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The Make-A-Wish Foundation of MA grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. We strive to provide a meaningful and carefree experience for the child and lasting, positive memories for the entire family. We fulfill wishes with the hope of offering a welcome respite and just plain fun.

Make-A-Wish is the largest and oldest wish granting organization in the world. More than 97,000 wishes have been completed since 1980 and more than 10,300 wishes were fulfilled last year alone. Because the immediate family is included whenever possible, Make-A-Wish makes a positive impact on thousands of individuals annually. There are presently 78 chapters in the United States and its territories as well as 25 International affiliates spanning five continents.

Description:
Fulfilling a "Wish"
To qualify for a wish, a child must be between the ages of 2½ and 18. Families generally learn about Make-A-Wish through the health care professionals who look after their children. When the family contacts our Chapter, a team of two specially trained volunteers arranges to meet the child to learn about his or her wish. After approval by the Board of Directors, the wish team plans all the details to make the wish happen.

Our Foundation has fulfilled many different types of wishes although the majority fall into four categories: "I want to go...", "I want to have....", "I want to meet..." or "I want to be..." . Usually, a wish is limited only by a child's imagination.

Funding
The average cost to fulfill a child's wish has been approximately $6,000 which includes in-kind donations of goods and services valued at $2,000. There is no cost to the family-- all expenses are covered by the Foundation. Financial support for our Chapter comes primarily from the general public through donations and organized benefits. Corporations and their employees have funded individual wishes and contributed goods and services to help realize children's wishes. Our volunteer Special Events Committee organizes fundraisers and provides support to community groups who organize fundraisers to benefit the Foundation. Funds raised locally throughout the Massachusetts regions are used to fulfill wishes for children residing in these local communities.

Our Chapter's fundraising and administrative costs have remained low due to our reliance on our many volunteers. The audited financial statement from our 2000-2001 Fiscal Year showed that a full 80 cents of every dollar expended by our Chapter was devoted to wish granting and program services. Make-A-Wish Foundation does not allow telephone solicitation for funds and does not authorize such solicitation on our behalf.

Make-A-Wish Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and contributions are deductible
for income tax purposes to the extent provided by the law.

History:
The Boston office of the Massachusetts Chapter was organized in 1984 and serves children residing in the Eastern Massachusetts' counties of Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket. During our 2000-2001 Fiscal Year, the Boston office fulfilled 191 special wishes. Our Regional office is located in West Springfield and serves children residing in the Western and Central Massachusetts counties of Berkshire, Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, and Worcester counties. Last year, the Regional office fulfilled 68 special wishes. Since 1984, over 2,100 wishes have been fulfilled for children in Massachusetts.

Contact person: Krista Bishop, Volunteer Manager, (phone), (email)

Address:

One Bulfinch Place, 2nd Floor Boston, MA 02114 (See a map)

Directions:

Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Government Center- Green Line,   Walk distance (in minutes): 5   Nearest Bus Stop: Many, 5 minute walk For maps or information, please see http://www.mbta.com