Mission: To grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.
Background: We want to provide children with the hope for better times, the strength for the tough times and the joy to experience the present. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut has granted over 1,800 wishes since our founding in 1986. We granted 140 during our last fiscal year. The Make-A-Wish Foundation finances its work through individual contributions, corporate donations, foundation grants, planned gifts, special events and in-kind donations.
Major Fundraisers:
An Evening of Wishes Gala on April 24 is one of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut’s premiere fundraising events held at MGM Grand at Foxwoods. It includes dinner, live and silent auctions, and dancing to The Cartells. Tickets cost $200 and $250.
Another major fundraiser is the foundation’s Third Annual Wishes From Waterbury Wine Tasting on March 11 from 6 until 9:30 p.m. The wine-tasting event will be held at the Villa Rosa/Pontelandolfo Club on Farmwood Road in Waterbury. Hors d’oeurvres will be served. Tickets cost $30.
The foundation also will hold a walkathon, Walk for Wishes, on May 8. The event will be held at Penfield Beach in Fairfield.
The Walk for Wishes is a noncompetitive, three-mile walk to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut. The fundraiser includes food and entertainment.
Volunteer Needs: Hundreds of dedicated volunteers throughout Connecticut make magic happen for children by volunteering in areas such as wish granting, fundraising and special events, community speaking, administrative support and internships. For additional information please contact: Karleen Lombard, director of volunteer services, at karleen@ct.wish.org.
Leadership:
Mike Burke, chief executive officer;
Kevin Sinclair, board chairman/ president, Wireless Zone;
Sherry Duff, board vice chairman/ strategic planning and development, Arch Chemicals;
Jennifer Ryan, board treasurer / chief operating officer, Shelton Winnelson;
Gretchen Crist, board secretary/ senior vice president, human resources, The Sun Products Corp.;
Sherry Duff, board member/strategic planning and development, Arch Chemicals.
Contact Information:
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut
126 Monroe Turnpike
Trumbull, CT 06611
(203) 261-9044; www.ct.wish.org
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Kim Smith is director of external events at the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
