The annual Adopt-A-Wish Holiday Campaign, Make-A-Wish Northeast New York’s longest-running fundraiser throughout the 15 counties we serve, kicks off next month, featuring many of its familiar elements and returning Presenting Sponsor NYSCOPBA. The campaign also welcomes Star Sponsor Plug Power.

This campaign will mark the chapter’s 35 years of wish granting.

This year, stars featuring wish kid ambassadors — six from the Greater Capital Region and two from the North Country — will be sold for a single suggested donation amount of $5 per star.

Unique among the 58 Make-A-Wish America chapters, this vitally important fundraising campaign marking its 30th year runs through the holidays. For the fifth year it will include a Day of Wishes Telethon in partnership with CBS6 Albany and B95.5. The telethon will be held at Colonie Center, and run from noon to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8.

“The Adopt-A-Wish Holiday Campaign has endured into its fourth decade thanks to the generosity of the community we serve, from Columbia and Greene counties to Cobleskill through the Capital Region all the way to the North Country, ” Make-A-Wish Northeast New York CEO William C. Trigg, III, said.

Stars will be available at Crossgates Mall, Colonie Center, Wilton Mall, Aviation Mall, Wintertime Wonderland at Via Port Rotterdam and Champlain Centre, and various businesses and schools throughout the region. You will also be able to donate directly to the campaign via adoptawishneny.org.

You are invited to the kickoffs to this campaign on Tuesday, Nov. 15 at Champlain Centre and Thursday, Nov. 17 at Crossgates Mall. Both are at 5 p.m.

After training from our program team, Make-A-Wish Northeast New York proudly welcomed its new class of wish granters this past weekend. These volunteers will work directly with wish kids and families, helping to determine a child or teen's heartfelt wish, planning wish reveals and often serving as the frontline face of the chapter.

Simply, we could not fulfill our mission of creating life-changing wishes without a dedicated corps of volunteer wish granters. Welcome, class!

If you are interested in volunteering, contact Manager of Volunteer Engagement Jessica Liburdi at jliburdi@neny.wish.org or 518-456-9474.

For the month of October, Make-A-Wish Northeast New York will receive $1 from every $2.50 reusable shopping bag sold at the Hannaford Supermarket at 5239 Western Turnpike in Guilderland. Thank you Hannaford and its shoppers!

North Country: Elvis will be in the house for Make-A-Wish! Reservations for dinner and the show needed by Oct. 20; if you just want to see the show, make a reservation ... or just show up!

There are so many different groups of people who make up the Make-A-Wish community, from sponsors and volunteers to staff and donors.

But if our Adopt-A-Wish Holiday Campaign – which this year celebrates 35 years of wishes – reminds us of anything, it’s that our wish kids and teens are the stars of our universe.

In the Adopt-A-Wish Holiday Campaign, paper stars featuring wish kid ambassadors and their wishes are made available for a donation at malls, business and schools across the 15 counties we serve. It is not only one of the most vital fundraisers on our calendar but it's also the most enduring, observing its 30th anniversary this year.

The funds raised have a powerful impact on our ability to create life-changing wishes for children battling critical illnesses. More powerful are the stories behind these wish kid ambassadors and families, tales of resilience, fortitude, gratitude and so much more. These stories are both humbling and uplifting.

While wishes are intended to spark hope, strength and joy for wish kids and these families, our campaign ambassadors reflect these formidable attributes back to all those who come in contact with them and their stories. Think of that when you are in the mall this holiday season and you see our stars at a booth. You can help spread some joy … and receive some in return.

With immense gratitude,

Bill Trigg

CEO

Make-A-Wish Northeast New York