VOL 24 ISSUE 2
FALL/WINTER 2015
Wishmaker
Serving children in the 15 counties of the 518 area code since 1987
Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, and Washington counties in upstate New York
DONORS
HONORED
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Walk for Wishes 2015
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BOARD MEMBER
UPDATE
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Night of Exquisite
Tastes 2015
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ENDOWMENT
FOUNDED
with gratitude
from the Board Chairman and CEO
To Our Valued Donors and Volunteers,
This October, Make-A-Wish held the first-ever Global Make-A-Wish Conference in
Anaheim, California to celebrate the 35th anniversary of “the wish that started it
all” – seven-year-old Chris Greicius’ wish to be an Arizona State Trooper for a day in
Phoenix. The conference was truly inspiring, bringing together more than 1,200
colleagues from around the world to celebrate the ambitious work we do to make
magical wishes come true for children and teens with life-threatening medical
conditions. 35 years after Chris’ wish was granted, the Make-A-Wish Foundation
is the world’s premier wish-granting children’s charity, with 63 chapters across the
United States and 40 international affiliates around the world. We are all united by
one mission and vision – to grant the heartfelt wish of every eligible child!
We hope that as you read the stories and profiles featured in this Wishmaker edition,
you too will be inspired by the Wish children, the volunteers, and the donors right
here in our Northeast New York Chapter. Gabe’s wish to give back in memory of a
dear friend is a truly compelling story about hope, strength and joy. The profiles of the
six new trustees elected since last May reflect our continual goal of building a strong
and visionary Board of Trustees. The Arsenault Family represents an exciting new
level of commitment to our mission through their establishment of an endowment
fund that will grant wishes in perpetuity in memory of their son and Wish Alumnus
Bobbie. And recent celebrations of our volunteers in the Capital Region and the North
Country reflect the magnitude of their creativity and dedication to making magical
wishes come true for all of our Wish Kids and Teens.
We are proud to share their stories, as well as the stories of wishes granted in the
past six months. We and our Wish Kids are immensely grateful for your support, as
donors and as volunteers. We wish you and your families a joyous holiday season and
a wonderful New Year in 2016!
Best wishes always,
Reid C. Hutchins
Chairman of the Board
William C. Trigg, III, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Wishmakers is published twice a year
by Make-A-Wish Northeast New York
3 Washington Square
Albany, NY 12205
518.456.9474 (WISH)
Fax 518.782.0618
E-mail [email protected]
www.neny.wish.org
this issue
Board of Trustees
Reid C. Hutchins, Chairman
Advantage Capital Partners
-WISH
A
T
P
A DO
2
Adopt-A-Wish campaign
6
Night of Exquisite Tastes
12
Gala Preview
Brian V. Hannafin, Vice Chair
JW Danforth, Inc.
3
Wish honors a friend
8
Walk For Wishes
13
Board member updates
4
Donor Reception
10
Wishes remembered
14
New endowment fund
Steven Kuring, Secretary
GE Power & Water
Kristen D. Berdar, CPA, CMA, Treasurer
SaxBST
Brian Akley
Gilbane Building Company
Kelly A. Anderson
The AYCO Company, L.P.
Joseph Brousseau
Golub Corporation
James A. Campone, Jr.
NBT Financial Group
Lisa M. Clifford
Key Private Bank
James Considine
Philips Healthcare
Sean M. Doolan, Esq.
Hinman Straub, PC
David Druzynski, Jr.
Auto/Mate
James Giordano
Latham Pool Products
John Hinkle
CommerceHub
Michael P. Lasch
Pine Street Capital Partners
Allison Lauenstein
Global Franchise Group
Sarah McKinney
Microsoft
Gary Sancilio
The Affinity Group, LLC
Joshua Spiegel
Trans-Border Global Freight Systems, Inc.
Chris Walton
Total Facility Solutions/M+W Group
Ex Officio
Chief Executive Officer
William C. Trigg, III, Ph.D.
Medical Advisor
Joanne Porter, M.D.
Albany Medical Center
Staff
15
Catseye support
16
Volunteers honored
cover photo: Wish Kid Gabe at his wish construction site.
18
‘Batkid Begins’
William C. Trigg, III, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
Caryn Anatriello
Director, Mission Delivery
Margot Anderson, CFRE
Director of Philanthropy
Kirsten Broschinsky
Director of Annual Giving
Cindy Conley
Manager, Volunteer Services
Eryn P. Foster
Director, Finance & Operations
Tim Riley
Director, Marketing & Communications
Kyle Elizabeth (Smith) Wixted
Wish Manager
Mackenzie Watroba
Administrative Coordinator & DBA
Regional Coordinator
North Country Patricia MacMannis
FALL/WINTER 2015 / 01
23rd annual
Adopt-A-Wish
campaign
readied
One of the most wellknown and successful
-WISH
fundraising campaigns
A D OPT-A
in the region, the
annual Adopt-A-Wish
campaign for MakeA-Wish Northeast New York is ready for its
23rd year.
Running through the end of the year in area
malls and businesses, and through February in
area schools, the campaign is built upon selling paper star “ornaments” to raise funds to
help make wishes come true for local kids and
teens facing life-threatening medical conditions.
Each of the stars will feature the story of an
amazing wish kid, representing the nearly 100
wishes that the chapter grants each year.
More than 200 volunteers work at the booths
in malls across the area, including former wish
kids and families, wish-granting volunteers,
and some repeat volunteers who plan on this
event year after year. “We’re blessed with
the support of many people, of all ages,” said
Chapter CEO Bill Trigg. “Adopt-A-Wish is our
largest campaign, and it helps raise awareness as well as provides the foundation for our
Wish Program, ensuring that we can grant the
wish of EVERY eligible child. We count on our
volunteers to make it happen, and they come
through for us year after year.”
With a kickoff event at Crossgates Mall
in November, the campaign runs through the
end of the year at Colonie Center, Rotterdam
Square Mall, Wilton Mall, Aviation Mall, and
Champlain Centre in Plattsburgh, as well as
at all branches of First Niagara Bank, and at
many local businesses and schools. As in past
years, each of the paper stars feature the story
and photo of a Wish Child or teen who has
received a wish. The price of the stars ($3 each
at malls and businesses, and just $1 at local
participating schools) helps fund future wishes.
Stars can also be ordered, or donations
made, online at the chapter website www.
neny.wish.org, or by phone at (518) 456-9474.
This year’s “Wish Ambassadors”
featured on the stars include:
Channa
Age 16 • Salem
“I Wish to Go to Israel”
Danielle
Age 6 • East Greenbush
“I Wish to Meet the Disney Princesses”
JULIA
Age 11 • Jay, NY
“I Wish to Have a swimming pool”
MASON
Age 8 • Ticonderoga
“I Wish to Go to Legoland”
FALL/WINTER 2015 / 02
Christian Age 9 • Troy
“I Wish to Go on a beach vacation”
EmMA Age 5 • Niskayuna
“I Wish to Go to Walt Disney World Resort”
NATHAN Age 9 • Ballston Spa
“I Wish to Go Visit the Navy fleet”
MICHAEL
Age 13 • Catskill
“I Wish to Meet Travis Pastrana”
The power of a wish honors a friend
For 11-year-old Gabe, the power of a wish meant giving back, celebrating
friendship, and honoring a legacy that will never fade.
At 6-months-old, Gabe was diaghis entire fight until the very end.
classmates and campers came to
nosed with neurofibromatosis, a
“There was a time where he was so
support Gabe’s wish on May 30. They
highly rare and incurable disease
sick I didn’t even recognize him. He
spent the day painting and staining
which causes the body to produce
was almost bone, but I still knew
the gazebo and doing whatever they
tumors in the central nervous
who he was.”
could to make the barn area look its
system. It was never going to be an
When Gabe found out he was
absolute best.
easy fight, but one thing that made
eligible for a wish and was asked
Gabe’s parents were moved by
it more bearable was a special and
what his heartfelt wish was, there
the turnout and the impact of their
unexpected bond he shared with a
was no hesitation in choosing. He
son’s wish. “It’s overwhelming. It’s
friend named Michael.
was determined to honor Michael’s
really really nice that all of our
Gabe was only six years old
legacy in the way he knew Michael
friends traveled this far to come here
when he met Michael at Double H
would have wanted. Michael loved
today, and do some heavy lifting,
Ranch in Lake Luzerne.
and participate in a hard
Michael was 17 at the time,
work day. We’re thrilled by
Wishes generally fall into four basic categories of
and their moms parked
the turnout today,” said his
“I wish to be”… such as a zookeeper, a disc
next to each other on that
mother, Maureen. His father
first day of camp and began
echoed those sentiments
jockey, or a firefighter); “I wish to meet”…
talking. Michael and Gabe
saying “It means the world
a sports star or entertainer; “I wish to have”…
started talking too, and
to our family. For Gabe to
such as a computer or a backyard playset;
Gabe asked Michael what
have a place to go to where
“I wish to go”… to visit Hawaii, or Walt Disney
disease he had. It was then
he’s safe and secure, a place
World® Resort. Gabe’s wish is one of a new
that the two found out they
where he can be the man.”
unofficial category: “I wish to give back…”
were more alike than they
Michael’s father was
thought -- they shared the
just as moved by the wish,
same disease and from
stating how much it meant
then on they would fight through it
the barn area at the ranch; it was his to his family, “This is a pretty incredtogether.
favorite place. Gabe wanted to honor
ible gift from an 11-year-old, who
Another thing they shared was
him by revamping the barn area, and could have done anything in the
their love for the Double H Ranch, a
for a new gazebo to be placed there
world, but he chose to give back.”
special place providing care, comfort, as a memorial for his friend. Gabe
It has now been five years since
fun, and a sense of normalcy for kids
felt this was the best way to celeGabe became active with Double H
who are battling life-threatening
brate and honor his friend while also Ranch, and now more than ever, it
illnesses. It was a place the boys both giving back to the place they loved
is still very much a part of him. He
treasured and considered a second
so much. “This thing that I’ve done, I is one of many Wish Kids who are
home.
think I will remember him forever.”
also “Ranchers,” and his unique wish
It was 2014 when Michael lost
It was a wish that inspired many to give back will benefit other kids
his battle with his disease. It was
and had a major impact on everyone
facing their own health challenges,
devastating for everyone, but espeinvolved. Hundreds of volunteers,
while honoring a friendship that will
cially Gabe. They shared a unique
including friends, family, Make-Anever fade.
bond and Gabe was there throughout Wish and Double H Ranch staff,
FALL/WINTER 2015 / 03
Celebration of Hope, Strength
and Joy
On May 22, 2015, more than 50 special guests were honored
at the 6th Celebration of Hope, Strength and Joy at the new
Pavilion Grand Hotel in downtown Saratoga Springs.
This exciting event celebrated the
Make-A-Wish mission, and the members of the Societies of Hope, Strength
and Joy, whose cumulative support
ranges between $10,000 and $450,000
per donor, or more than $7.5 million
invested by 131 donors and 10 external fundraisers.
The group, along with nine
members of the Board of Trustees,
heard an update on chapter projects
and progress, and the evening was
highlighted by celebrating two special
Wish Ambassadors and their families.
Wish Teen Channa talked about
her dream of becoming a rabbi, and
how her wish trip to Israel helped her
to connect with her faith and heritage. Channa and her brother Max
also provided entertainment for the
evening, sharing their passion and
love for music.
Also sharing a wish experience
was Wish Dad Jay, who discussed
the impact of the wish received by his
family and son J.P. The 11-year-old
had a unique wish to spend a week at
Walt Disney World, but to stay not in
a hotel but in an RV!
Following the Wish Family testimonials, the donors were inducted
into the Society of Joy, recognizing
those donors whose cumulative
contributions to the chapter total
between $10,000 and $25,000. Next
honored were nine donor inductees
whose cumulative contributions to
the Make-A-Wish Foundation of
Northeast New York total
between $25,000
and $100,000,
bringing them
into the Society
of Hope. Finally,
seven donors
were inducted
into the Society
of Strength,
recognizing their
cumulative
contributions
exceeding
$100,000.
Above, Siena College President Br. F. Edward
Coughlin, O.F.M., Ph.D. of Siena College, with
Margot Anderson and Bill Trigg from Make-AWish at Siena’s induction into the Society of Joy.
FALL/WINTER 2015 / 04
Upcoming Make-A-Wish
events
Mark
your
calendars
NOVEMBER 2015
11/12
Adopt-A-Wish campaign (through December 31, 2015)
DECEMBER 2015
12/1 12/6
12/10
12/11
Giving Tuesday
Wish Family Christmas Party
Adopt-A-Wish Event at Olde Post Grille in Lake George
National Believe Day, Macy’s
JANUARY 2016
1/10
Plattsburgh Bridal Expo
MARCH 2016
3/5 & 3/6
3/19
From last year’s Olde Post Grille event, Wish Kid
Nolan and his father spoke to the crowd.
oftball on Snow
S
Annual Make-A-Wish Gala at Hall of Springs, Saratoga Springs
APRIL 2016
4/29
World Wish Day
Chapter Facts and Figures
History
Make-A-Wish traces its beginning
to one boy’s wish. In 1980, 7-yearold Christopher James Greicius
from Arizona was being treated for
leukemia. Every day, he dreamed
of becoming a police officer. Thanks
to the generosity of some caring
individuals, Chris was sworn in as
the first honorary patrolman in the
history of Arizona. Thus, the Chris
Greicius Make-A-Wish Memorial
– which later became the Make-AWish Foundation of America –
was born.
®
Wish Granting
Volunteer Wish Granters are
assigned to a child after medical
eligibility has been determined.
Wish Granters work in teams of
two and visit the child and family to
determine the child’s heartfelt wish.
Once the wish is approved, the
volunteers work with the chapter
staff to make the wish come true.
Our chapter grants 90-100 wishes
each year and has granted more than
1,600 wishes since 1987.
Funding
Make-A-Wish Northeast New York
is a non-profit, tax exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of
the IRS code and does not receive
any state or federal funding. All
funding comes from individuals,
corporations, grants and special
events. The average cost of a wish
is $10,000.
How To Get Involved
There are several different ways
that individuals and companies
can contribute to the Foundation.
Individuals can become Wish
Granters, volunteer at fundraising
events, help in the chapter office or
serve on a committee. Both individuals and companies can organize
a special event or make a financial
contribution to the chapter.
For more information please
visit our website at www.neny.wish.
org, our Facebook page at www.
facebook.com/makeawishnorth
eastnewyork, or follow us on
Twitter @MakeAWish_NENY!
FALL/WINTER 2015 / 05
Night of Exquisite Tastes an unusual
– and delicious – fundraiser
Nine years and more than $400,000 raised shows
that there can be plenty of fun in fundraising!
The 9th annual Night of Exquisite
Tastes fundraiser was both a fun
event and a fundraising success,
with around 300 people in attendance and raising more than
$40,000. The September 25 soiree
brought the total raised by the event
since its inception to more than
$400,000 to help grant wishes for
local children and teens with lifethreatening medical conditions.
Held at the Mohawk Golf Club
in Schenectady, the evening featured wine, gourmet foods from
leading area restaurants and an
outstanding selection of premium
cigars, along with live music and
great silent auction items. The
event was held in partnership with
Park-Lane Tobacconist of Clifton
Park and Edleez Tobacco of Albany,
and the 300+ in attendance enjoyed
premium beers provided by DeCrescente Distributing Company and
fine liquors and wines provided by
Empire Merchants North.
Restaurant selections were
provided by: Café Nola, Kingsway
Community, Mazzone Hospitality,
Mohawk Golf Club, Primal, The
Ripe Tomato, Salty’s Pub & Bistro,
Villa Italia Pasticceria, Villa Tuscan
Grille, and Yono’s.
Event co-founder and former
Make-A-Wish board president Paul
Bonacquisti lauded the supporters and sponsors, as well as guests.
He said that when the event was
FALL/WINTER 2015 / 06
founded, the goal was to establish
a “unique fundraiser - a business
networking opportunity that brings
together friends and business associates to enjoy the best of life’s
pleasures: gourmet food… premier
label beers, wine, and spirits…fine
cigars, and of course camaraderie…
all to promote and support the
Make-A-Wish mission.”
To the applause of the crowd,
he said “It’s amazing that we raised
such a large sum of money for
Make-A-Wish and had so much fun
doing it!”
Wish Alumnus Scott shared
the story of his wish
Guests enjoyed
the opportunity to
peruse the many
items in the silent
auction, including
sports memorabilia,
as well as the fine
dining.
A Night of
Exquisite
tastes
Wine, Dine and Fine Cigars for Wishes
FALL/WINTER 2015 / 07
2015 Walk For Wishes
a big win – even
without horses!
While the media was focused
on The Travers at Saratoga,
hundreds of human participants
set their own winning pace at the
Second Annual Walk For Wishes
for Make-A-Wish® Northeast
New York on August 29 at
Joe Bruno Stadium in Troy.
The local walk served to
engage Wish Families, volunteers,
corporations, schools and community
groups to raise awareness and
funds to support the mission of
Make-A-Wish Northeast New York.
With more than 400 participants,
40 teams, and $50,000 raised, the
event put everyone in the winner’s
circle.
The two mile walk circled the
baseball field and then headed
through the campus at Hudson
Valley Community College. The
route was family-friendly and
handicap-accessible, and began
with a “Victory Lap” led by Wish
Kids and families.
“Walk for Wishes is a fun
family event, and an opportunity to
celebrate the lives of our wish kids
and families here in the Capital
Region,” said Chapter CEO Bill
Trigg. He added “There are a lot of
winners on hand right here!”
Supporters, families, and wish
kids were honored with special
stars worn by participants, and the
crowd heard a wish mom describe
the impact of a child’s wish on her
entire family. But the surprise
moment was when wish child
Alexander received word that his
wish to visit Winnie the Pooh at
Walt Disney World Resort this fall
FALL/WINTER 2015 / 08
had been granted!
That wish “reveal” brought up
some fitting lines from the famous
Pooh classic:
You are BRAVER than you
believe, STRONGER than you
seem, SMARTER than you think,
and LOVED MORE than you’ll
ever know…
Along with presenting sponsor
Trusted Choice® Independent
Insurance Agents, other event
sponsors included PhRMA, General
Electric, DeLuke Orthodontics PC,
Taconic, Capital District Pediatric
Dentistry and Modern Press.
Venue sponsor was The Tri-City
ValleyCats, food sponsors were
Price Chopper and Freihofer’s
Baking, and media sponsor was
Albany Broadcasting.
You are B
than you
LOVE
BRAVER than you believe, STRONGER
seem, SMARTER than you think, and
ED MORE than you’ll ever know…
FALL/WINTER 2015 / 09
WISHES
‘I wish to go to
Walt Disney World Resort’
®
Shanti, 13, from Albany
Wish Granters: Caryn Anatriello
and Eryn Foster
Wish sponsored by Adopt-A-Wish
campaign
April, 14, from Fort Johnson
Wish Granter: Lorraine Heck
Wish sponsored by the Dominic
Ferraioli Foundation
Marshall, 8, from Diamond Point
Wish Granters: George Sicard and
Scott Liloia
Wish sponsored by Olde Post Grille
fundraiser
Malachi, 16, from Troy
Wish Granters: Karen Pelland and
Kirsten Broschinsky
Nicholas, 10, from Ballston Spa
Wish Granters: Mary Slater, Linda
Tepper and Christine Patell
Wish sponsored by the Penny Harvest
and Adopt-A-Wish campaign
Amelia, 4, from Johnstown
Wish Granters: Sue Williamsen and
Paul Williamsen
Wish sponsored by Adopt-A-Wish
campaign and American Legion Post
337 Golf Tournament
Avery, 3, from Latham
Wish Granters: Melanie LaRose and
Barbara Jariri
Mateo, 3, from Green Island
Wish Granters: Lauri Mullen and
Kimberly Stahl
Wish sponsored by Adopt-A-Wish
campaign
Nishawn, 6, from Schenectady
Wish Granters: Heather Watroba and
Ryan Watroba
Wish sponsored by Gala Fund-A-Wish
Donors
s
Jon, 6, from Albany
Wish Granters: Cathy Scala and
Christine Hyatt
Wish sponsored by Tom Jacon Golf
Tournament and NYSCOPBA
Gregory, 9, from Schenectady
Wish Granters: Toni Cowie and
Peter Cowie
Wish sponsored by Kingsway Golf
Tournament
Javier, 13, from Albany
Wish Granter: Caryn Anatriello
Wish sponsored by Adopt-A-Wish
campaign
Alexandra, 8, from Scotia
Wish Granters: Lisa Leary and
Joleen Cechnicki
Wish sponsored by Gala Fund-A-Wish
Mason, 8, from Ticonderoga
Wish Granters:Rod Mace and Erin Duval
Wish sponsored by Naked Turtle Golf
Tournament
Danielle, 6, from East Greenbush
Wish Granters: Kristin Mihalko and
Cathy Scala
Wish sponsored by Eric Larner
Amanda, 12, from Schenectady
Wish Granters: Deborah Greenbaum
and Lori DeBrino
s
Emma, 5, from Niskayuna
Wish Granters: Nicole Pickel and
Emily Trombley
Wish sponsored by John Nigro
Aajon, 4, from Troy
Wish Granters: Erin Oliver and
Karen Paquette
Wish sponsored by Adopt-A-Wish
campaign
I wish to MEET
I wish to meet the Ninja Turtles in Florida
Noah, 6, from Hogansburg
Wish Granters: Diane Roberts and
Kismet Bush
Wish sponsored by Naked Turtle Golf
Tournament
SPR/SUM 2013 / 10
I wish to meet the stars of the reality TV show “Dancing Dolls”
Kamari, 11, from Albany
Wish Granters: Sandra Worona and Michael Doyle
Wish sponsored by Gala Fund-A-Wish Donors
WISHES
I wish to GO
I wish to go to Hawaii
Victoria, 9, from Albany
Wish Granters: Cathy Scala and Amy Pollard
Wish sponsored by Richard Prince Studio, LLC
s
I wish to go to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas
William, 4, from Averill Park
Wish Granters: Eileen Berlanti and Kandi Terry
Wish sponsored by Touhey Foundation and AdoptA-Wish Campaign
I wish to go to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas
Nicholas, 5, from Brunswick
Wish Granters: Erin Oliver and
Michelle Arsenault
Wish sponsored by GTM Payroll Services
I wish to go to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas
Isha, 14, from Schenectady
Wish Granters: Thea Yurkewecz and William Benedict
Wish sponsored by Kingsway Golf Tournament
I wish to throw the first pitch
at a Tampa Bay Rays
baseball game
Conner, 18, from Albany
Wish Granters: Kim Corwin
and Mackenzie Watroba
Wish sponsored by the
Hannafin Family
s
I wish to go to the Aquarium in Boston
Sofia, 3, from Mechanicville
Wish Granters: Patty Vartigian and
Rachael Beaudry
Wish sponsored by PIA
I wish to go to visit the Navy fleet in Norfolk, VA
Nathan, 9, from Ballston Spa
Wish Granters: Linda Tepper and Nicholas Wiggins
Wish sponsored by NYS Laborers’ Charity Golf Tournament
s
I wish to go to Florida and stay in an RV at Disney’s
Fort Wilderness
Jay, 12, from Clifton Park
Wish Granters: Dena DeLude and Kaitlyn Kusaywa
Wish sponsored by Kingsway Golf Tournament
s
I wish to go to California
Molly, 16, from Hudson Falls
Wish Granters: Jesse Dashnaw and Eileen Dashnaw
Wish sponsored by the Slote Family
I wish to go to the WWE Smackdown
event in Texas
Keenan, 12, from Albany
Wish Granters: Vicki Nash and Amy Hale
I wish to HAVE
I wish to build a gazebo at Double H
in memory of my friend Michael
Gabriel, 11, from Albany
Wish Granters: Caryn Anatriello
and Kyle Wixted
Wish sponsored by Powmat Ltd.
I wish to have a pool deck
Michael, 12, from Ravena
Wish Granters: Christine Hyatt and
Barbara Jariri
Wish sponsored by Delaware Engineering
I wish to have a big birthday party
Dion, 5, from Troy
Wish Granters: Danielle Sanzone
and Kristina Gallo
Wish sponsored by Gala Fund-A-Wish
donors
I wish to have a camper
rowan, 4, from West Chazy
Wish Granters: Patricia MacMannis
and Diane Duquette-Burl
Wish sponsored by Momot Trailer
Sales, Jewelers for Children
Foundation, and Softball in Snow
Tournament
I wish to have a swimming pool
Julia, 11, from Jay
Wish Granters: Kathy Steele and
Joel Steele
Wish sponsored by Naked Turtle
Golf Tournament
s
I wish to
GIVE BACK
I wish to have a backyard playset
Kahlil, 5, from Gansevoort
Wish Granters: Kara DiCaterino
and Kelly Ayotte
Wish sponsored by Wack’s Ride
Plan for Annual
Make-A-Wish
Gala on
March 19, 2016
Polish up those dancing shoes for
the annual Gala event to benefit
Make-A-Wish Northeast New York,
set for March 19, 2016 at the
Saratoga Hall of Springs.
Always a highlight of the year, this
will be the 18th annual edition of
the black tie affair, which is one of
the most successful such events in
the region. The event celebrates the
nearly 1,600 wishes granted by the
local chapter, as well as helps to
fund the nearly 100 expected to be
granted this year.
As always, the event keeps a focus
on the mission of the organization,
with wish stories shared, and wish
surprises even granted! Also featured at the event will be great food,
musical entertainment from Grand
Central Station, and silent and live
auction items. Add in a full dance
floor and fun photos, and it’s a night
to remember.
Plattsburgh businessman lends
billboards to Make-A-Wish program
Drivers around Plattsburgh had something new to look at recently
-- two prominent billboards donated by local business owners Steve
and Carol Carpenter to promote awareness and support for the local
wish program.
The billboards featured images from two area wishes, one for a
child who wished for a special “night out” and a VIP visit to a SUNY
Plattsburgh hockey game. The other illustrates a boy’s wish for a Star
Wars Weekend at Walt Disney World resort in Florida. The boards,
by Lamar Advertising, featured the wishes for more than a month.
The Carpenters, who operate Liquor and Wine Warehouse,
have been supporters of Make-A-Wish for nearly 20 years, including
participation in events like the Naked Turtle golf tournament, and
local auto racing. In addition to their own support, the Carpenters
are challenging other business owners to step up with billboards,
donations, or sponsorship of a wish.
FALL/WINTER 2015 / 12
Wish kid David in front of the billboard which
featured his wish
Board of Trustees Fills Its Ranks with Six New
Board Members in Recent Months
For the first time in its 28-year history,
the Board of Trustees of Make-A-Wish
Northeast New York, has reached it
maximum membership of 21 board
members. Since May, six new trustees
were elected to the Board after a careful
vetting process by the chapter’s Board
Governance Committee.
The Board of Trustees is responsible
for overseeing the affairs of the chapter,
ensuring that the Make-A-Wish mission
is being fulfilled, setting policies, raising
funds, and working with the CEO and his
team to advance the mission ethically and
in a fiscally responsible manner.
The six new Trustees are:
Joseph Brousseau
Mr. Brousseau is Director of Construction
for the Price Chopper Golub Corporation
in Schenectady. He oversees the construction and/or renovations of the company’s
135+ stores across six states. He has
worked closely with former Foundation
Trustee and Wish Dad, Donald Orlando,
in the company’s Real Estate & Construction Division for many years. His extensive
network of corporate relationships spans
the construction, real estate, and food
service/equipment industries.
Mr. Brousseau serves on the Board
of the Price Chopper Credit Union and
has volunteered with the Tyler DeMarco
Foundation based in Clifton Park, NY.
He resides in Clifton Park and has three
grown sons.
James Considine
Mr. Considine is the Director of Operations and Chain Improvement at Philips
Healthcare, Imaging Systems Division in
Latham. The Imaging Systems Division is
a $4 billion, 5,000-employee global division of Philips that designs, manufactures
and services medical imaging devices.
Mr. Considine is responsible for managing global teams in the areas of process
improvement, operational excellence and
change management.
He is an ardent support of charitable
causes serving children and animals and
addressing poverty issues. Volunteerism is
important to him and his family, as reflected in past years helping with campaigns,
and more recently supporting the chapter’s
Walk for Wishes. He is also using his
expertise to help the program team better
manage the process of how wishes move
through the “pipeline” from referral to the
actual granting of the wish.
Mr Considine resides in Albany with
his wife and two children.
David Druzynski, Jr.
Mr. Druzynski is Director of Human Resources for Auto/Mate Dealership Systems
in Colonie. A graduate of SUNY Geneseo
with a degree in Management, he is
responsible for planning, developing and
directing HR programs and policies in support of automobile dealerships throughout
the Capital Region. He has published
articles and delivered presentations on HRrelated topics at automotive industry events
throughout the country.
His charitable work includes raising
funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma
Society, serving on the board of the
Capital District Java Developers Network,
and even participating in an Ironman
Timberman competition to benefit Make-AWish Maine. His current involvement with
Make-A-Wish Northeast New York will,
among other benefits, help to advance the
talent development efforts of the chapter
relative to both the Board of Trustees and
the professional staff.
Mr. Druzynski is married and resides
in Ballston Spa.
James Giordano
Mr. Giordano is Chief Information Officer
for Latham Pool Products in Latham. With
an MBA from the Lally School of Management & Technology, Mr. Giordano
previously worked at General Electric
in Schenectady in various information
systems and technology roles, transitioning
the company through complicated database upgrades, software enhancements,
and enterprise technologies.
His volunteer experience is also
significant, most notably with the Boy
Scouts of America, in which he currently
serves as a Scoutmaster for a local troop.
He has also been involved in raising funds
for Junior Achievement, Girls, Inc. and
Habitat for Humanity. He comes to MakeA-Wish with strong admiration for the
brand and respect for the positive impact
of a wish experience on families served by
the organization.
Mr. Giordano is married with two
sons and lives in East Greenbush.
John Hinkle
Mr. Hinkle is Executive Vice President and
Chief Information Officer of CommerceHub in Albany, a provider of hosted integration, drop ship fulfillment, and product
content management for multi-channel
e-commerce merchants. Its customers
include many top brands, such as WalMart, Best Buy, QVC, GE, Whirlpool, Dell
and Toys R Us. Mr. Hinkle is responsible
for the operations of the IT and production
systems departments.
Prior to joining CommerceHub, he
was Chief Information Officer and head
of American Operations for Take-Two
Interactive, one of the world’s premier
video game companies. He also served
in leadership positions within TransWorld
Entertainment and General Electric, where
he managed large teams across multiple
markets.
Mr. Hinkle is a former board member
of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Northeastern New York Chapter.
He was actively involved in growing the
reputation and revenues of the chapter,
developing fundraising support and
rallying teams to participate in events.
Make-A-Wish is of particular interest to
him because he is passionate about childrelated nonprofits, especially those in the
healthcare arena.
Mr. Hinkle is married and resides
in Albany.
Allison Lauenstein
Ms. Lauenstein is Vice President of Ice
Cream Brands for the Global Franchise
Group based in Atlanta, Georgia. She has
more than 25 years of experience with
large consumer brand companies including Hyatt and Dunkin’ Donuts. She has a
proven background in marketing, brand
development, public relations and social
media, which she has applied successfully in her current position to make more
than 300 store locations, owned by 250
franchisees, profitable and sustainable.
A graduate of Northeastern University
with an MBA, Ms. Lauenstein’s previous
career was with Dunkin’ Brands where she
developed and executed the strategic marketing plans for Baskin-Robbins. She also
served as the Director of Marketing and
Strategic Planning for the Times Union and
as an independent marketing consultant.
Ms. Lauenstein has a personal
connection to Make-A-Wish: two of her
friends have children with life-threatening
medical conditions, and she has seen how
their wishes have impacted her friends and
their families in a deeply positive way.
She resides in Delmar with her husband and two children.
FALL/WINTER 2015 / 13
Arsenault Family Executes First
Make-A-Wish Northeast New York
Endowment Fund to Honor Son and
Grant Future Wishes
Make-A-Wish Northeast New York
has established its first Wishes
Forever endowment fund to be
named after Wish Kid Bobbie
Arsenault. Bobbie passed away
in 1998 at the age of 10 after a
courageous battle with cancer. The
Arsenault family recently executed
the official endowment agreement
in his name.
Make-A-Wish Northeast New
York worked closely with Make-AWish America to establish the endowment as part of its Wishes Forever®
program. Wishes Forever is a meaningful and lasting opportunity to grant
wishes in a person’s or family’s name
forever. The Bobbie Arsenault Memorial Endowment Fund, when fully
funded at $150,000, will generate
distributions back to the local chapter
to be used to grant a wish each year.
The Arsenault family and other
friends and supporters have been
extremely active in raising funds to
support the wish program in Bobbie’s
memory, with special events such as
the annual Bobbie Arsenault Memorial Family Day. This event has become
a summer highlight, with live music,
car show, raffles, vendors, auctions,
bake sales, fun and games, BBQ and
much more.
Make-A-Wish Northeast New
York CEO William Trigg, III signed the
executed agreement, and endowment professionals at Make-A-Wish
America will manage and report on
all funds in this endowment in the
years ahead. Wishes are selected by
a Make-A-Wish review committee,
based on the family’s designation.
According to chapter Director of
Philanthropy Margot Anderson, CFRE,
the establishment of the chapter’s first
named endowment will not only help
grant more wishes, but will also aid
in raising awareness with local
philanthropists and supporters.
“The Arsenault family is helping to
advance our mission of granting
wishes for local kids, and this endowment ensures that the impact of their
generosity will continue forever,”
she said.
The Bobbie Arsenault Memorial Family Day
has become an annual summer highlight
and will help fund the endowment.
Legacy
Creating a Wishes Forever legacy is simple.
Call us at (518) 456-9474 and we will assist you at each step toward your forever wish.
FALL/WINTER 2015 / 14
Catseye Pest Control – and
their customers - donate
$10,000 to Make-A-Wish
Northeast New York
The best part of giving
money to Make-A-Wish
is knowing the smiles
it will help create,
the hope it will help
provide and, most
importantly, the wishes
it will help come true,
according to the team
at Catseye Pest Control.
Their check presentation at
Make-A-Wish Northeast New
York signified the completion of
another successful Catseye Cares
for Kids Campaign. Catseye
Brand Manager Ashlea Keene
and Creative Director Geoff
Arbuckle gathered with Make-AWish Northeast New York CEO
Bill Trigg and six-year-old Wish
Ambassador Adam at the local
Make-A-Wish headquarters. Bill
and Adam accepted the $10,000
check from Catseye.
The Catseye Care For Kids
Campaign, a fundraiser that
benefits Make-A-Wish Northeast
New York, is an annual collaborative
effort between the business, staff
and clients. For each Platinum
Program or rodent service sold from
November 2014 through February
2015, Catseye donated $15 to
Make-A-Wish Northeast New York.
In addition, Catseye employees
themselves raised $400 during
“Wear Denim for Wishes Week”
where staff members each donated
$10 to wear jeans at work. Catseye
clients also played a huge role in the
campaign, donating nearly $1,000.
“We want to thank everyone
who helped raise awareness and
donated to the Catseye Cares for
Kids Campaign this year,” said
Ashlea. “We love making a positive
impact on children and families in
our local communities. Make-AWish is an organization that brings
joys to kids and families during a
dark time, we love being a part of
making that joy possible.”
Adam (right) and his brother Josh (left)
helped with the check presentation. Adam
loved meeting Caddie the Catseye Cat.
“He’s like our cat Zippy!” Adam remarked.
Catseye has raised $45,000 for
Make-A-Wish Northeast New York
over the past six years. Make-AWish uses such funding to create
wish experiences that bring “hope,
strength and joy” to children facing
life-threatening medical conditions.
FALL/WINTER 2015 / 15
Volunteers honored at
special events
Granting wishes is the core of what
Make-A-Wish is all about, but
wishes don’t just happen on their
own. Behind every wish are caring
volunteers who donate their time in
many different roles to help make
a child’s heartfelt wish come true.
Each wish experience impacts not
only the wish child, but families
and entire communities as well. No
matter what role that volunteers
FALL/WINTER 2015 / 16
play in our chapter, their tireless efforts are vital in helping us accomplish our mission.
To show appreciation for the
dedication and commitment of all of
the chapter volunteers, the chapter
recently celebrated and honored
them at two Volunteer Appreciation
Events – one in the Capital Region
and one in the North Country.
The following volunteers have
reached significant years of service
milestones with the NENY chapter
in the past year:
Five years: Katie Krzys, Kristin
Mihalko, Ken Rogers, Pete Cowie,
Mary Kenney, Lisa Leary, Vicki
Nash, Zach Ogden; 10 years: Dena
DeLude, Brian Houghton, Melissa
Mose, Cindy DeMarco, Stephanie
Kelly; 20 years: Mildred Anameier
and Patty Seeberger.
Raising funds locally
for local wishes
We thank the following individuals, groups and
organizations for the wide range of fundraisers
they conducted for benefit of our wish program.
COMMUNITY
FUNDRAISERS
Tech Valley Charity Golf Tournament
$50,000
Kingsway Community Charity
Golf Tournament
$34,550
Wish Jump 2015
$31,931
Wack’s Ride 2015
$30,850
SP-Livingston Golf Tournament
$20,750
Carson’s Woodside Tavern Grand Opening
and Golf Tournament
$4,600
Sarah McKinney’s “Party with a Purpose”
$3,380
Adirondack Shelby Mustang Club Car Shows
$2,200
Pepsi-Latham’s Basket Raffle and Bake Sale
$2,146
CFA Insurance Auto Show
$2,000
Plumbers and Steamfitters Local No. 7 11th Annual Charity Golf Tournament
$1,400
Naked Turtle Golf Tournament
$18,190
The Phil Sweeney Memorial Tournament Troy Modified Softball League
$1,200
New York State Laborers’
Golf Tournament
$18,000
Ryan’s Fishing Tournament
$1,108
NYSCOPBA Motorcycle Raffle
$15,000
American Legion Robert Lee Walsh
Post #337 Golf Tournament
$10,660
Bobbie Arsenault Memorial and
Family Fun Day
$8,300
Play It Forward 2015 Golf Tournament
$7,500
Team Dame Golf Tournament and BBQ
$5,000
The 11th annual Hallberg Family Birthday
Party raised more than $4,600, and the
family dropped by to make it official
Bayside Clam Bar and Grill’s 2015 Snapper Derby
$1,000
Hudson Correctional Facility Memorial Golf
Tournament
$1,000
KIDS FOR WISH
KIDS EVENTS
®
11th Annual Hallberg
Family Birthday Party
$4,610
Samantha Gorelik’s Bat Mitzvah Project
$3,407
The Bolton Dance Academy’s Fundraiser
$2,500
Red Mill Elementary’s Character Walk
$1,921
Troy School No. 14
$1,050
Saint Pius X School’s Dodgeball Tournament
$829
MetroHead Concert
$809
River Road Campground Fundraiser
$560
Tutor Time’s Lemonade Stand and Star Sale
$686
Pepsi-Latham’s Potluck
$460
William B. Tecler Arts in Education Magnet
School - Pie the Teacher Fundraiser
$634
Colonie Police Benevolent Association’s
Mustache Contest
$400
Grand Opening Party at The Venue
$200
West Sand Lake Popcorn Day in honor of Demi
Sutton
$500
Ella Westfall’s Birthday
$470
Steven Hummel and the Selkirk Fireman’s Fair
$312
Steven Hummel raised funds
for wishes as part of our Kids
for Wish Kids program for the
second year in a row at the
Selkirk Fireman’s Fair back in
July. He’s pictured here with
members of the firehouse that
supported his efforts!
Shaker Senior High Benefit Concert “Fixed Fate”
$215
Gloversville Enlarged District Class of 2018 Donation
$200
Blue Creek Elementary - Carol Kemp’s
4th Grade Class
$161
Ryder Elementary School’s Annual Reading
Celebration Service Project
$141
FALL/WINTER 2015 / 17
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Albany, New York
Permit No. 549
3 Washington Square, Albany, NY 12205
Documentary ‘Batkid
Begins’ screened
locally for supporters
– and Batman even
attends
Albany’s Spectrum Theater recently hosted a special screening of
Batkid Begins, to benefit Make-A-Wish. The documentary film
explored the unique Batkid wish in 2013 that transformed San
Francisco into Gotham City, and drew the attention of the world.
Wish families, volunteers, supporters, and staff attended,
starting with a sweet stop at Emack & Bolio’s, then a walk to the
theater. Batman himself posed for photos in the lobby
before the film, and television crews covered the event. Chapter
CEO Bill Trigg noted that the
Batkid wish was unusual in
terms of its public impact,
but it showed the “behindthe-scenes” efforts and
commitment which go into
every wish!
Special thanks to Batman, the Spectrum, and
Emack & Bolio’s for raising
funds and awareness, and
making it a truly memorable
event!