News & Events

Macy’s 2009 Thanks for Sharing & “Believe” Campaign Results

Macy’s will donate $9.25 million to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® from its holiday cause programs – Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America will receive $8.25 million from the 2009 Thanks for Sharing program and $1 million from the Believe campaign. We are thrilled and want to thank everyone who supported these campaigns in our communities.

We especially thank schools such as Tecumseh School in Farmingville, (shown above), who took on the Believe Campaign with full force, having students write letters as part of a writing lesson while submitting many letters to Santa.

United Healthcare Helps Nicole Sleep Safer!

Seven-year-old Nicole from Patchogue is challenged with encephalitis, which has resulted in multiple medical conditions and physical limitations. Nicole’s family, which includes nine other adopted brothers and sisters who all have life-threatening medical conditions, reside in a truly caring environment, where each child’s specific needs are met with the utmost attention. When Make-A-Wish Foundation of Suffolk County was contacted to grant a wish for Nicole, the wish-granting volunteers knew they were in the presence of an exceptional family. Since Nicole is unable to verbalize her wish, her adoptive parents, Barbara and Bob, came up with an idea that would help ease the strains of daily life in the household.

As Nicole involuntarily shifts positions in her sleep, they wanted a bed that would be safe and sturdy enough to keep her from falling or getting trapped inside. In addition, the bed would be a comfortable place to tend to Nicole’s medical needs. The Suffolk County staff and volunteers did some research and found a perfect fit – a SleepSafe Bed. The SleepSafe Bed successfully accommodates Nicole’s requirements. It has safety rails on both sides that can slide up and down, or can be removed, for quick and easy accessibility. The mattress is made of memory foam to ensure all-day comfort, support, and relief. Additionally, it is anti-bacterial, fluid-resistant, and tightly fitted within the bed frame to prevent burrowing and entrapment. The bed is also full-size, leaving ample room for Nicole as she grows. The SleepSafe Bed‘s wooden frame gives it a stylish look, creating the appearance of a regular bed and not a hospital bed. This is not only beneficial, but also essential in the care-giving process.

Nicole’s bed was delivered last October and her family could not be happier with the results. Her parents now feel that she is more secure as she sleeps, which has helped Barbara and Bob sleep better at night as well. The bed has provided a soothing, calming place for Nicole, and a safe environment that she and her parents can rely on for years to come. Nicole’s special gift would not have been possible without the generous contribution of United Healthcare, which funded the entire wish. United Healthcare has been a steadfast supporter of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Suffolk County and has, in turn, enriched the lives of other children, like Nicole, who have life-threatening medical conditions.

Eighth-Annual “World’s Largest Ice Cream Social”
on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 5-8 p.m.

Cold Stone Creamery has supported the Make-A-Wish Foundation since 2002, generating $3.2 million in donations. This year, 5-year-old Make-A-Wish^® kid Jack teamed with Cold Stone Creamery’s Tastemaster^TM Ray Karam to create his own ice cream Creation to commemorate the alliance. Jack was named “Junior Tastemaster” as he created his special Creation with sweet cream ice cream mixed with brownie, sprinkles and caramel.

During the month, every Cold Stone store will sell customizable paper wish stars for $1 each, which will adorn the walls of the store, to benefit the local Make-A-Wish chapter. The celebration will reach its peak during the “World’s Largest Ice Cream Social,” where guests will receive a 3-ounce portion of Jack’s Creation when making a donation to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Ice cream lovers and supporters of the Make-A-Wish Foundation are encouraged to visit their local Cold Stone Creamery on Thursday, Sept. 24, and throughout the month to participate in the fundraising festivities.

Thank you all who participated and voted in the 2009 Betty Crocker Campaign!

Through part of its annual $250,000 donation, Betty Crocker®
granted 12 Wishes in 12 Weeks to Make-A-Wish® children.
We are happy to announce the Suffolk County Chapter will be receiving $7,000 to help grant the wish of Allyssa, age 18 from Lake Grove who has diastrophic syndrome.
Her wish is to have assistance with her college tuition and plans to attend classes this coming fall at Dowling.

Jewelers for Children Holds Inaugural Children’s Day

Suffolk County Child’s Wish to Celebrate Decade of Support for Make-A-Wish Foundation®

On May 31, Make-A-Wish Foundation® partner Jewelers for Children will hold its inaugural Children’s Day to celebrate the children who benefit from its members’ charitable efforts.

Jewelers for Children members will share their success stories with customers to spread the word about Children’s Day. The organization will also announce contributions to its charity partners, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Since 1999, JFC has funded more than 1,100 wishes nationwide, and the Foundation plans to grant 75 wishes supported by the jewelers’ organization in 2009.

On May 14th, Kay Cameron Jewelers in Sayville held a special Bon Voyage party for wish child Jared. Jared is a 5 year old from Miller Place. He has malformation of the brain. His wish is to go to Disney this May. Kay Cameron and her grandchildren hosted a special party with balloons, cupcakes and gifts for Jared and his sister.

“Jewelers for Children and its members have made it possible for us to bring hope, strength and joy to wish kids like Jareds” said Andrea Franco, Community Relations Coordinator of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Suffolk County, NY. “Their support during the past 10 years has made a significant difference in the lives of the courageous kids we serve.”

United Healthcare Grants Chiara’s Wish!

Thirteen-year-old Chiara from Shirley is always willing to go on an adventure. She enjoys the excitement of learning a new skill and never backs down from a challenge.

Being faced with pediatric lupus, along with kidney and heart complications, Chiara has braved the rapids that undoubtedly arise from having a life-threatening medical condition. To help ease some of the stress of day-to-day life, the dedicated staff and volunteers at Make-A-Wish Foundation of Suffolk County, NY, Inc. sent Chiara and her family on a fun-filled Caribbean cruise vacation.

Chiara’s seven-day journey around paradise was certainly a welcome respite for her and her family. Her incredible trip was made possible by the generous contribution of United Healthcare, which sponsored the entire wish. With the assistance of Jeffrey Alter, CEO of United Healthcare (Northeast Region) and member of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Suffolk County’s Board of Directors, the company also put together a gift basket filled with chocolates, cookies, and other assorted candies for Chiara as a special send-off. Shown in photo above is Jeffery Alter, Chiara, and President & CEO of Make-A-Wish of Suffolk County, Karine Hollander. It is only through the kindness and support of corporations, like United Healthcare, and individual donors that the Foundation is able to make dreams come true for every medically eligible child in Suffolk County.

Atlantic Chevrolet Cadillac Dealership of Bay Shore Celebrates 10,000 UAW-GM Wishes

For 10 years and nearly 10,000 wishes, the International Union, UAW, and the General Motors Corporation have been invaluable partners in helping the Make-A-Wish Foundation grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions nationwide.
To celebrate reaching the 10,000th wish, the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources sponsored a wish in each of the 66 Make-A-Wish® chapters. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Suffolk County, NY, Inc. selected the wish of Dana, age 11, of Greenlawn to honor the national wish milestone.
Dana, who is diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, asked the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Suffolk County, NY, Inc. to grant her fondest wish: to go to the United Kingdom.
Atlantic Chevrolet Cadillac dealership of Bay Shore, New York will be hosted a welcome home celebration honoring Dana on January 10, 2009. The celebration included a decorated showroom, special cake and additional surprises for Dana, as a welcome home from her dream trip.