Adopt-A-Wish Campaign Continues Creating Hope |
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Volunteers Still Needed
We are still looking for volunteers to fill shifts at area malls.
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!
Campaign Continues in Malls
The 29th annual campaign, unique among all 59 chapters in Make-A-Wish America, began nearly a month ago with kickoffs at Champlain Centre Mall Plattsburgh, followed by our opening in the Capital Region at Crossgates Mall. Paper stars featuring our wish ambassadors -- six in the Capital Region, two in the North Country -- are available at five area malls, select businesses and schools, and the dedicated website adoptawishneny.org.
We are selling stars at the malls through Christmas Eve. They make great decorations, thoughtful gifts and, most importantly, a difference in the lives of wish kids and their families.
Day of Wishes Telethon
Our Fourth Annual Day of Wishes Telethon at Colonie Center proved to be another success, as we hit our goal of raising $25,000 to go toward creating life-changing wishes for children battling critical illnesses. The telethon aired on CBS6-Albany with support from the Albany Broadcasting Co. radio stations, and was once again hosted by Alyssa Caroprese. Thank you to our sponsors, including Presenting Sponsor NYSCOPBA, and the volunteers from The Property Shop and Coldwell Banker Prime Properties who staffed our phone lines.
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Bill Trigg Honored as a
Capital Region Non-Profit Leader
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Make-A-Wish Northeast New York CEO William C. Trigg, III, and nine other local non-profit leaders were honored last week at The Capital Region Gives Back event at Putnam Place in Saratoga Springs, hosted by Saratoga Living and Capital Region Living magazines. The evening was a salute to non-profit work, recognizing those who are at the forefront of serving those in need in the community. |
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Giggles All Around at this Reveal |
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The giggling could be heard from an unseen Zavie, growing louder as he wound his way, and gained speed, down the corkscrew tubular slide.
Finally, he emerged, smiling and talking and still giggling as he hit the ground. The only word you could make out from what he was saying: Again.
There was a lot of smiling and giggling from the 3-year-old Make-A-Wish Northeast New York wish kid this perfect autumn afternoon as he explored his wish: An intricate backyard playset. Joining him in the joy were family members, including his twin 2-year-old sisters, Autumn and Meadow.
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Holiday Party Returns for Wish Kids |
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After a year’s hiatus, we were once again able to hold our annual Holiday Party for wish kids and families. Special thanks to Southwest Airlines, The Prescott Foundation, and The Hangar at 743 for jumping in and hosting this wonderful event with help from volunteers that included wish granters, wish alum, and CAPteens. A heartfelt thank you to all – including, of course, Santa! – who made the day special for our wish kids! And don’t you worry, Southwest is already making plans to return the annual Halloween Party next year! |
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Make-A-Wish Northeast New York is offering a Marketing & Communications internship for the spring 2022 semester, starting in January.
This for-credit-only position for college students features hands-on marketing and communications experience in a small-office setting, and will include writing, editing, social media, event planning, photography and other duties as assigned. In addition to Marketing & Communications, the selected student will gain experience within our Development and Programming departments.
If selected, the student will need to provide proof that:
• They will be receiving college credits (three or more), and;
• They are fully vaccinated, out of consideration to the populace Make-A-Wish deals with daily.
Please email a cover letter and up to three writing samples (preferably published) to Director of Marketing & Communications Mark McGuire at mmcguire@neny.wish.org.
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DID YOU KNOW .... you can can read all our current and back issues of Wishmaker and Wishmaking Monthly online? Just click this Publications link.
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NEW CLASS: Wish Coordinator Karen Dominguez (left) and Manager of Volunteer Engagement Ray Gawlak (right) welcome the new class of Make-A-Wish Northeast New York wish granters. This class joins the ranks of frontline volunteers who are the face of Make-A-Wish, the people who offer their time and talents to help craft unforgettable wishes for children battling critical illnesses. Simply, we could not fulfill our mission without them. Welcome, class, and best wishes as you embark on your Make-A-Wish journey!
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SANTA DOESN'T HAVE THE ONLY WORKSHOP THAT'S BUSY: Groups of Make-A-Wish Northeast New York wish granters have been touring our office Workshop of Wishes. When the Workshop opens, it will be a magical place where wish kids can contemplate and declare their wish. And, no, we are not showing all the bells and whistles: That is part of the surprise.
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Wishes Start with a Referral |
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Also remember that all wish journeys star the same way: with a referral. Do you know of a child who may be eligible for a wish? To learn more or make a referral, visit wish.org/refer-a-child, or contact Make-A-Wish Northeast New York Manager of Medical Referral Outreach Abby Connor at 518-456-9474 or aconnor@neny.wish.org.
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Write Your Santa Letters! |
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With a New Year, Renewed Hope |
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These past two years have been, well ... you know what these past two years have been.
All aspects of life have been impacted by the lingering pandemic, and Make-A-Wish Northeast New York has not been spared. Throughout these two years, we have continued to grant wishes thanks to the generosity of our donors, sponsors and volunteers like you. But certain wishes, particularly travel wishes, have had to be placed on hold. In the cases of international and cruise wishes, the hold remains indefinite.
But now with vaccines available to children as young as 5, we will see in the very near future more and more families heading off to dream destinations. We will return to our expected level of granting 90-100 wishes a year within the next two to three years, working diligently to grant those heartfelt wishes to children who have been forced to wait.
Thanks to your support through our Adopt-A-Wish Holiday Campaign and other avenues, we will have the means to fulfill our vision of granting a wish to every eligible child.
The coming year offers renewed hope for our wish kids and families. In fact, we look to 2022 as an opportunity to bring into sharper focus the importance of all of you in supporting our mission through these troubled times, sparking joy where it has been needed most. I thank you for being a positive and generous partner with us in creating hope for our wish families as we look to the year ahead. We cannot thank you enough.
From all of us at Make-A-Wish Northeast New York, I wish you and your loved ones a joyous holiday season and safe and healthy 2022.
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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