Make-A-Wish Metro New York and Western New York’s Post

23 years ago today, the world changed forever. The New York City Fire Department faced the largest rescue operation in history, and in just 2 hours, they managed to save 20,000 lives. They rushed toward danger, putting the lives of strangers above their own. Wish kid Jake was inspired by their resilience. While in the hospital with leukemia, Jake watched a 9/11 documentary and was moved by the strength of the first responders. "When I watched that, it gave me the strength to keep going and stay positive during my treatment." – Jake. 12 years ago, his wish to meet the FDNY Chief was granted, sparking his interest in becoming a firefighter himself. Today, we honor the memory of those we lost, recognize the courage of survivors, and extend our deepest gratitude to the first responders whose bravery still inspires us and our wish kids. 💙 #NeverForget

Looking to grant wishes this school year? There are countless ways to get involved! Whether it’s organizing your own fundraiser, rallying WishMakers at your school, or starting a campus club, our Kids for Wish Kids and WishMakers On Campus programs make it easy for kids and schools to come together and give back. Visit https://bit.ly/4dEGD9n to make wishes come true this school year! ✏️💙🌟

A cancer diagnosis is never easy, especially when you're a teenager trying to figure out your identity in the world. As September kicks off #ChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth, we're hearing from Briana, a wish kid who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer as a teenager. "I felt like I wasn't rushed to grow up, but pushed," said Briana. Briana is still waiting for her wish, but she knows she wants to use it to give back to other kids living with childhood cancer. This September, you can #GoGoldForWishes and help grant life-changing wishes for cancer patients like Briana by visiting https://bit.ly/3X4GS6t. 💛🌟🎗️ #WishInWaiting

All summer long, we've been sharing stories from our #SummerOfWishes, and no one has been more closely involved with these wishes than our Director of Wish Relationships, Kelly. 💫 Kelly has been with Make-A-Wish for about 24 years, leading her Wish Relationship team, who speak directly with wish families to get to the heart of each wish. "Having a job that you never dread going to or getting up for is what keeps me going. I really love it." During the summer, wish-granting nearly doubles. Kelly credits collaboration across the organization and the Mission Team for not only making these wishes possible but also creating unforgettable experiences for families. "It's been a great summer coming out of the pandemic. We were very busy and exceeded our goals. It all comes down to the team—they made it possible to grant this many wishes and gave us the capability to do even more." There's still time to make wishes come true for kids this summer before the back-to-school season kicks off next week! Visit https://bit.ly/3Xpe9L4 to donate today. ☀️

Delta Air Lines is helping wish kids like Darrien reach new heights! 🌟   For his wish trip, Darrien wanted to visit New York City, but he had one special request—to fly with Delta Air Lines! After spending a week in New York, Delta Air Lines gave him the VIP experience. He visited the Delta Sky Lounge, received a Delta goodie bag, and even got to sit in the front seat of the cockpit!   "The Delta Sky Club lounge was great. I also got a tour of the flight deck and the cockpit twice. My favorite part was the airport itself. They also gave me a lot of things from Delta, like a Delta backpack and a notebook that I can use as my diary. My absolute favorite is the Delta Air Line aircraft model they gave me. This is my favorite thing I can use." Said wish kid, Darrien!   Wishes would not be possible without the support of our corporate partners. Thank you to Delta Air Lines for helping Darrien's wish take off! ✈️💫 Make-A-Wish America Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area

Wish mom and volunteer Kate S. doesn't just seize opportunities to support Make-A-Wish—she creates them. As Marketing Manager of Insurance and Financial Services at AAA Northeast, Kate constantly finds ways to engage her coworkers and family and wish it forward after her daughter Jane's wish. 🌟 Kate shared that her daughter's wish trip to Disney World came at the end of her treatment for a brain tumor when she was three years old. For her family, Jane's wish represented closure and a fresh start. Kate decided to share her story with AAA's Charitable Giving Committee, which led to Make-A-Wish becoming one of their top charities. She joined the committee herself in 2019 and has since helped keep Make-A-Wish top of mind for those in her circle. One of Kate's core beliefs is that you don't have to have all the answers to get involved—anyone can contribute to making a difference. "Listen to what the needs are and get creative. Maybe you can't donate financially. Maybe time is a factor. So, think 'what else can I do?' Maybe you have a resource that can be used. Staying out there, getting creative, and using your network—you can bridge a path," Kate said. There are countless ways to get involved with Make-A-Wish, and Kate's role as a Long Island Advisory Board Member, wish mom, and AAA Charitable Giving Committee member is proof that impact can look different for every community member. If you're looking to create your own ways to get involved, visit https://bit.ly/4dDyn9I.

Here at Make-A-Wish Metro and Western New York, our mission is to grant life-changing wishes to all eligible children. In a region that speaks 800 languages, we strive to provide families with highly accurate and comprehensive information in their native language. Thanks to our bilingual volunteers like Sami Shaker, we can create an equitable and inclusive Make-A-Wish experience for everyone.   Sami has been a wish volunteer for ten years and has recently added a new role focused on translating Wish Alumni documents from English to Arabic. "I want to help comfort and cheer children and families suffering from critical illness," said Sami. By helping us reach more Arabic-speaking families in the Metro New York area, Sami is excited to help families "create happy, joyful memories together."   This translation project is part of our ongoing efforts to continually improve and better serve our community. Sami is ensuring that our Arabic-speaking families receive the most accurate translated documents, and we need your help to reach our other top languages. When we can communicate in a family’s preferred language, we’re not just granting a wish—we’re fostering trust, breaking down barriers, and ensuring that every child feels seen, heard, and valued. To become a bilingual volunteer and help us connect with more families, visit the link below to get started. https://bit.ly/3Mdf1w2

Calling all wish families and friends! Celebrate the end of summer and back-to-school with CompletePlayground! CompletePlayground is the first nonprofit Inclusive Center for children of all needs and abilities, located in the heart of Lower Manhattan at 30 Broad St. Whether it's developmental programs like Martial Arts, Yoga, Occupational Therapy, Arts and Crafts, or enjoying the sensory play area featuring a multi-level obstacle maze, interactive games, gymnastics areas, a climbing wall, a bouncy house, trampolines, and a LEGO room—this is a playground for all kids of all abilities and backgrounds. Interested in an open play night or hosting your birthday party at CompletePlayground? 💫 Use code WISHPLAY for 50% off Open Play Passes on weekdays. 💫 Use code WISH100 for $100 off Birthday Parties. Codes are valid until September 30th for our followers to explore this amazing Inclusive Center where all kids can play, learn, and thrive! Visit https://bit.ly/3WNTkrj for more information.

Help us grant wishes this summer with the New York Liberty! 🏀🗽✨ In a new partnership with the Barclays Center, we invite you and your network to cheer on the New York Liberty this summer while helping to grant wishes! By using the link https://lnkd.in/dv_8m4D9, $10 from every ticket sale will go back to Make-A-Wish Metro New York. Whether attending with your family, friends, or colleagues, we hope you can make it out to Barclays Center this summer!