Show Who You Are in Our Walk For Wishes |
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When you take part in the Make-A-Wish Northeast New York Walk For Wishes® and raise funds vital to creating life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, we ask that you contemplate and share two transformative thoughts:
How Make-A-Wish impacts your life, and;
How you impact Make-A-Wish.
The power of a wish is wide and varied. It impacts wish kids and families, and donors, volunteers and other communities. It is not something that just happens. That power is created through the efforts of people like you.
Our Walk For Wishes is slated for Aug. 14 at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in Troy. Participants are raising money right now — but it's not too late to get involved. Form a team or join one today by clicking the link at the bottom of this story.
AND mark your calendar for the Walk For Wishes Team Week Challenge, starting Monday and lasting through Tuesday, July 6! (We extended it so you can tell everyone you know at your July 4 BBQ all about the Walk!)
Get ready for five days of recruitment and fundraising challenges, where you and your teammates can earn some great rewards for your fundraising efforts:
• Monday: Recruit five new team members.
• Tuesday: Update your personal fundraising page.
• Wednesday: Get the most online donations.
• Thursday: Have the highest percentage of team members fundraising - no $0 fundraisers here!
• Friday: Raise the most money online during team week.
You will receive an email with a daily challenge and how to earn points. At the end of the week, the teams with the most points will win! There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes! Make sure to watch your inbox closely so you don’t miss the fun!
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Summer's Here and the Time is Right ... For Events |
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After more than a year of virtual — if not canceled — events, the Make-A-Wish Northeast New York calendar is once again full of summer gatherings that meet a variety of interests while raising funds for wishes.
Want to golf? Got you covered and then some. How about a motorcycle rally? Check. Always wanted to try skydiving? Sure ... but if walking is more your speed, we offer that, too.
And they are all in person. We are sooooo looking forward to seeing folks in the extended Make-A-Wish family getting together again!
Let's start on July 10 with Wish Fest, the community music festival at Riverlink Park in Amsterdam. This will be a day and evening that offers live acts, food, music, fireworks and more, literally something for everyone of all ages.
Our next round of golf is July 21 in the North Country, but there are tournaments being held on the chapter's behalf throughout the summer and into the fall. To see them all, click the link at the bottom of the story.
On July 24, you can ride or fly in two of the signature events held to benefit local wish kids: the motorcycle rally Wack's Ride and the skydive Wish Jump.
After all those months locked up at home, this is the summer we should get out and have some fun — all for a great cause!
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A Virtual Gala Turns Hope into Reality |
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Our Make-A-Wish Northeast New York Hope-Shines Brightly Virtual Gala on June 10 did exactly what it set out to do: Raise the needed funds for life-changing wishes, and create hope for children with critical illnesses.
You did that. Thank you.
To date the Gala, held for the second year in a row online, raised nearly $150,000 for the mission. The chapter's first virtual Gala was held in June 2020, relatively early in the pandemic, amid much uncertainty. This year's event came as the nation began to emerge from the throes of COVID-19.
This year's Gala may prove to be the chapter's last virtual signature event. As always, we are hopeful.
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Connor Ready to Report for Duty |
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It got better: Not only did the officers give the 13-year-old a rundown of the inner workings of a squad car — and a ride, of course — but they surprised the teen with department gear, including a uniform(!), that he will need for his big day.
In addition to the large turnout by Schenectady P.D., the Scotia Police Department, family and wish granters Rob and Theresa Roemer were on hand to create a very special evening for Connor ahead of his wish. Thank you, all!
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Former Intern Richards Joins Staff |
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Margaret Richards, a former intern and volunteer with Make-A-Wish Northeast New York, has joined the chapter’s staff as administrative coordinator.
In her new role, the Kinderhook native will support the chapter’s internal operations, as well as fulfill other duties as assigned.
“During my internship I learned just how powerful a wish can be,” Richards said. “I truly appreciate the opportunity to join Make-A-Wish and be part of its life-changing mission.”
Richards served as a Development intern for Make-A-Wish Northeast New York in the fall of 2020, and as a volunteer this past spring. In May, she graduated from the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, where she was a Presidential Scholar and honors student. Richards was part of the Huntsman Scholar Program at the university, and received a prestigious scholarship awarded to top business students based on academic performance, leadership qualities, service engagement and commitment to the university’s principles.
“Margaret distinguished herself during her internship,” said William C. Trigg, III, CEO of Make-A-Wish Northeast New York. “She will bring great value to our team going forward.”
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A Single Word that Means So Much |
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One of the highlights of our Make-A-Wish Northeast New York Gala came early, when wish kid Allie captured what the evening — and a wish — is all about in a single word: "Hope."
Allie's hope began with a referral. Do you know of a child like Allie 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.
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ShopRite Does Right for Wish Kids |
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A spring fundraiser at the six ShopRite supermarkets in our chapter raised $13,800 for Make-A-Wish Northeast New York – more than enough to fund an entire wish!
Recently, Make-A-Wish Northeast New York CEO Bill Trigg (third from left) and Director of Development Kirsten Broschinsky (second from right) joined ShopRite staff at the Niskayuna ShopRite to accept the check. Niskayuna was the top-performing local store in the fundraiser: Kudos to store director Sean Doyle, and cashiers Sandy and Pamela, who each personally raised more than $1,000!!!
Next time you're in ShopRite, be sure to say "Thank You" on behalf of all wish kids and families!
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At Make-A-Wish, its Looking
Brighter Every Day
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The theme of our 2021 Wish Gala celebrated on June 10th was Hope Shines Brightly! And indeed, as the summer continues, we are hopeful!
First, the Wish Gala, although a virtual event for the second (and last) year in a row, generated nearly $150,000 for the chapter.
Second, we are putting the finishing touches on our Workshop of Wishes that will add a new dimension of wonder for our wish families as they embark on the Wish Journey.
Third, many of our summer external fundraisers, like the Kingsway Community Make-A-Wish Golf Tournament, Wish Fest, the 10th annual Wish Jump, and Wack’s Make-A-Wish Ride are back in grand style.
And fourth, domestic travel wishes by plane, train and bus will soon be returning.
Yes, hope does shine brightly. It shines brightly on our wish kids and their families. It shines brightly on our beloved volunteers who make the wish magic happen. It shines brightly on our generous donors like Shop-Rite Supermarkets, Curtis Lumber and many other businesses and individuals who fund the wish magic. And it shines brightly on our Board of Trustees and our professional team. All of these stakeholders continue to demonstrate a level of perseverance and commitment to seeing the mission fulfilled which even a terrible pandemic cannot diminish.
I extend our team’s gratitude to you for persevering with us to keep hope alive and well for our wish families and for each other. Together, we will continue to create a magical wish experience for every eligible wish child in our corner of New York State.
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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