Special Thanks!
Our New Website – Same Address – New Look!
With many thanks to Dean Mercado of Online Marketing Muscle, Inc., Peter Gilbride of CT Networks and Thomas Reynolds and Bill Galinsky of CA, Inc., our newly refreshed website is up and running! We are glad to have you visit the site and view our wish stories, upcoming events, and volunteer information!
Atlantic Auto Mall Continues to Help Grant Wishes
The Suffolk County Chapter of Make-A-Wish would like to extend it’s extreme appreciation of Atlantic Auto Mall & Atlantic Hyundai for their continuous support. For the past 8 years, Atlantic Hyundai has generously donated a car to local chapter for raffle, raising proceeds that helped grant over 20 children’s wishes to date. They have also supported our major events as well as holding their own local events. On behalf of our wish kids, our sincerest thanks.
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 later this fall, the UAW-GM Center for Human Resources is sponsoring a wish in each of the 66 Make-A-Wish® chapters in October and November. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Suffolk County, NY, Inc. has 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 hosting a welcome home celebration honoring Dana on January 10, 2009 at 1:00PM. The celebration will include a decorated showroom, special cake and additional surprises for Dana, as a welcome home from her dream trip.
A Special Thank You To The Following Locations Supporting Our Holiday Angel Campaign!
Walt Whitman Mall of Huntington
Gold’s Gym of Smithtown, Islip and Deer Park
IMAX Theater at Tanger in Deer Park
The Grille Room
Go West
During the month of December 2008 these locations welcomed our Holiday Angel Campaign! Ornaments were offered for a $1 donation and the combined amount raised was over $8,000. All proceeds will go towards granting wishes. Thank you for this holiday success!
Many Thanks to the Middle Country Public Library!
A WISH ART SHOW held at the Middle Country Public Library from October through November 2008!
The Artwork displayed were created by our local wish kids who have had their wish granted recently, as well as children whose wish was granted nearly 20 years ago! The Opening Reception included visits from participating wish children and their families, with light refreshments and special activities provided by the library! Artwork displayed spanned from holiday scenes, collages, to drawings describing a memory from their very own wish. Thank you Middle Country Public Library for helping our chapter “Share the Power of a Wish™”!
If you would like information on how your facility can display our wish kids artwork, please call 631-585-9474, ext.21
Make-A-Wish of Suffolk County Soaks In the Fun!
On Monday, July 28th, 2008, Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Suffolk County, NY, Inc. held its eleventh annual “Wish Splash” event at Splish Splash® water park in Riverhead. Over 200 wish children and their families were invited to spend a full complimentary day of fun in the sun!
Splish Splash® graciously opened an hour before their regular schedule to ensure less hassle on the families and allow more time for them to enjoy the park. Make-A-Wish volunteer, Diane Carlson, has selflessly given her time to help coordinate “Wish Splash” since its inception in 1997. Diane, along with a group of dedicated volunteers, arrives early in the morning to register each family and keep the event running smoothly.
Year after year, Splish Splash® has presented an incredible high dive show only to the wish families. This year was no exception, and the children were in awe over the amazing stunts. Of course, the rest of the day was dedicated to exploring the fantastic rides and attractions such as Cliff Diver, a slide that drops the rider down eight stories in three seconds, and the more relaxed Lazy River, where one can leisurely wind their way around the park on a water tube.
Diane pointed out how generous Splish Splash® has been to Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Suffolk County. It all started with Chip Cleary, Senior Vice President of Palace Entertainment (Water Park Division), and his wife Kathy, both of whom asked the organization to participate in “Wish Splash” eleven years ago. Diane said, “They always put the wish families first. They have continuously opened an hour early for us, and have invited us back every year.” She also mentioned how much the families appreciate the event as it provides a chance to enjoy a special day exclusively for them. She explained, “‘Wish Splash’ is so wonderful…it’s almost like having another wish!” In fact, when Diane asked one little girl what her wish was as she was being signed in at the front gate, she excitedly replied, “To come to Splish Splash®!”
For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit www.wish.org.
