CAP 480 Tanya Cooksey Ardeshia Hutchinson Kayla Wallace January 21, 2013

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in the United States that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. In order to qualify for a wish, the child must be between the ages of 2 and a half and 18 at the time of referral. It is the child's physician that ultimately decides if a child is eligible. The organization grants wishes through its 62 chapters located throughout the country. Make-A- Wish also operates in 47 countries around the world through 36 affiliate offices.[3]

“We grant wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy.”

David Williams is the President and Chief Executive Officer. Started in 1980 after a little boy named Chris Greicius made a wish to become a police officer. More than 76 percent of each dollar raised goes directly toward granting wishes. Reaching more than 250,000 children around the world. Network of 25,000 volunteers enable the Make a Wish Foundation to serve children with life threatening medical conditions.

o Step 1: Referral of a medical professor, parent, or children themselves. Children at the age of 2 ½ - 18 who have not received a wish from another wish granting organization are eligible. oStep 2: Determining a child’s medical eligibility with the help of the treating physician. Child must be diagnosed with life-threatening medical condition. oStep 3: Make a Wish Foundation sends one of their wish teams to learn the child’s wish. oStep 4: Wish granter creates an unforgettable experience driven by the child’s creativity. Has an impact on the child, family, and often times the entire community.

National Office Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America 4742 N. 24th St., Suite 400 Phoenix, AZ Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. MST Phone: (602) 279-WISH (9474) Toll-free: (800) 722-WISH (9474) Fax:(602) International Office Make-A-Wish Foundation® International 4742 N. 24th St., Suite 400 Phoenix, AZ USA Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Arizona, USA Time -7 GMT Phone: +1 (602) Toll-free: (800) 965-WISH (9474) Fax: +1 (602) Web site:

Did you know… Make a Wish Foundation does not participate in chain letters or other direct solicitation wishes because of fraud. The family does not have to pay for the wish. All wish expenses are fully covered, including travel, and spending money when appropriate. The average cost of a wish in March 2012 was $7,500. Make a Wish Foundation does not grant wishes to adults. The most requested wishes are “I wish to go, I wish to be, I wish to meet, and I wish to have.” Make a Wish Foundation does not engage telemarketers to raise money. They have a nationwide policy against telephone and door-to-door solicitation.

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Greater Virginia Serves the state of VA except for the northern VA suburbs of Washington D.C. Web site: N. Parham Road Suite 302 Richmond, VA Phone: (804) Fax: (804) Toll Free: (800)

oDonate money, airline miles, building supplies, computer equipment, hotel loyalty points, hot tubs, and spas, shopping sprees, and stock. oSend Cards oYou can shop for products with the Make-a-Wish Foundation logo and help grant wishes. oBuy and sell on eBay with the eBay giving works program to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. oYou can volunteer to help oFundraisers oGift Planning “Charitable giving plan where you can meet your family’s unique financial needs while supporting the charitable organization.