SEPTEMBER 2023
NEWSLETTER
Enterprise Rent-A-Car Surprises Wish Kid Adonis Make-A-Wish was invited to attend Enterprise’s Manager’s Summit in Montgomery, Texas. In front of more than 150 managers and senior leaders of Enterprise, President and CEO Shelly Millwee spoke about the mission and local impact of Make-A-Wish. Then, the crowd recognized wish kid Adonis and his family. As Adonis was coming to the stage, everyone in the audience prepared the surprise ... when Adonis turned around, he saw hundreds of people wearing Mickey ears, and Enterprise leaders announced his wish to go to Disney World would be granted! Feel the energy in the family’s video here! Enterprise has launched their annual employee giving campaign, and Make-A-Wish was the No. 1 choice among Enterprise employees to be the beneficiary. In only two years, the combined impact of Enterprise’s employee donations and corporate gifts has totaled $330,000!
The Learning Experience Raises $70,000! After raising nearly $70,000 for local wishes, the staff at The Learning Experience Bella Terra hosted a send-off party for wish kid Matthew before his trip to Disney Land! We are pleased to partner with TLE, which has 17 Houston locations for daycare and early childhood education.
“It was a wonderful vacation without any worries. We could focus on enjoying our time together as a family and celebrating Matthew and nothing else. We are overwhelmed with gratitude.” --Matthew’s Mom
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SEPTEMBER 2023
FORT BEND ISD NAMES SCHOOL AFTER WISH KID ALYSSA In January 2014, two days after her 12th birthday, Alyssa was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. In August 2014, our chapter granted her wish to dig a water well for a village in Africa. Her inspirations for her wish were the book, A Long Walk to Water, and her faith. After Alyssa passed away in January 2017, her family created Alyssa’s World Changers Fund to continue providing water wells to communities in need across Africa and Asia. On October 15, Fort Bend ISD is hosting a dedication ceremony for the Alyssa Ferguson Elementary School, which opened this fall.
UPCOMING EVENTS CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL UPCOMING EVENTS ALYSSA FERGUSON ELEMENTARY DEDICATION OCTOBER 15; 4:30 PM 1300 HERITAGE PARK DR.; MISSOURI CITY; 77459
SUN & SKI SPORTS FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN OCTOBER 2-NOVEMBER 30 CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION FRIENDS FOR WISHES BBQ COOKOFF OCTOBER 28 WALLER COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION WISH BALL | AMONG THE STARS MAY 3, 2024 THE POST OAK HOTEL (HOUSTON) CLICK HERE TICKETS, SPONSORSHIPS, AND AUCTION INFORMATION
Make-A-Wish received a first-time grant of $15,000 from the Stuller Family Foundation. Based in Lafayette, LA, this foundation is a new supporter of our mission as we continue to build relationships in Louisiana. 02 / 05
SEPTEMBER 2023
40 Years of Wishes in Texas Gulf Coast & Louisiana! This year marks a major milestone for Make-A-Wish as our chapter celebrates 40 years of granting wishes for children across southeast Texas and Louisiana. To commemorate the 10,800+ wishes granted since our inception in 1984, you will see our anniversary logo on all materials during this fiscal year. THANK YOU for four decades of support!
RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR...
After a record-setting fiscal year, the Make-A-Wish team took time to celebrate and begin planning an even bigger 2024! Joined by our staff from Louisiana, we spent a day reflecting on each department’s accomplishments in service of our wish families, followed by a planning session to discuss new ideas and opportunities for the chapter. Then, it was time to unwind at our national corporate partner, Painting with a Twist! There were lots of laughs, music trivia, and even a dance contest as we created our wish-themed dandelion masterpieces. 03 / 05
SEPTEMBER 2023
CHRISTIAN GOES TO HAWAII! Wish kid Christian, age 8, battling cancer and leukemia, had his wish granted to go to Hawaii in late September. He had an unforgettable time playing on the beach, relaxing in the hot tub, and exploring the waterfalls! After the trip, Christian’s mom shared, “Thank y’all for everything! We are so grateful and blessed!”
THANK YOU to NOV for taking Make-A-Wish “Out to the Ballgame” at the annual Diamonds and Derricks tournament. That morning, NOV surprised wish kid Edgar with the news that he would soon be on his way to Hawaii! Edgar’s wish is the third of four that NOV has committed to granting this year!
MISSION DELIVERY WISHES GRANTED CURRENT YEAR TO DATE
WISHES GRANTED PREVIOUS YEAR TO DATE
QUALIFIED REFERRALS YEAR TO DATE
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SEPTEMBER 2023
FRIENDS FOR WISHES GOLF TOURNAMENT IS A “HOLE IN ONE” On September 18, Friends for Wishes held their inaugural “Golfing for Wishes” tournament at Wildcat Country Club in Houston. It was gorgeous day for golf, and the Friends for Wishes leaders and volunteers created another amazing event to go with the BBQ Cookoff and Fishing Tournament. The golf tournament raised nearly $50,000! The star of the show was precocious wish kid Sailor, pictured here with Friends for Wishes founder Norman Walker.
The Wish Ball is Officially Launched! On October 5, we announced the first Make-A-Wish gala in Houston, to be held May 3, 2024. Themed “Wish Ball | Among the Stars,” the gala will celebrate 40 years of wish granting and honor Kay and Tommy Austin. Tommy co-founded Make-A-Wish America in 1980. More Wish Ball information, including ticket sales, entertainment, and sponsorship opportunities, can be found at www.wishballhouston.org
WELCOME, SAVANNAH! On September 13, we welcomed Savannah Martin to the development team as our new Donor Care Specialist. Reporting to Jessica Ansel, VP of Philanthropy, Savannah is responsible for tracking development efforts and donor information in Salesforce, gift entry and acknowledgements, and managing donor stewardship efforts. Savannah has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications with a minor in Psychology from Texas A&M University. To view all of our open positions, please click here.
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3340 Severn Ave., Ste. 350 Metairie, LA 70002
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