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.
When you keep the planet in mind as you shop, do home improvements, travel or eat, you're not just helping Mother Earth. Many eco-friendly actions are also beneficial for your own health and they help you save money in the long run. Most environmentally-friendly decisions don't have to be expensive or take a lot of time. In fact, small changes can have a bigger impact than you might expect when you form green habits.
Since 1994, the last week in April has been celebrated as National Infant Immunizations Week in the United States. This year National Infant Immunization Week is held from April 16-23, the same week as World Immunization Week. The World Health Organization promotes in all of its six regions access to universal vaccination and international cooperation. NIIW serves many purposes, including as a call to action for all parents and healthcare providers to continue the use of vaccinations with children, to share information about protecting our kids in order to keep healthy and safe communities, and to celebrate the importance of vaccinating infants from preventable diseases.
There have been many achievements due to vaccinations. For example:
- Infants and kids are now protected from 14 vaccine-preventable diseases before their second birthday.
- In the 1950s, nearly every child contracted measles, and some even died from it. It’s a serious disease. Today, many physicians who have been practicing for many years have never seen a case of measles.
- Children born between 1994 and 2013 who received vaccinations will prevent around 322 million illnesses, 21 million hospitalizations, and 732,000 deaths during the course of their lives.
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.
Well, Tax Day is coming up on Monday, April 18th! That means that it is the deadline for filing IRS tax returns. If you donated to your car to Wheels for Wishes in 2015, you can use our car donation tax deduction calculator to estimate your deduction. You have not only earned a tax deduction; thanks to your vehicle donation, you have done something great for the environment and helped local children who really needed your support.
You can also prepare for next year’s tax season if you donate your car in 2016. We it easy to donate your car using our online form. You can also call us at [chapter_phone]
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.
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.
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!
Each year, World Health Day is celebrated on April 7. This year's World Health Day will focus on preventing and managing diabetes with the theme "Beat Diabetes." More than 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, and this number continues to rise. Diabetes is a concern for adults and children alike, but World Health Day is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the disease and reduce your risk. Today is also a great time for those already living with diabetes to learn about managing symptoms in the best way possible.
April is the awareness month for four types of cancer: head and neck, esophageal, and testicular. It’s an important time to discuss these different diseases because some can be prevented through self-care, while others need to be discovered during examination by a doctor. Many of these cancers are related because of the three ways that the disease spreads throughout the body:
- Tissue. Cancer cells can spread from where they began by developing into nearby regions.
- Lymph system. When cancer gets into the lymph system, it spreads through the lymph vessels to other parts of the body.
- Blood. If cancer gets into the blood, it travels through the blood vessels to other areas.
Cancer awareness months are not meant to cause worry or hypochondria. The purpose of this month is to spread awareness about these diseases, many of which are preventable through lifestyle choices and are also highly treatable.
April is Cancer Control Month, an observance declared by the president in office every year since the 1930s. This month is to observe the advances we’ve made in medical science for battling cancer, and to remind Americans that this battle is far from over. Cancer will soon be the leading cause of death in the United State but research is getting closer every day. It’s time to look at the hard facts and consider lifestyle changes and options for regular screenings. You can show your support and concern for cancer survivors during this month, and make April matter for you and your community.
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.
You probably don’t spend much time thinking about water, despite it being a necessity in your daily life. Many of us don’t. The United States is one of the largest consumers of freshwater resources on Earth, with the average American using between 80 and 100 gallons per day. It’s easy for us to keep hydrated and sanitary, a fact that we usually take for granted. Meanwhile, 1 out of 9 people in the world go without access to safe drinking water.
This sip of knowledge is just one of the many reasons why March 22 is World Water Day, an international observance of the essentiality of water and related concerns. Originally designated as an annual celebration of the importance of freshwater by the UN in 1993, it now serves as a reminder of the lives that can be saved if we focus world-wide, coordinated effort towards sustainable water management. On World Water Day, people all around the world can demonstrate that they care about agriculture, health, trade, and the environment. Campaigns are held as a way to raise money for worldwide access to safe water, and nongovernmental organizations use the day to promote sustainability through suggestions to protect water resources. The UN-Water also coordinates international events and activities for each of its 193 member-states to educate, inspire, and insight change within their countries.
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!
