March 2024

Wish Update

In this quarter (December 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024), Make-A-Wish Illinois granted 165 life-changing wishes, bringing the total number of wishes granted to date this fiscal year to 330.

Among those wishes was Kamila's. She joyously welcomed her new best friend, a sweet puppy she named Chloe, into her family. Kamila had the biggest smile as she took Chloe into her arms for the first time. With her furry companion by her side, Kamila joyfully rang the bell, marking the end of her cancer treatments.

Discover more wish stories at wish.org/illinois/our-stories.

Board Update

Make-A-Wish Illinois is pleased to announce Lenny Dacanay was recently elected to the Board of Directors. He joins a dedicated group of committed directors who oversee the strategic direction of one of the largest Make-A-Wish chapters in the world. This year Make-A-Wish Illinois will grant more than 750 wishes to children across the state.

See the full board list at wish.org/illinois/our-board.

New Staff

Join us in welcoming two new staff members to the Make-A-Wish Illinois team.

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Andrew Keller joins the team as a wish coordinator for travel wishes. He previously worked for Kesem, where he was a regional program coordinator and volunteer. Andrew will be using his love of travel and Disney to create unique and memorable wishes.

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Clare M. Maylone is joining the team as a wish coordinator specializing in onboarding and discovery. Clare previously interned at Make-A-Wish Illinois with the community engagement team. She is looking forward to becoming an expert in all our wish types and helping families along their wish journey

For a list of our full staff and open staff and intern positions, visit wish.org/illinois/our-chapter.

Wish Ball 2024

Join us at Navy Pier on May 18, 2024, for Wish Ball! Every moment has unlimited potential for magic. Your moment is now. Come discover how we can make magic moments that will transform lives, together at Wish Ball. Presented by GATX .

Limited corporate and family sponsorships are still available. For information, contact [email protected].

Penguin Plunge

In January, 160 participants took the plunge and jumped into the icy water at Sky Dive Chicago in Ottawa, IL to raise money in support of wish children. More than $81,000 has been raised so far.

Congratulations to our top team fundraiser, Team Francisco, who together raised more than $18,000!

View photos from the event here.

Celebrate World Wish Month

What started with a single wish in 1980 has turned into a global movement. Chris Gracious was a 7-year-old in Arizona struggling with leukemia. He had one wish, to be a police officer. Six people came together to grant his wish, bringing together the entire community, brightening his darkest days. Since then, Make-A-Wish has granted over 520,000 wishes have been granted, more than 18,000 of those wishes were for children in Illinois.?

There are many ways to get involved: become a volunteer, start a fundraiser, share your airline miles, and so much more. Join the thousands of people who are already part of granting wishes to children facing critical illnesses. To learn more, visit wish.org/illinois/get-involved.

Upcoming events

March 19 - Volunteer Orientation Session (virtual)

April - World Wish Month

April 16 - Volunteer Orientation Session (virtual)

April 29 - World Wish Day

May 4 - McKay NAPA Auto Parts Cruise In (Concordia Hall, Staunton)

May 15 - Volunteer Orientation Session (virtual)

May 18 - Wish Ball (Navy Pier, Chicago)

August 17 - Over The Edge (Chicago)