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About
Make-A-Wish
Founding Story
In 1980, a young boy suffering from leukemia in Phoenix,
Arizona, dreamed of becoming a police officer. Knowing his
illness would prevent him from realizing his dream, US Customs
Special Agent Tommy Austin and the Arizona
Department of Public Safety decided to help make Chris' dream
come true.
Complete with a custom-made uniform, helmet and badge, Chris was
sworn in as an honorary patrol officer and was taken on a
helicopter ride! Two days after joining the force, Chris was
hospitalized. He asked that his uniform and helmet be hung where
he could see them.
 Then, three days later, the young Arizona State Trooper died. He
was buried in his uniform and given a police funeral with full
honors. The experience of fulfilling Chris' wish inspired Austin
to continue making wishes come true for other very ill children.
thus creating Make-A-Wish Foundation.
NATIONAL
INFORMATION
The Make-A-Wish
Foundation is the largest wish-granting organization in the
world, with 67 chapters in the United States and 25 - 27
international affiliates spanning five continents. Please visit
our national Website at
www.wish.org.
RHODE ISLAND
CHAPTER
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Rhode Island proudly started in
1991 as the 75th Make-A-Wish® chapter. Since then, we have
granted more than 880 wishes in Rhode Island. For more
information about who and where we are, click on the links
above.
History of Rhode Island Chapter:
On December 27, 1991, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Rhode Island
(the corporation) was duly called to order at One Park Row,
Providence, Rhode Island. A year prior to that day, Peter C.
Cotton, President of MRI-Sales Consultants of Rhode Island,
attended a black tie event in Cleveland, held by his parent
company, MRI. During the event, he viewed a Make-A-Wish video,
found out about the mission and was inspired. A call into the
National Office to make a donation turned into how he could
start a chapter in Rhode Island. The National Office explained
the full process to Peter: how to apply for chapter status, how
to set up a 501 (C) (3), and the need to recruit volunteers. It
took Peter only forty-five minutes to recruit legal and
accounting representatives and one and a half days to recruit
eighteen leadership volunteers. He went on to enlist scores of
volunteers. The Rhode Island Chapter began to meet in Warwick to
begin a yearlong process from provisional to full chapter
status. The startup of the chapter was the fastest in the
history of the national organization. It was no surprise that
Peter, as the founding father, was voted as the first President
of the Board and the Acting Executive Director. "It was a labor
of love," says Peter.
STATEMENTS
Foundation Mission Statement
We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening conditions
to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy.
Foundation Vision Statement
People everywhere will share the power of a wish®.
Staff Mission Statement
To create experiences of the highest quality and satisfaction
for all our customers (wish children and families, donors, and
volunteers) who collaborate in the wish-granting process.
VALUES STATEMENT
1. The child's vision is the
heart of the wish and nothing should tarnish its magic.
2. The whole family's
experience is vital to the quality of a child's wish and to the
comfort and healing that a wish can bring. The family will be
carefully considered in all our choices.
3. Our donors and volunteers
are important to us. We will seek in our activities to enhance
their joy and satisfaction in the wishes that are fulfilled
through their partnership and their philanthropy.
4. Our operations and our
fundraising will express our commitment to stewardship,
integrity, compassion, and the dignity of our clients.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How much does granting a wish cost?
Nationwide, the average cost of granting a wish is between
$4,000 and $6,400. However, wish costs vary and may be more or
less expensive than the average.
What is the most requested wish?
A large percentage of all wishes are to go to Walt Disney World.
Others wish to meet a favorite movie star, rock star or athlete.
Others may wish for a special gift: a computer, an entertainment
center, or a shopping spree.
What are your sources of funding?
Individuals and corporate donations of cash and in-kind goods
and services are a primary source. Chapter sponsored fundraisers
and outside group fundraisers also assist.
How much of my donation goes to
granting a wish?
The national policy is that a minimum of 80 cents of every
dollar donated goes to granting a wish. Our chapter's goal is to
maintain 85 cents designated to wish granting.
For questions specifically pertaining to qualifying for a wish
or how to refer a wish, please visit the Wish Referral page on
our site. Information about volunteering and our Make-A-Wish
events and programs are also available on the associated pages
of this website.
DO'S AND
DON'TS |
