News - May 2009
Dear Friends,
We are fortunate to have the opportunity to serve our area’s most seriously ill children by giving them a gift they never knew to ask for -- granting their one heartfelt wish with the promise of hope, strength and joy. Behind the scenes, it takes an endless supply of in-kind and charitable donors, trained volunteers, and a small staff to keep the process effective and efficient. It also takes a most compassionate central and south Texas community.
We invite you to consider being a part of the many wonderful things that are currently happening at the Make-A-Wish Foundation®. Whether granting the wishes for the children, volunteering, or donating to this pure and simple charity, we count on your involvement now and throughout the year to achieve success. Gather your family, friends, and colleagues to visit our pending wish list for dozens of reasons how you can make a difference in a child’s life when they most need it.
Thank you for your support,
Joanna Linden
President & CEO
New Wishes – Share the Power of a Wish®
The Adopt-A-Wish® program was created to allow individuals and groups a chance to play a significant and very personal role in the Make-A-Wish® process. An individual, company, employee group, professional or civic club, or group of friends can adopt a wish and use this experience as a team building or bonding opportunity. The average cost to grant the wish of a child is $5,000; however, we gratefully accept donations in any amount to apply towards granting wishes.
As wish adopters, you can be as active in the wish as you'd like. You can meet your special Wish Child. You can see them off at the airport or be part of the team that delivers that computer they've been dreaming about. You can make magic happen in the life of a child who hasn't been feeling very magical lately. You will get to see your charitable dollars at work. You will feel the true joy of giving. You will make a dream come true.
Would you or someone you know consider sharing in the power of a wish? Please contact Scott Crews, Director of Development, to make a difference in the lives of the children we serve.
For a list of the current pending publicity-eligible wish kids awaiting their one heartfelt wish, view our pending wishes page. This list does not represent all pending wish children. We have over 50 children whose wishes are yet to be identified.
Thank you to the following donors for their donations to adopt current pending wishes: Employees Community Fund of Boeing, Valero Energy, Emerson Process Management & Mr. Edwin Cooper.
In-Kind Donations of Good or Services for Wishes
If you, your group or your company wish to help donate products/services for a particular wish, please contact Scott Crews at (512)329-9474 or (800)880-9474 for the status of this wish and to begin discussing ways to help.
Make-A-Wish News & Events
You can support the chapter through registering, voting, or donating points through the following programs listed below and still help the Foundation raise funds and grant wishes with in-kind donations. View the event calendar for more details.
- Through December 31, 2009: Show your Support of the LATISSETM Wishes Campaign
- Ongoing: Randall’s Good Neighbor Program - #257 for Make-A-Wish
- Ongoing: Frequent Flier Miles Donations
July 22, 2009: Advancement & Outreach Council, Austin
Where Make-A-Wish enthusiasts come together as friends of the Foundation and help meet the needs through their contacts in the community and experience a personal story of one of our wish families. Interested in attending the next A&O Progress Party on July 22, 2009? Contact Scott Crews at 512-329-9474 to RSVP.
Saturday, July 25, 2009: General Volunteer Orientation & Wish Granter Training, San Antonio
We will be offering a General Volunteer Orientation from 9am – 10am followed by Volunteer Wish Granter Training from 10am – 12pm in San Antonio . Volunteers work in our office, at our events, sometimes attending presentation as a representative of Make-A-Wish, and of course as Wish Granters, helping with the child’s wish process. General Volunteer Orientation is required for all volunteers. Volunteer Wish Granter Training is an optional training offered to volunteers who want to be involved with granting Wishes. Contact Charity Bracamontes for more information or to RSVP.
Make-A-Wish Thanks
- Manor ISD sets Kids for Wish Kids record. Under the leadership of Superintendent Rusty Wallace and teacher Julie Duffield, Manor ISD has raised over $25,000 through our Kids for Wish Kids Program. Congratulations Manor ISD for outstanding district wide participation! We wish to thank Manor ISD for bringing hope, strength and joy to so many children with serious medical conditions.
- Thank you to the Junior League of Austin for selecting the Foundation as a placement agency for volunteerism and funding.
- Thank you to our Advancement & Outreach Council Progress Party sponsors: Diane Denney of Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille in Austin and Patrick Richardson of Silo’s Elevated Cuisine & Bar in San Antonio for underwriting our Regional A&O Progress Parties.
Please check the events calendar for more upcoming events and volunteer needs.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is proud
to be a program of the Junior League of Austin. We are honored as a Placement Agency for JLA Volunteers, and a grant recipient!
Thank you Junior League of Austin for your support!