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Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has given hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. From their humble beginnings with one boy’s wish to be a police officer, they have evolved into an organization that grants a child’s wish in the U.S. every 41 minutes.
The Foundation’s mission reflects the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wish experience has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors and entire communities. Although it has become one of the world’s most well-known charities, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has maintained the grassroots fulfillment of its mission. A network of more than 25,000 volunteers enables the Make-A-Wish Foundation to serve children with life-threatening medical conditions. Volunteers serve as wish granters, fundraisers, special-events assistants and in numerous other capacities.
There are four steps to granting a wish:
- Referral. Make-A-Wish relies on medical professionals, parents and children themselves for referrals. Children who have reached the age of 2½ and are under the age of 18 at the time of referral and have not received a wish from another wish-granting organization may be eligible for a wish.
- Medical Eligibility. Make-A-Wish determines a child’s medical eligibility with the help of the treating physician. To receive a wish, the child must be diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition (for example, a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition that has placed the child’s life in jeopardy).
- Finding the True Wish. Make-A-Wish sends one of their enthusiastic
“wish teams” to learn the child’s one true wish. These passionate volunteers connect with wish children and help explore their imaginations for the experience that will delight and inspire them.
- Creating Joy. Our wish granters create an unforgettable experience driven by the child’s creativity. It’s an incredible experience that enriches not just the lives of the children and their families but often an entire community.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is proud of the way it manages and safeguards the generous contributions it receives from individual donors, corporations and other organizations. Seventy-eight percent of the revenue the Make-A-Wish Foundation receives is allotted to program services. This percentage well exceeds the standard upheld by organizations that monitor the work of charities.
Many thanks to our student council members: Rachel Goldstein, Abby Morse-Golub, Max Morse-Golub, Amy Katsamakis, Zoe Katsamakis, Jacob King, Zach Krivine, Adrien Gardner Lesser, Charlotte Markstein, Elena Nisonoff and Sam Weintraub. Based on input from their classmates, these students will select one or two additional noteworthy organizations to support through our tzedakah collection later in the school year.
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