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!