena Wishmakers on Campus group could not hold its traditional fundraisers for Make-A-Wish Northeast New York because of the pandemic, the college students decided to launch their first-ever virtual campaign, hoping to raise $1,000.

The group hit its goal ... in under an hour!

Then the students kept going, and going, and ... did not stop until it had raised more than $5,000! Great job, Saints!

Read Story

A Wish Begins with a Referral

This is 10-year-old Make-A-Wish Northeast New York wish kid Brandon enjoying his recently granted wish, a new playset, outside his Plattsburgh home.

Too cold? Are you kidding? Look at the joy on his face.

Do you know of a child like Brandon 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.

Save These Dates: Gala and Walk

We hope you mark your calendars with the dates for two of our signatures events happening in the coming months.

The first is our Hope Shines Brightly Virtual Gala, slated for 7 p.m. Thursday, April 8. You will be hearing a lot more details about this evening, which will feature live and pre-recorded elements, including our signature auction.

And you can be part of that auction. We are gathering wish kid art and wish family offerings for our annual Gala. Wish kids are invited to draw, paint, color, sculpt, sew, or whatever type of artistic talent they want to share. We’ll include your masterpiece in our auction! Wish kids of ALL ages are invited to participate!

Additionally, we would like to invite wish families who own a small business, are artisan crafters of some type or have special opportunities that they can offer for the Gala to reach out. We’d love to include you in our Gala. Wish kid and wish family items were ALL THE RAGE during our 2020 Virtual When Stars Align Gala!

Finally, if you are a business 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 or Development Manager Jen Cullen at jcullen@neny.wish.org for more information!

Looking ahead to summer, our 2021 Walk For Wishes is slated for Saturday, Aug. 14, at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium. Think good thoughts of bringing the Make-A-Wish family together again in person by then.

Look for more details and events to be announced!

This Store is Open at All Hours

The holidays are over, but that doesn't mean there aren't gifts to buy (even for yourself). And you can support Make-A-Wish doing it!

Head on over to our Wish Store and peruse our Make-A-Wish Northeast New York-branded gear, thanks to our partner, Wicked Smart, LLC.

Be sure to check back time to time as items will rotate throughout the year!

We Leave You With a Little Bit of Ginger

You need this. ...

Make-A-Wish Northeast New York wish kid Ryan, along with mom Stephanie and dad Mike, recently welcomed a new member of the family: Ryan's wish, Ginger! The puppy arrived at her new home just in time for Ryan's 14th birthday.

Special thanks to Healthy Pet Center of Delmar, NutriSource Pet Foods, Orchard Pups and The Village Animal Clinic for helping make Ryan's wish happen!