In the United States, we often assume that Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico’s Independence Day. That is not true. Sept. 16 is actually Mexico’s Independence Day, and Mexico won its independence before the date of May 5, 1862, the day that Cinco de Mayo actually commemorates. Cinco de Mayo is actually a significant holiday in the United States to celebrate a relatively insignificant battle between the French Army of Napoleon III and Mexican President Benito Juarez’s resistance. The victory over the French army by a ragtag team of fighters possibly helped to save the American Union.
May is the peak season for spring allergens, which is why the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) has declared it to be National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. More than 26 million Americans suffer from asthma, including 6.3 million children. Not only does spring weather make asthma attacks more common, it's also when pollen and seeds are released, causing spring allergies in millions of people.
The Illinois Wish Ball is one of Chicago's premier fundraising events. You can be a part of this wonderful event, taking place May 21 at Navy Pier. More than 900 people attended last year's event, raising more than $2 million for Make-A-Wish Illinois. This year's event will be even more special, as it is the Wish Ball's 30th anniversary.
This year is sure to be a very special event for the 20th Annual Wish Night of Make-A-Wish North Texas, presented by Helzberg Diamonds. Since it began in 1997, Wish Night has raised more than $14 million and granted more than 1,875 wishes. Last year alone, Wish night raised $1.63 million for wishes. This year, the goal is to break this record at $1.7 million raised.
Make-A-Wish San Diego is holding two events this spring that you won't want to miss: a Walk For Wishes on April 23 and the Amazing Race for Children's Wishes on May 14. Both events are fun and active ways to get outside and help raise funds to grant wishes.
National Volunteer Week was created in 1974 to inspire more people to give back to their communities and find creative ways to get involved. Over the years, the movement has grown into a national celebration of community service and the volunteers who strive to improve the lives of others. If you're looking for ways to get involved this week, try one of these five great ways to make difference.
The 3rd Annual Tech Data Tampa Bay Walk for Wishes presented By Allegiant Air begins on Saturday, April 30. Help Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida reach their goal of raising $200,000 by joining in the Walk For Wishes, part of this year’s Riverfest. This is a two-mile, relaxing and beautiful walk along the Hillsbourough River. Participation includes access to family fun, festivities, live entertainment, and food vendors. Come join us!
Make-A-Wish Georgia is almost halfway to their goal of granting 400 wishes by August 31 of this year. This means they need $450,000 to make more wishes come true. You can help them out by coming to the 12th Annual Walk For Wishes event held at the Philips Arena in Atlanta.
Back by popular demand is the 4th Annual A Millions Dreams Masquerade Ball, benefiting Make-A-Wish Illinois. A Millions Dreams is a non-profit organization founded by Yvonne McMillion. When her son Zachary was 8, he battled the rare cancer Epithelia Sarcoma. Make-A-Wish Illinois granted him a wish and brought a smile back to his face. Now, Zachary is nine years cancer-free. Yvonne began A Million Dreams to give back to the Make-A-Wish foundation. She hosts great fundraising events to help grant more wishes.
The Masquerade Ball will feature a cocktail party, fun actives, silent auctions, and a cash bar. Come join A Million Dreams on April 23 for an adult night out that will surely bring more smiles to the faces of kids with critical illnesses.
Residents in the Portland area have a fun way to help Make-A-Wish Oregon grant more wishes this spring. The annual Walk For Wishes takes place Saturday, April 16. Be a hero for Wish Kids and help Make-A-Wish Oregon reach their fundraising goal of $150,000 at this year's walk. Just think of all the wishes that amount can grant!
Spring weather is here, and it's the perfect reason to get outside and give back to your community. A great way to get involved this April is by attending a Walk For Wishes. Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire is hosting two events this April that you won't want to miss out on.
If you live in one of Florida’s 54 counties served by Make-A-Wish Central and Northern Florida, then you have two great opportunities to support your local chapter on April 9th. The 22nd Annual Hamlin and Associates Wishmaker’s Ball and the 7th Annual Tampa Wishmaker’s Ball are both being held on Saturday. You have the option of attending either of these of these elegant black tie galas to experience the power in granting wishes to the children with critical illnesses.
Residents of the Boston area won't want to miss out on the 2016 Make-A-Wish Gala taking place April 9. The Gala will be held at the glamorous InterContinental Boston hotel overlooking the city's waterfront. Attending is a great way to help Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island grant more wishes in 2016. Over the past 28 years, the chapter has granted more than 7,000 wishes. The Gala alone aims to raise funds for at least 100 more wishes.
Spring in South Carolina is a great time of the year, and this year, Make-A-Wish South Carolina is holding three Walk For Wishes events across the state to help raise money to grant more wishes. The average cost of a wish in South Carolina is $7,500, so your participation can make a huge difference.
Walk For Wishes Lowcountry, March 26
Make-A-Wish South Carolina will host the inaugural Walk For Wishes 5K Walk/Run at Jarvis Park in Hilton Head Island. After completing the 5K, there’s a lot for the entire family to enjoy. The post-walk festivities will include fun, food and entertainment. Event highlights include: an Easter egg hunt, visits with the Easter Bunny and photo opportunities, race awards, a bounce house, face painting and balloon animals.
Registration fees are $30 for adults, $20 for ages 13 to 17 and $10 for ages 12 and under. You can register at the event's website, where you can also donate to a team or donate to an individual.
The event starts with check-in at 8 a.m., opening ceremonies at 8:45 with the festivities going from 9 a.m.-noon.
Walk For Wishes Upstate, April 23
The Greenville and Upstate area Walk For Wishes will be at Gateway Park in Traveler's Rest. The event starts with check-in at 9 a.m., opening ceremonies begin at 9:45 with the festivities lasting from 10 a.m.-noon. There is no fee for this event, so participants are encouraged to raise as much money as they can. The top three individual fundraisers and teams will be awarded at the opening ceremonies. You can register at the event's website, where you can also donate to a team or donate to an individual.
Walk For Wishes Piedmont, April 30
The Rock Hill and Fort Mill-area Walk for Wishes will be held at Anne Springs Close Greenway (288 Dairy Barn Lane) in Fort Mill. Check-in starts at 9 a.m., opening ceremonies at 9:45 with the festivities going from 10 a.m.-noon. The event is free to participate in, and prizes for fundraising start with $100 raised. The top three individual and team fundraisers will be awarded at the opening ceremonies. You can register online, where you can also donate to a team or donate to an individual.
Sponsor The Walks
If you or your company is interested, you can also help by sponsoring the event. Available sponsorships include:
- Presenting ($10,000)
- Wish Granters ($5,000)
- Star of Hope ($2,500)
- Star of Strength ($1,000)
- Star of Joy ($500)
Can’t Make The Walk? You Can Still Help Make-A-Wish
There are other ways you can help Make-A-Wish South Carolina, without going to the Walk For Wishes events this spring. One of those ways is by donating an unwanted vehicle to Wheels For Wishes benefiting Make-A-Wish South Carolina. Donating a vehicle helps kids in Columbia, Charleston and throughout the Palmetto State. It also saves you the time and money spent on selling an unwanted vehicle that will be transformed into a wish for a local child. It also gives you a great tax deduction at the same time. Wheels For Wishes is an IRS-registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so your donation is 100 percent tax deductible. Your car can make a wish come true!
To donate a vehicle to Wheels For Wishes, please call us at [chapter_phone], or fill out our easy online vehicle donation form. You will feel great about what your old car can do for a local child!
This April, there are three opportunities to make wishes come true for children in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky when you attend a BIG Wish Gala. Make-A-Wish Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky helps kids throughout these states who suffer from critical illnesses. You can help grant wishes to children in Akron, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Columbus, Toledo, Indianapolis, Fort Wayne, Evansville, Louisville, Lexington and more when you attend either of the Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana BIG Wish Galas in Columbus, Indianapolis or Cleveland.
Columbus BIG Wish Gala, April 9
If you live in the Columbus area, the Columbus BIG Wish Gala is the perfect opportunity for you. Enjoy an evening out at the Hilton Columbus Downtown (401 N. High Street), while also helping to grant the wishes for kids in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. The event will feature a sit down dinner, a live and silent auction, and inspirational wish stories from children and families who have benefited from Make-A-Wish. The event begins at 6 p.m.
Individual tickets sell for $300 each and sponsorship opportunities start at $3,000. To purchase tickets, please contact John Hykes at johnh@makeawishohio.org.
Learn more about the Columbus BIG Wish Gala here.
Indianapolis BIG Wish Gala, April 22
The Indianapolis BIG Wish Gala takes place at the JW Marriott Indianapolis (10 S. West Street), starting at 6 p.m. Individual tickets are $400 each and sponsorships are available from $4,000 to $25,000. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor of our 2016 event, or to RSVP, please contact Kelsey Leichtnam at 317-522-4082.
Cleveland BIG Wish Gala, April 28
The Cleveland BIG Wish Gala at the Westin Cleveland Downtown (777 St. Clair Ave. NE) will provide guests with the opportunity to experience the Make-A-Wish mission firsthand. The evening starts at 6 p.m. and includes dinner, a live and silent auction and a few more surprises. Guests will also have the opportunity to hear stories of inspiration from children and families whose lives have been forever changed by a granted wish.
You can attend the event by purchasing tickets or tables. Individual tickets are $300. RSVP today to Michele DeScioli at 216-367-5655. Sponsorships are also available, and range between $3,000 and $15,000.
Can’t Attend But Still Want To Make Wishes Come True?
If you are unable to attend either of these fantastic events, you can still help Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky, & Indiana by donating your car, truck, boat, motorcycle, or camper to Wheels For Wishes. Wheels For Wishes is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that benefits Make-A-Wish through our car donation program. Donate your unwanted vehicle and it will be recycled or auctioned off to grant more wishes for local children.
To donate a vehicle, please call [chapter_phone] or fill out our online car donation form. Vehicle donations are tax-deductible and include free pick-up and towing of your vehicle, anywhere in your area. Call us today to donate your vehicle!
If you want to take part in a night of exquisite wine and food, then Wine & Wishes is for you. March 23 is the 13th Annual Wine & Wishes event, hosted by Make-A-Wish Metro and Western New York. At Wine & Wishes, you'll enjoy a delightful evening of fine wines, desserts, and silent and live auctions, with earned proceeds benefiting Make-A-Wish Metro and Western New York.
Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington’s annual Wish Night Gala & Auction: Flights of Fancy will be an especially magical event this year. Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington is celebrating its 30th anniversary of granting the wishes of local children, but the real magic of the 2016 Wish Night is its focus on raising funds to grant 400 wishes this year. You can help the Wish Night Gala & Auction achieve its goal through contributions and donations to the event. With your support, Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington can provide more life-changing experiences to children battling life-threating medical conditions and their families.
Make-A-Wish Northeast New York has granted nearly 1,600 wishes over the past 29 years. You can help celebrate their impact of all these wonderful wishes at the 18th Annual Gala for Make-A-Wish. This year's theme is "Wishes Light the World." Make-A-Wish Northeast New York plans to grant 100 wishes this year, and you can help by attending the gala.
If you live in Iowa, you have four opportunities to support Make-A-Wish Iowa at an upcoming gala. This spring, you can attend a gala in Dubuque March 19, Des Moines April 2, Clinton April 9, or Cedar Rapids April 22. Each gala will have its own flair, but all of them help Make-A-Wish Iowa keep doing wonderful work for kids in your state.
Feb. 14 is known for Valentine’s Day, but it’s actually so much more than that. Not only is it a day to shower your sweetie with candy hearts and chocolates, but it’s also a great time to raise awareness for Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Day and National Donor Day. Plus, Valentine’s Day falls right in the middle of Random Acts of Kindness Week (RAK Week). This Valentine’s Day, have a heart and combine all four of these great events into one day, or share the love all week long!
