July 18, 2021 marks the 35th anniversary of Make-A-Wish Connecticut, the nonprofit organization that grants life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses in our state. After 35 years of wish-granting and more than 3,600 wishes granted, Make-A-Wish has proven time and time again that light can shine in even the darkest and most uncertain times. The organization remains committed to delivering hope to wish kids and their families.
To celebrate and honor their 35th Anniversary, the chapter reached out to wish kids over the past 35 years and created 35 snapshots, sharing one wish alumni snapshot a day – counting down to the very first wish kid who inspired the founding of their chapter in July 1986. The snapshots share where the wish kids are now and the transformative power their wishes had on them and their families, and still have, many years later. Some are now nurses, musicians, parents, business owners, teachers, news reporters…
The community is also celebrating the nonprofit’s milestone with several events and fundraising activities:
Raise Dough For Wishes is a virtual baking competition to celebrate the chapter’s 35th anniversary! The event brought together bakers in the community to show support for local children who are waiting to receive their wishes. The community can vote on a unique array of creations by donating $5 - a virtual high five! Every $5 donation is one vote for a favorite creation. The nonprofit is hoping to cook up 1,986 votes in honor of the year 1986 when they were founded! If they meet this goal, they'll be able to grant a wish for a local child waiting. Voting is open until midnight July 17 at ct.wish.org/doughforwishes
Five Guys is donating 20% of all purchases to Make-A-Wish Connecticut at all 24 Connecticut locations on Monday, July 19 from 4 to 10 p.m. to help the chapter celebrate 35 years of wishes.
Pam Keough, President and CEO of the Connecticut chapter shares that is “amazing how our first wish was granted 35 years ago, and it all began in New Milford with three volunteers, all licensed social workers, who were passionate about kids and were committed to forming a credible wish granting organization in the state. It is also amazing how many wishes we’ve granted and all we’ve accomplished with the help, support and generosity of the community: donors, volunteers, corporate partners, media partners, wish kids, families…
Keough adds, “Make-A-Wish is the tipping point – the moment that signals that something amazing is about to happen. We are committed to continuing to create hope, so that every eligible child can experience the power of a wish."
MORE ABOUT MAKE-A-WISH CONNECTICUT:
Make-A-Wish® Connecticut creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. We seek to bring every eligible child's wish to life because every child deserves a childhood. Research shows children who have wishes granted can build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight their illnesses. Together, generous donors, supporters, staff and volunteers across the state unite to deliver hope to wish kids and their families when they need it most. In total, Make-A-Wish Connecticut has granted more than 3,600 wishes to local children. For more information about Make-A-Wish Connecticut, visit wish.org/ct.