OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF MAKE-A-WISH® ORANGE COUNTY AND THE INLAND EMPIRE
I wish to be a pop star Kaylin, 8 gastrointestinal disorder Photo: Brett Padelford Photography
Photo: Amanda McKinnon
Refer a child today!
I wish to be a veterinarian Nominee, 5 acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Letter From the CEO and Board Chair
A Year of Change We would like to take a moment and thank you for your continued dedication and support of our wish children, their families and our organization. We know that the power of a granted wish extends far beyond a moment in time and is everlasting. So far, 2019 has proven to be very eventful. This March we had an exciting Swish Madness event at Romano’s in Riverside where more than 150 attendees joined in for a day of basketball along with sports legends Bill Walton, Sam “Bam” Cunningham and Laffit Pincay. Together, they raised $30k to support wish children. Stephanie McCormick President & CEO
In April, more than 300 women came together to attend the Women’s Circle of Wishes It’s in the Bag event at the Fashion Island Hotel in Newport Beach. This year’s theme was the Kentucky Derby and we heard from wish alum Tiana who wished to meet her favorite racehorse. The women raised enough to grant 30 wishes. Congratulations! In addition to all the new and exciting things our chapter is participating in this year, it’s also a time for change. In September, Stephanie McCormick will be stepping down from her position as President and CEO of the organization. During her tenure, the chapter granted the greatest number of wishes in its history, she created a Gold Standard Board of Directors and the chapter has won numerous awards for its wish-granting and fundraising initiatives. Stephanie will be moving back home to Indiana to be closer to her children and grandchildren.
Janine Lombardi FY19 Board Chair
Additionally, Janine Lombardi will be passing the gavel to Komron Tarkeshian who will begin serving as the chapter’s Chairman of the Board. The chapter is grateful for Janine’s leadership and insight over the past two years. Have an incredible summer!
Help create trips that transform. I wish to go to Ireland Brianna, 17 leukemia
ocie.wish.org/flight
Where There’s A Wish, There’s A Way! You can Be The Way to help grant 100 wishes. On April 29, we celebrated World Wish Day - the 39th anniversary of the wish for then-7-year-old Chris Greicius that inspired the very start of Make-A-Wish. This is a celebration of the hundreds of thousands of life-changing wishes that have been granted – and the thousands of wishes still to come. Now, more than 315,000 children in the United States and its territories have benefited from the hope, strength and joy of experiencing their one heartfelt wish. Across America, 15,600 wishes were granted last year alone – on average that’s one wish every 34 minutes. But for every wish granted, another child is diagnosed with a potentially qualifying condition. And this is a child who needs a wish. Our chapter has granted more than 6,300 wishes since we opened our doors in 1983. Last year, we granted 340 wishes and this year, we’re working hard to reach 348. Granting wishes sounds so easy but with an average wish cost of $7,500, without you, it’s impossible. We are truly grateful to announce that in celebration of this milestone day and to help us grant the wish of Every Eligible Child, Community Philanthropist, Joel Sprague, has made a generous gift of $75,000. “As a donor, I couldn’t be more impressed with Make-A-Wish,” Joel said, “This is not a last wish for a dying child, but rather a life-changing joyous experience that improves the health outcomes.” We encourage you to join Joel and help grant 100 wishes before September 1st, to stand strong together and show these wish children that where there’s a wish, there’s a way. Be The Way! Thank you for your generous support of our mission. Most of all, thank you for giving these children hope.
I wish to be a pop star Kaylin, 8 gastrointestinal disorder
Photos: Brett Padelford Photo: Erin Shimazu Photography
Photo: Erin Shimazu Photography
Kaylin Takes The Stage “Kaylin! Kaylin! Kaylin!” Cheers erupted as 8-year-old Kaylin exited her limo and made her way through the crowded halls of Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA). More than one hundred of her cheering fans were waiting for selfies and autographs as Kaylin prepared for the performance of a lifetime. As she stepped into the spotlight, her family and friends knew what this moment meant to the girl who has been battling a gastrointestinal disorder since birth. Days and months are spent in and out of the hospital, for 16 hours a day she is hooked up to a nutritional pack and time is often spent away from loved ones. Although difficult and draining, treatment is where Kaylin learned about her latest passion. It was by chance a musical therapist stopped into her hospital room one day and Kaylin fell in love with singing and the way music provided an outlet for her pain. Now, in front of her most dedicated fans, she was able to sing and dance to six of her favorite songs. Students from OCSA’s MONTAGE! Group served as her band, backup dancers and singers. Kaylin’s performance was met with a standing ovation along with many tears and smiles. “Thank you for being my fans. It means so much to me,” Kaylin said as she took her final bow. To watch Kaylin’s performance, visit ocie.wish.org/Kaylin A huge thank you to Orange County School of the Arts, Joe Yakob Films and Brett Padelford Photography for making Kaylin’s wish special.
Richard Davis, far right, stands with our Board of Directors.
A Visit From Richard Davis Our chapter was honored to host Richard Davis, the new President and CEO of Make-A-Wish America this past April. Davis, who joined the organization in January of this year, stopped by the Irvine Wish House to meet with chapter staff and its Board of Directors. Previously, Davis served as the executive chairman and CEO of U.S. Bancorp, a financial services holding company with more than $460 billion in total assets and businesses across the United States, Canada and Europe. Davis began his banking career as a teller at age 18 and worked his way through college. He became CEO of U.S. Bancorp in 2006 and chairman of the board in 2007, previously having been a senior executive with the organization and its predecessors since 1993. His outstanding leadership skills were recognized as he was named the “2010 Executive of the Year” by the Twin Cities Business Journal and “2010 Banker of the Year” by the American Banker. We welcome Mr. Davis to the Make-A-Wish family! Kimberly Worsnop, Vice Chair of Women’s Circle of Wishes and Board Member along with Shari Simmons, Chair of Women’s Cirlce of Wishes and Board Member, present Mr. Davis with the total fundraising amount from the It’s in the Bag event.
The Women’s Circle of Wishes hosted its annual It’s in the Bag event on Sunday, April 7 at the Fashion Island Hotel in Newport Beach. More than 300 women joined in for a luncheon with silent and live auctions, games and more. Together, they raised enough to grant 30 wishes. *Photos courtesy Riley Mcdougall and Bob Adams.
It’s in the Bag Sponsors Hope Sponsors:
Strength Sponsors:
Joy Sponsors:
NMLS#174457
Special Thanks:
W ISH G R A NT E D
Below are some of the wishes our chapter granted to children living in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties between December 2018 and April 2019. I wish to go on a shopping adventure Adrian, 12 congenital heart disease
I wish to go to Hawaii Kayla, 18 leukemia
I wish to have a QuinceaĂąera Natasha, 15 heart transplant
I wish to go to San Diego Anthony, 3 cancer
I wish to be a scientist Juan, 9 neuromuscular disorder
I wish to go to Alaska Josephine, 15 neuromuscular disorder
I wish to go to Walt Disney WorldÂŽ Resort Lukas, 15 cystic fibrosis
I wish to give to my hospital Jack, 17 cancer
*Photos courtesy Perfect Focus Photography
NBA Legend Bill Walton stands with wish kids Jaizahn and Josiah.
SWISH MADNESS
This March, we hosted Swish Madness at Romano’s in Downtown Riverside. This fundraiser, centered around college basketball, brought together the local community along with a few sports legends including Bill Walton, Sam “Bam” Cunningham and Laffit Pincay. More than 150 joined in to help raise $30,000 to help grant wishes to children facing critical illnesses.
2019 Swish Madness Sponsors Slam Dunk Sponsors:
PACIFIC PREMIER BANK®
Jump Shot Sponsors:
Foul Shot Sponsors:
Layup Sponsors:
Altura Credit Union Champion Lumber Company Co Hop Beverages Canyon Crest Towne Center Riverside Police Foundation Southern Wine and Spirits
Special Thanks:
I wish to meet the Overwatch Developers Devin, 19
Make-A-WishÂŽ Illinois *Devin pictured center
WISH A SSI ST S P OTLI G HT Blizzard Entertainment has been long time supporter of Make-A-Wish. Year after year they continue to help grant wishes for wish kids all over the world. This past February they welcomed Devin to Blizzard Headquarters, where he had the opportunity to meet the team that brings to life the game he loves!
Special thanks
The Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) Fraternity of Chapman University held its annual Purple Tie event to benefit Make-A-WishÂŽ Orange County and Inland Empire. The evening included dinner, a silent and live auction, fund-a-need as well as a fun round of a head and tail game. In total, the evening raised $88,000. These young men have been fundraising for our chapter since 2010 and have donated more than $200,000 over the years. Interested in getting your school involved with Make-A-Wish? Contact us today at getinvolved@ocie.wish.org
Pictured: Members of Roth Staffing are joined by Stephanie McCormick, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire.
Roth Staffing Grants Wishes! The amazing team at Roth Staffing in Orange, is a new partnership for our chapter and we are so grateful for their support. In their first year granting wishes, they were able to adopt the wish of JJ, whose wish was to visit the Nintendo in New York City. They surprised JJ and his family with a wish reveal party at our long-time partner, Dave & Buster’s! Along with JJ’s wish granters, they revealed all the fun things he was going to be able to do on his trip including a tour of the Statue of Liberty, a ride in a double decker tour bus and a visit to the New York Zoo. Thank you, Roth Staffing for the start of a beautiful partnership! Video: ocie.wish.org/roth
CORPORATE SPOTLIGHT FUN-draising at Work
The rise of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and employee engagement campaigns in the workplace is changing the way many companies are supporting Make-A-Wish! Check out the innovative and fun ways some of our corporate partners support wishes coming true. Get your company involved! Contact us at getinvolved@ocie.wish.org Dave & Buster’s Donates $10 Million to Make-A-Wish America We are so grateful for our long time national and local partnership with Dave & Buster’s. Since 2012, Dave & Buster’s has launched several fundraising initiatives and offered it’s restaurant and arcade services to our wish kids and their families to enhance their wish experience. Not only is Dave & Buster’s one of our largest wish presentation partners, they have been able to raise more than $10 million nationally and close to $200,000 locally. We have three local stores in Ontario, Orange and Irvine that we couldn’t thank enough for helping us grant wishes.
Pictured: Staff from Dave & Buster’s show their support for Make-A-Wish.
EVENT SPOTLIGHT The following are events that raised more than $5,000 between December 2018 through April 2019. 1. Since opening its first casino in Palm Springs, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, has contributed more than $21 million to local, civic and public service agencies, youth groups, healthcare organizations, schools, libraries and food banks. In December of 2018, the tribe hosted their 9th Annual Charity Golf Tournament where they chose Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire to be one of five recipients of $35,000. We are so grateful for Agua Caliente and their Tribal Council for choosing our chapter as a beneficiary this year!
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3. The Irvine Rancho chapter of National Charity League has been a supporter of Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire since 1999. In the 20 years that they have supported our chapter they have donated more than $380,000, helping us grant over 76 wishes! This group of mothers and daughters host a fashion show each year where they honor their junior daughters, the monies raised at this event are donated to Make-A-Wish.
2. We partnered with several community runs this year that benefited our chapter while also promoting good health and exercise. These events gave our volunteers a chance to help out and spread awareness about our mission throughout the community. A huge thanks to the Reindeer Run in Riverside, Avocado Run in Murrieta, OsoFit Run in Mission Viejo and the Tustin Hangar Run!
Interested in hosting an event to benefit local wish kids? Contact getinvolved@ocie.wish.org
The Power of One ONE WISH is more than just a nice thing or a quick moment in time. The wish experience sparks imagination and inspires children to consider limitless possibilities. The result – a lifelong, lasting impact on the wish child, their family and all those involved. You have the power to join the movement and help us grant more wishes this summer! Become a wish warrior and fundraise online to support wish kids.
Become a Wish Warrior ocie.wish.org/warrior
Creating a stronger community together Cox Charities is proud to support Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire and their mission to bring hope, strength and joy to local children with critical illnesses Find out more at CoxCharitiesCA.org
We extend our deepest appreciation to those that have given donations to help fulfill the dreams of our wish children. The following list represents contributors who gave $2,500 or more between December 1, 2018 and April 1, 2019. We apologize if we inadvertently left anyone off the list. CORPORATE DONORS: Access Action Gypsum supply West, L.P. Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians AIRLINX Aircraft Services. Inc. Alexander’s Mobility Services BMW of Riverside CTR Partners, LLC Diagnostic Consulting Network, Inc. Dollar Tree Distribution, Inc. Hayes Martin Associates HUB International Limited Huntington Beach Auto Dealers Association, Inc. Keller Williams - Huntington Beach Ledcor Management Services Inc. Optima Tax Relief Pacific Premier Bank Pieology Red Hat Square 1 Engineering, Inc. Tax & Financial Group The Whittier Trust Company W. Brown & Associates Insurance Services Inc. W. L. Butler Construction, Inc. WinPlus FOUNDATIONS & GRANTS: Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation Champions Volunteer Foundation Chisick Family Foundation Gluck Bradley Foundation-Agency Hasso Philanthropic Foundation
Kramer Family Foundation Patrick M. McCarthy Foundation Stanley W. Ekstrom Foundation The Crean Foundation EVENTS: Fairway to Heaven Golf Tournament IN-KIND DONORS: 454 Creative Adidas AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour Breann C. Yakemonis Cornelia Haag-Molkenteller DisneylandÂŽ Resort Elisa Tarkeshian Enterprise Holding Give Kids The World Kristie Yonemura Magic Coach Transportation Michael R. Danzi Mike Kirby Paty Whitener Sheraton - Waikiki Universal Studios Hollywood William Harold & Sons SCHOOLS & UNIVERSITIES: Eta Upsilon Chapter of Alpha Phi Chapman University Fountain Valley High School Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority Pi Kappa Alpha - UC Irvine
INDIVIDUALS: Anthony and Carie Jernquist-Ferry Bruce A. Greenwood Daniel and Kathy Welden Delbert T. Montoya and Carolyn Chapparo Dorothy M. Booth Charitable Trust Eric H. Hamann Fernando Austin Frederick Jack and Peggy Hanshaw James D. Cooksey Jim and Kathryn Burra John and Lauren Ott Jon McClintock Katherine Smith Kent Russell Mark and Catherine Cardelucci Matthew D. Atherton Michael and Stephanie Vandaele Michael M. Schreter Nirav Gandhi Peter and Alice Tu Raymond and Ellen Hegwer Robert and Ali Bartholomew Roger and Elaine Wheeler Susan Shahidi Thomas and Catherine Ferris W.F, P.J Podlich William and Dottie Feeney
DID YOU KNOW?
44 percent of people believe that Make-A-Wish only grants wishes to terminally ill children.
FACT CHECK:
More than 70 percent of our wish children live long and healthy lives. In fact, many wish children and families say their granted wish has given them the strength to continue their fight by providing them hope and inspiration for the future.
Give hope, strength and joy at ocie.wish.org/donate.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
ESTHER LIN
For more than three years, Esther Lin has dedicated her time and passion to Make-A-Wish. She is currently a wish granter, special event volunteer and a member of our Speaker’s Bureau program. We are truly grateful to have Esther as a volunteer and are honored to spotlight her for her dedication to our mission. Here are a few words from Esther on the impact of volunteering: “It would be a misconception to believe that, because we volunteer and give our time away in granting wishes, we have nothing to take away. That is far from the truth. There is so much to learn from a wish child. It is amazing to watch someone so young be so optimistic and resilient in life. Though I should be the “role model” because I am older than the child, in reality, the child is my role model because I, too, should be optimistic and resilient in my day-to-day life. There are so many things to be grateful for that we often take for granted, but these incredible young children help put life in perspective in an instant. Every time I see a child’s reaction to their wish being granted, the moment is priceless. It is heartwarming to see their excitement and smiles.”
Interested in helping out? ocie.wish.org/volunteer
Esther with wish kid, Azaria
I wish to go to Hawaii JJ, 12 acute myeloid leukemia
ocie.wish.org