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ESPN's 2008 MY WISH Series!!!
Click on logo for direct link to MY WISH series stories!
The award-winning "My Wish" series will return for the third consecutive year to ESPN SportsCenter from June 29-July 3. The series will feature five children with life-threatening medical conditions who live out their sporting wishes with the help of well-known athletes. The Make-A-Wish Foundation, ESPN and Disney collaborated again to bring these wish stories to SportsCenter viewers. Hosted by Emmy Award-winning reporter Chris Connelly, each segment features interviews with the wish child and family, the challenges of coping with a life-threatening illness and a behind-the-scenes look at the wish fulfilled.
Ian Wished to HAVE a
Train Station Themed Playhouse!
 
Ian, is a 3 ½ year old boy from Grand Island, NY who is diagnosed with Neuroblastoma - a life-threatening medical condition that caused partial paralysis. Ian’s love for trains helped him cope with the daily hassles of medications and frequent doctor visits. With the help of the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Western New York, Ian received his wish to have the absolute coolest train station themed playhouse in his very own back yard! The custom made train station was designed and built by TaRico Bros Construction and sponsored by WNY Allstate Agent Dave Bielski and his wife Kim.
Ian enjoys chocolate chip cookies, playing with trains, and watching Thomas the Tank Engine on television.
Click HERE for the Buffalo News story
Click HERE for a link to WIVB's Lorey Schultz's feature
 
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western New York grants 1,500th wish!
 
Kaitlyn, from Lake View, NY received the surprise of a lifetime when her wish to HAVE a basement makeover came true!
Click on the left photo for the story from WGRZ - TV Channel 2 and the right photo for a story from the Buffalo News.
Former Sabres' players Rick Martin and Rene Robert surprise girl with Leukemia in her new Sabres themed basement, courtesy the Make A Wish Foundation. After months of chemotherapy, the Acute Lymphatic Leukemia which Kaitlyn Schneider was first diagnosed with two years ago appears to be in remission. Now 13, the Lakeview girl still takes medication and is subject to frequent doctor visits. She is also a huge Buffalo Sabres hockey fan.
The Make A Wish Foundation of Western New York helped her realize her dream of having a "Sabres Themed" game room with an entire makeover of a section of the basement in the family's Shoreham Drive home. It is painted blue and gold and has a section of floor made to look like an ice hockey surface, complete with a red and blue line embossed on milky white tile. There are also lockers for Kaitlyn and her three siblings, a full sized hockey goal and an air hockey table.
The new digs were unveiled during a party held in Kaitlyn's honor, but the real surprise was the appearance of two gentlemen whom she had not been told were on the guest list. Kaitlyn was delighted to find Sabres' legends Rick Martin and Rene Robert sitting on a basement couch when she walked in. The two were members of the Sabres' famed French Connection line of the early 1970's.
It's our privilege to be here," said Robert. "They're not asking for money, only a bit of your time. And if you can't give that you're not a good citizen."
Posted by: Dave McKinley, WGRZ-TV2 Reporter
Thank you to TaRico Brothers Construction, Lou Billittier and Chef's, Jewelers for Children, Rene Robert and Rick Martin for helping to share the power of a wish!
View Story
Ryan Miller Helps Grant Wish
 
Tony Izzo, 10, says he's the Sabres' number one fan. When the Make-A-Wish Foundation asked him what he wanted for his wish, it's no surprise he chose to meet the team and his favorite player, Ryan Miller.
On Friday, November 30th, Tony and his family arrived at HSBC arena in a limo and watched the Sabres practice. Afterwards, they got to meet and take pictures with Ryan Miller.
Tony suffers from Mitochondrial disease, which affects his brain and organ functions, but his daily medications and treatments can't dampen his spirit and sense of humor.
Tony's exciting weekend continued Saturday night when he headed back to HSBC Arena to watch the game from a suite. The Sabres say they have a very special surprise in store for Tony before the game. Click here for complete details from the Buffalo Sabres website INCLUDING a MUST SEE video link!!
Click here to watch WGRZ-TV2 Reporter Heather Ly's story and to see Tony's Rick Jeannerette impression!
13th Annual 97 Rock Make-A-Wish® Radio-thon!
SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL VOLUNTEERS, SPONSORS, DONORS, SUPPORTERS, AND 97ROCK LISTENERS WHO SUPPORTED THIS YEAR'S
Make-A-Wish RADIO-THON!
Thanks to your generosity and the leadership of Larry Norton and 97Rock, we raised a record breaking $265,731 for our local Make-A-Wish Chapter!!!
We have moved to a New Location!
On November 1st, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western New York moved into its brand new Chapter headquarters!! Our new address is 3901 Genesee Street, Suite 110, Buffalo, NY 14225. We are located on Genesee Street near Cayuga Drive and across from the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. (You will be able to reach us using the same phone number (716) 810-WISH)
CONTACT US! Call (716) 810-WISH (9474) or Toll Free 1-888-336-WISH
Make-A-Wish Foundation of WNY Full Time Staff: Ronn Tritto - Executive Director EXT 17Cheryl Unger - Director of Program Services EXT 16Tracy Gray - Development Director EXT 12Heather Alessi - Director of Corporate Relations EXT 14Rita Winkowski - Finance Manager EXT 11Andrea Prinzbach - Community Relations Manager EXT 18Stephanie Kowalski - Program Services Coordinator EXT 15Amy Martinez (formerly Amy Pettapiece) - Donor Relations Coordinator EXT 10
Stefani Trpcevski - Special Events Coordinator EXT 19
Fiscal Year 2008 Make-A-Wish Board of Directors: President Michael Callahan, Counsel Financial Services (Year 3 of 6) Vice President Felice Callahan, Counsel Financial Services (Year 3 of 6) Treasurer James Primiano, Next Financial Group (Year 5 of 6) Secretary Stuart Green, ENB Insurance Agency, Inc. (Year 2 of 6) Board Executive Louis J Billittier Jr, Erie County Sheriff Deputy, Chef's Restaurant (Year 6 of 6) Board Members Darlene Anthopoulos, Citizens Bank, (Year 1 of 6) Jolanda Chesonis, PAETEC (Year 3 of 6) Mark Cirella, M & T Commercial Banking (Year 3 of 6) Ryan Erwin, Ten Eleven Group, Inc. (Year 2 of 6) John Goller, Arrow Grinding (Year 3 of 6) John Hager, Citadel Communications (Year 5 of 6) Marc Honan, Buffalo Bills (Year 5 of 6)
Kevin Merriman, Ward Norris Heller & Reidy LLP (Year 1 of 6)Thomas Queri, AXA Advisors (Year 1 of 6) Michael Schifferle, Paragon Advertising (Year 1 of 6) Michael Silverstein, HSBC (Year 1 of 6) Barbara Wittick, Chubb & Sons, Inc. (Year 1 of 6) Linda Walleshauser, Goodyear Dunlop (Year 1 of 6) Honorary Board Members Steve Nichols, The Nichols Group Larry Norton, WGRF-FM 97Rock Rob Ray, Buffalo Sabres Alumnus Medical Advisors Dr. Barbara Bambach, RPCI / CHOB Hematology / Oncology Dr. Nina Schor. MD. PHD - Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong Eric Iglewski, MSW, Golisano Childrens Hospital at Strong Legal Counsel Michael B. Powers, Partner - Phillips Lytle LLP PLEASE CLICK HERE if you would like to contact a Make-A-Wish Representative.
Destination Joy
Destination JoySM presented by LAY'S® is the Make-A-Wish Foundation's campaign to inspire and empower Americans to share their much-needed time, talents and resources to grant the wishes of the 100,000 children who will be diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions over the next 4 years. This campaign focuses on the JOY that is brought to a child before, during, and after their wish.
The campaign was launched nationally on June 5th and our local chapter showed our support for the campaign by hosting wish families, volunteers, and members of the community at the Maid of the Mist. While there, we had several proclamations made from around the area and across the state proclaiming that June 5th, 2007 was Make-A-Wish Day. Upon the conclusion of the proclomations, everyone boarded the Maid of the Mist for a ride and photo opportunity.
To discover the seven different ways to participate in Destination Joy please click on the Destination Joy banner above. To view the famous Beetle Boy television ad for Destination Joy click here!
  
MEDIA STORIES:
Our Wish Child Joey is featured in the Buffalo News!
Click on the photo above for article!
Our Wish Child Hannah is featured on WGRZ-TV2
She's One Of The Toughest People You'll Ever Meet... She's A Great Kid
Click on Hannah's photo for the complete story!
Zach is bubbling with excitement over his new hot tub!
Click on the photo above for the article courtesy of WGRZ- News Ch. 2 and Jody Johnston.
Michael's Notre Dame Wish
CLICK HERE FOR A MICHAELs AMAZING WISH STORY TO MEET HIS FAVORITE NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL PLAYERS!!
Video Coverage courtesy of 13WHAM News, Rochester, NY
It is with great sorrow that we share the news that Michael lost his battle with cancer on December 30, 2006. We were honored to make Michael's wish come true and hope that his family will always remember the joy of his wish experience. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Notre Dame fan's youthful cheers to echo in Batavia
Tom Batzold, Sports editor - Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
(January 3, 2007) Michael Napoleone couldn't wait to watch Notre Dame play in tonight's Sugar Bowl. The 8-year-old had even picked five friends he could invite to his Batavia home. Michael, who died of leukemia Saturday, won't get to see the game, but that won't stop the Napoleone family from rooting for the Fighting Irish in his honor. "He just loved Notre Dame," Laurie Napoleone said of her son.
Notre Dame and the Make-A-Wish Foundation gave Michael four joyous days in October by flying the family to South Bend, Ind., where Michael was guest of honor at the Notre Dame football luncheon, met Dick Vitale at a pep rally and was given a VIP tour of the campus. He also met coach Charlie Weis and his favorite players - receiver Jeff Samardzija and defensive back Tom Zbikowski. "Charlie Weis comes across as this big, tough guy, but really, he's just a big teddy bear,'' Laurie Napoleone said. "He couldn't have been nicer. He gave us strong words of encouragement.''
Weis gave Michael an autographed football, and Samardzija signed his No. 83 jersey. The next day, Samardzija caught a touchdown pass to beat UCLA. "It's was the perfect ending to an unforgettable trip," Laurie said. Michael never wore the jersey again, but he will be buried in it Thursday.
At the end of his funeral at noon at St. Joseph Church, 303 E. Main St. in Batavia, the Notre Dame High School band, fittingly, will play the Irish fight song.
 
Cancer survivor tees it up with Lefty
Nine-year-old honors mother with pick of Mickelson
Click on left photo for the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle Story and right photo for RNews story!
Pop Star Makes Wish Come True
A huge crowd gathered at America's Fair Thursday night to see pop star Jesse McCartney. But, the event was more than just a concert for one girl. It was a wish come true. WGRZ-TV Channel 2's Robyn Young was there and has more. Just click on the link above.
Foundation Comes Through For Jamestown High School Senior
Click here for the Jamestown Post Journal Story!
By PATRICK L. FANELLI
Click on photos to learn about Mikey's Wish to help others as reported by WGRZ-TV2 reporter Scott Brown
 
Mikey's wish story
Adopt-A-Wish Sponsor: Counsel Financial Services
Click on photos to view current wish stories as reported
by WGRZ-TV2 reporter Lynne Dixon
 
Sevrin's wish story Susannah's wish story
Adopt-A-Wish Sponsor: Jewelers for Children Adopt-A-Wish Sponsor: Anonymous Donor
Make-A-Wish Foundation Moves Up "Philanthropy 400" Rankings
The Make-A-Wish Foundation continues its rise in the nonprofit world, ranking No. 87 in this year's Philanthropy 400 list compiled by The Chronicle of Philanthropy. That represents a jump of 13 places from the 2004 ranking. The United Way, which for the first time submitted a combined report including its local affiliates, is the No. 1 organization for fundraising. The Chronicle's 15th annual Philanthropy 400 uses financial data gathered from nonprofit organizations to determine which charities raised the most from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
The Philanthropy 400 section also includes a nice feature about Buffalo radio DJ Larry Norton, who has helped raise at least $1.4 million for the Western New York chapter in the past 11 years.
Click here to read about Larry Norton's national feature article!
Summer Newsletter 2008
Click on logo below to open newsletter.
DID YOU KNOW...
You can designate your United Way Contribution to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of WNY? Simply list us as your donor designation when signing up for United Way giving!
DID YOU KNOW...
You can DONATE YOUR FREQUENT FLIER MILES TO MAKE-A-WISH?
Click on the airplane for complete details!
 DID YOU KNOW...
The average cost of a wish is $5,000. The average value of a wish is $7,200 including in-kind product or service donations. Please contact us if you or your business would like to sponsor a wish or donate items or services to our organization.
DID YOU KNOW...
86% of funds received support program services in our Western New York Make-A-Wish Chapter; 7% of funds received support management / administration and 7% of funds received support fundraising costs.
DOES THE MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION TELEMARKET?
The Make-A-Wish Foundation does not, under any circumstances, engage telemarketers to raise money, despite sometimes being confused with other organizations that do. In fact, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has a nationwide policy against telephone and door-to-door solicitation. There is a number of other sound-alike organizations some also with "wish" in their names. The Make-A-Wish Foundation has no affiliation with any other wish-granting organization. If you receive a call from someone asking for a donation, ask the caller to send you more information.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CHAIN LETTERS
If you receive a chain letter...
Please reply to the sender and inform him or her that the Make-A-Wish Foundation does not participate in these kinds of wishes. Refer the sender and all recipients to this page.
Please do not forward the chain letter. CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS
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