Headquarters
Make-A-Wish Foundation®
The Gulf Tower
707 Grant Street, 37th Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15219-1916
(800) 676-9474
Regional Offices
Charleston Regional Office
(304) 342-9474
(304) 345-6568 (fax)
Erie Regional Office
(814) 868-9474
(814) 866-0490 (fax)
Pottsville Regional Office
(570) 622-6962
(570) 622-3644 (fax)
Punxsutawney Regional Office
(814) 938-8888
(814) 938-3431 (fax)
Sranton Regional Office
(570) 341-9474
(570) 341-9448 (fax)
York Regional Office
(717) 757-9474
(717) 840-0222 (fax)
Web Site
http://www.wishgreaterpa.org
http://www.wishsouthwv.org
E-Mail
greaterpa@wishworld.org
swestva@wishworld.org |
This Issue Presented by Prudential Preferred Realty
Seventeen-year-old Courtney of Girard, PA, is one of the biggest dog lovers around. For her wish, Courtney, along with her mom, dad and brother, flew to Los Angeles for her meet and greet with Cesar Millan, the host of her favorite program, The Dog Whisperer. On the morning of her big day, Courtney and her family were whisked off in a limo to the production site of the show. Courtney was treated like a celebrity as she watched the taping of a special on puppies, got an exclusive tour of the studio and met the staff members' dogs. Courtney was also thrilled to meet one of the stars of the special, a puppy named Mr. President. Courtney was living a dog lover's dream, and she loved every minute of it. After her tour, Courtney was off to have lunch with Millan and his crew. An excited Courtney exclaimed, "There he is!" when she got her first glimpse of the TV star at The Terrace Café in Venice, CA. Millan gave her a big hug, and they chatted about their favorite shows and hobbies. To top off the lunch, Millan celebrated Courtney's birthday, which was a few days earlier, by having a cake brought out and singing "Happy Birthday" to this glowing wish kid. Courtney's wish wasn't over yet. After lunch, Courtney went to meet Millan's dogs, Daddy and Junior. Millan autographed books for her and the two exchanged gifts. Millan hugged Courtney and thanked her for making him her wish. When she arrived back in Pennsylvania, Courtney received another surprise. Millan sent her DVDs about dog training so she could train her own dog, Sapphire. Courtney got right to work learning even more about the animals and celebrity she loves.
| | | | | | | | |
Barbara Confer-Franck
Dewayne Dickens
Billie and Robert Egan
Cindy Greene
Candace Hersh
Bettie Kichline
Tina Lackey
Sharon LaVallee
Latoria Leonard
Rebecca Mettee-Carter
Sheri Minarsky
Kelly Mortimer
Alesia Mudgett
Ronda Simanski
Kerry Tilford
Lisa Wolfe |
AccuWeather.com Centre County Wish Gala
Auto Racers for Kids Charities, Inc.
Blue Mountain Elementary Center East
Jennifer Garafino
Hillview Motors
Jensen Landis Jr. Memorial Golf Outing
Lafayette College
Lauren McDonald's Birthday Party
Llewellyn Early Childhood Center
Minersville Elementary School
Paige Norella and Emily Wall
Nikco Sports
Penn-Air & Hydraulics Foundation
Pittsburgh Gifted Center
Sheetz Family Charities
South Buffalo Elementary School
Thomas Jefferson High School
Truck Convoy for Wishes
|  |
| |
| |  |
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby joins Make-A-Wish® mascot Stella! and wish kid Zachary at the 2nd Annual Pens & Pins Charity Bowling Tournament.
| |
| 
Bob Maxwell (back right) organized the KOMAX Business Solutions 5th Annual Charity Golf Tourney in South Charleston, WV, which fully funded two wishes.
"Joan Rivers" catches up with Make-A-Wish Manager of Special Events Stephanie Pugliese at the Uleta's Denim & Diamonds event, where guests enjoyed a wonderful dinner, entertainment, prizes and appearances by special guests.
| 
| | |
| | | |  |
The proceeds from the first annual Smoketoberfest BBQ Challenge at Rhodes Grove, which featured a State Championship Professional BBQ Competition, will go towards granting wishes of Franklin County children. |
| | | 
| 
First time donors Ernie Miller, Amy Damico and Chuck Berkshire present a check from the Pechin Firehouse Restaurant Bike Run and Car Show to Stephanie Pugliese.
Event Co-Chair J.J. Foley, Jayson and Kristina Sanderson, Co-Chair Kevin Drummond (back), Rhett, Hayden and wish kid Reid (front) were among those in attendance at GE Transportation's Winter Wishes event at the Sheraton Erie Bayfront Hotel.
| |
| | | Rebecca Mease's grandchildren, Kahley Mease, age 6, and Jacob Mease, age 9, proudly presented the Make-A-Wish Foundation with the proceeds of their Basket Bingo, an event held in memory of their grandmother.
Ty Caylor saved quarters for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in lieu of birthday gifts. 
|  |
|
| | | |
Rick Berrott and the students of Plum Borough School District raised an amazing amount of money at their 10th Annual Make-A-Wish Telethon. |  |
|  | Participants pose at the 7th Annual Summer Mud Derby and Make-A-Wish Benefit at the Muddy Run Raceway in Smoke Run, PA.
Wish kid Teddy poses with Jessica Darr who organized the Children's Charity Softball Tournament with her father, Danny. Teddy was presented with the tournament's Most Valuable Player award.
| | |
| | | 
| 
Wish kid Conner (front) enjoyed running the bases with the teams at the 18th Annual Moms for Make-A-Wish Softball Tournament, including the Russo's Pizza Den team pictured here.
Golfers practice their short game at the 10th Annual Star USA Federal Credit Union Golf Tournament at the Little Creek Country Club in South Charleston, WV.
| |
| | | |
Jake, of Bethlehem, PA, poses with his friends at his "Birthday Party with a Purpose" in September, where his only birthday wish was for his family and friends to donate to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
|  |
| 
Gertrude Hawk Chocolates fulfilled 14-year-old Desirae's wish to swim with dolphins and gave her and her family a tour of the factory. Desirae, third from right, is pictured next to Director of Community Relations Lorraine Williams.
Sayre High School student Frankie Galizia became a Wishmaker® after organizing a 5K Run for Wishes for his senior project.
|  | | |
| |
New and long-time donors from across our territory came out during our 21st Annual Light Up A Child's Life® holiday campaign to show their support for our mission, helping us raise an outstanding 583 stars. Donors listened to how their generous contributions went to fulfill magical wishes for some very special children, who were eager to share their Walt Disney World®, shopping spree and celebrity stories on the radio. A special thanks to the following stations and personnel who helped make wishes come true... Tony Renda Sr., owner of Renda Broadcasting, Velocity Radio Management's Tony Renda, Jr., WISH 99.7 FM, its dedicated staff, and our broadcast sites: 5th Avenue Place, Monroeville Mall, One Oxford Centre and the Mall at Robinson; WDSN Sunny 106 in DuBois, PA, its owner Jay Philippone and staff and Clearfield County volunteers; The River WQKY-FM in St. Mary's, PA, its owner John Salter and staff and volunteer Linda Facchine; WPXZ-FM 104.1 Punxsutawney, PA, and General Manager Jason Hill and staff, along with Dr. Joe Kernich and Barney Stockdale of the morning crew and Jefferson County Volunteers; and WRTS Star 104 Promotions Director Jessica Curry and staff and management at Millcreek Mall in Erie, PA.
|
| | |
Drew Rotz presented a donation from Associates in Rehabilitation, Inc. This is the 7th Light Up A Child's Life appearance for this case management company located in Greentree.
|  | |
|  | 
Mary Ann Papale from Highmark talks about the company's generous donations to the Foundation.
Wish kids Deondre and BJ came with their guardian Victoria to One Oxford Centre to share their wish stories with WISH 99.7 listeners.
| | |
| | | | 
Wendy Shimmel (right) traveled to the DuBois campaign to present a check to Make-A-Wish Regional Director Pam Renwick from the Clearfield School District.
Pat Magnotti (right) and his family stopped by the campaign to drop off a generous donation.
|  |
|  | 
Judi Stone interviews wish kid and intern Megan. Megan was granted her wish for a pool back in 1999.
Vice President of Program Services Kate Buckley and WISH 99.7's Sara Lockard and Ron Antill interview JoAnn and Steve Merzlak about the 10th Annual Walk for Strength, which will be held this summer in memory of the Merzlaks' son, Michael.
| | |
| | |
Erie staff members Jan Stork and Sara Hunter pose with wish kid Austin Pierce and Star 104's Dave Dawson.
| 
| |
| 
Kudos to teachers from Sykesville Elementary School, part of DuBois Area School District, who helped their students raise almost double the amount they did last year.
Three-year-old Carter told all about his Walt Disney World® wish on WISH 99.7 FM.
| 
| | |
| | |  | 
Students from Edinboro University's Inter-Fraternity Council tell Star 104's Jessica Curry about their Annual Date Auction.
During McKamish, Inc.'s 21st Light Up A Child's Life appearance, Dave Wingertsahn, John Norbut and Gary Miller presented their annual donation to Make-A-Wish President and CEO Judi Stone (left) and Vice President and Director of Development Barb Becker (right).
| |
| | | |
Independence Middle School students presented proceeds from their various fundraisers, including dances, carnivals and coin collections.
|  |
| 
| 
Star 104's Craig Warvel interviews wish kid Abbey about her Walt Disney World® wish.
The associates of Prudential Preferred Realty have been raising funds since 1991. CFO Jim Saxon (right) and Owner Ron Croshoure (left) are pictured here with Judi Stone.
| | |
| | | | 
Girls from Seville Elementary presented the Foundation's Kate Buckley and WISH 99.7 personality Cris Winter with funds to fulfill one wish.
Make-A-Wish Vice President of Communications and Director of Operations Ann Hohn interviews Rick Grendys and Thomas Lobaugh from Westinghouse Nuclear Services at Monroeville Mall. WISH 99.7 personality Dan Dunlap listens in to the interview.
|  |
| | |
Dear Make-A-Wish Foundation®, As a doctor, I can take a history, perform a physical exam, make a diagnosis, and prescribe therapies or medications. The Make-A-Wish Foundation is able to do for my patients what I cannot - give them an incredible wish of their choice that allows them to experience the joys of being a child. Many of my patients have wished to go to Disney World, and the trips they have taken have truly been unforgettable. Your organization and the organizations/Individuals you partner with to provide wishes have treated my patients and their families with  unbelievable kindness, respect and generosity. I have never heard a negative comment from any of my patients/families about their Make-A-Wish adventure, be it a trip to Disney World, a visit with their favorite movie star or a local shopping spree. In fact, the first time I see a child after their wish is spent hearing fantastic stories of the trip, looking at pictures and watching them laugh. Thank you again for everything you do to help children who are fighting for their lives enjoy a little bit of childhood. Your organization has helped my patients in ways that medicine cannot. Sincerely,
Sylvia Choi, MD FAAP
The Paul C. Gaffney Diagnostic Referral Service
Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh 
1. Call 1-800-676-9474.
2. Visit our Web site, www.wishgreaterpa.org.
Friends and Family Online Giving Pages
 The Make-A-Wish Foundation would like to thank board members, staff, and their friends and family who helped to make wishes come true through our online giving pages. Their generous donations since November 2009 amount to nearly $17,000. Staff members and board members who created a page are listed below. If you are a volunteer or wish family and would like to create a page of your own, please call our Pittsburgh office at 412-471-9474. It's so easy and a wonderful way to commemorate a special holiday, birthday or anniversary.
Board Members:
Beth Eckenrode
Mark Kehoe
Donn Patton
Sasidharan Taravath Staff Members:
Dana Antkowiak
Barb Becker
Kate Buckley | Chris Burns
Travis Chandler
LeAnn Dickens
Amanda Filsinger
Lisa Golebiewski
Ann Hohn
Sara Hunter
Patti Lellock
Barb Leax
Leigh Ann Lubarsky | Deb Nichols
Sarah Pickard
Stephanie Pugliese
Stacey Steeves
Judi Stone
Jan Stork
Erica Thomas
Kelly Wilson |
With dozens of Sam's Club partners and Walmart associates cheering him on, seven-year-old Benji had the time of his life on his holiday shopping spree extravaganza. Benji, along with Santa Claus and one of his elves, skipped into the Erie Sam's Club, where he noticed a very big present - the computer he had been imagining for so long. The Walmart associates and Sam's Club partners also gave Benji computer games and accessories, and everyone celebrated the wish kid's special day by having a slice of his personalized cake. The  Make-A-Wish Foundation is grateful for the support of Sam's Club and Walmart in helping to make Benji's wish come true, as well as the wishes of many other children. Last year, our chapter received more than $65,000 from 40 Sam's Club and Walmart stores. 
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, a generous donor of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, is holding its annual Walk for a Healthy Community this spring in Pittsburgh and Erie. Please visit www.walkforahealthycommunity.org for more information. When you register, please be sure to check the Make-A-Wish Foundation as your charity of choice.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield underwrites the cost of this walk so that 100% of all donations will benefit the organizations involved.
| 
A special thanks to Macy's for its annual Thanks for Sharing and Believe campaigns, which raised more than $100,000 for our chapter during the holiday season. Macy's continued support has helped bring hope, strength and joy to children living with life-threatening medical conditions throughout our territory. |
| 
| 
Santa Claus visits five-year-old Alecia and other pediatric patients at the Cabell Huntington Hospital as part of Macy's Believe Bus Tour. Thanks to The Herald Dispatch for capturing this magical moment.
Wish kid Megan enjoys the Light Up Night festivities as she mails her letter to Santa at the Macy's in downtown Pittsburgh as part of the store's Believe campaign. | | |
| | |
Wish child Caitlin writes a note to Santa at the Lehigh Valley Macy's Believe Desk.
|  | |
| | |
|
