Charities:Layout 1
3/16/11
10:09 AM
Page 64
CHARITIES
creating the opportunity to increase the Foundation’s outreach efforts. “For more than 20 years, I have had the privilege of doing something so simple, yet so life-changing, for children,” Jordan says. “It’s always inspiring for me to see the smiles and joy that each child experiences. It’s an honor to serve as the Foundation’s Chief Wish Ambassador and enable more children to receive their fondest wishes.”
WISHES GRANTED AT MJCI Wish kids and their families have become a special part of the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational. In 2009, then 7-year-old Donovan traveled from California to meet his basketball hero. Donovan peppered Jordan with questions From a boy’s simple wish to be a police
officer,
the
Make-A-Wish
Foundation® has grown into one of the
his dedication to the Make-A-Wish® mission
about basketball, baseball, golf and the
through the years, the Foundation named
athletes he enjoys watching today.
Jordan its Chief Wish Ambassador.
64 |
MICHAEL JORDAN CELEBRITY INVITATIONAL
world’s leading children’s charities.
As he and his family were getting ready
As Chief Wish Ambassador, Jordan
to leave, Donovan had one last thing to say to
A group of compassionate volunteers in
serves on the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s
his idol: “It was almost worth getting cancer
Phoenix pitched in to grant Chris’ police wish
Wish Ambassador Council and assists in
because I got to meet you.”
more than 30 years ago. Their spirit of
expanding wish-granting outreach across
generosity continues today as nearly 25,000
the United States. The
the ceremonial first pitch
volunteers across the country help the
council is composed of
for the MJCI celebrity
Foundation make the wishes of children with
people passionate about
softball game. He also met
life-threatening medical conditions come true.
the Foundation’s work.
several
Every 40 minutes, the Foundation and its
Last year, Maine teen Travis tossed out
of
his
favorite
Among its members are
athletes while hanging out
volunteers grant a child’s wish in the United
Make-A-Wish
on
States. It’s a moment that creates a life-
celebrities and national
affirming experience for not only wish kids,
sports figures, former wish
but also families, friends, donors, sponsors
children, wish parents and
Marc
and sometimes entire communities that
other
Pennsylvania
become part of the wish.
supporters.
Michael
Jordan
is
one
of
the
team
benches
This week, 16-year-old from
eastern will
meet
Jordan for his wish and enjoy Make-A-Wish
some celebrity treatment of
Foundation granted 13,582 wishes in 2010, the most in its
the
during the game.
Foundation
The
MICHAEL JORDAN, CHIEF WISH AMBASSADOR
founders,
history.
Yet
the
his own during the MJCI. Wish kid Travis delivers the ceremonial first pitch during last year’s Michael Jordan Celebrity Softball Challenge.
The
Make-A-Wish
Foundation thanks Michael
Foundation’s most enduring wish granters,
Foundation estimates 27,000 children are
and everyone with the MJCI and ARIA Resort
fulfilling the dreams of more than 185
diagnosed with a life-threatening medical
& Casino for helping make Marc’s wish an
children to meet him since 1988. Because of
condition in the United States each year,
unforgettable experience!