New year, new digs!

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of MichiganBelieve it or not, behind those shiny stars and Disney trips and behind the shopping adventures and magical get-a-ways, there are budgets, wish travel arrangements and office supplies. The behind-the-scenes and more practical aspects of our Make-A-Wish magic!

In addition to granting extraordinary wish experiences, being responsible stewards of our donor dollars is top priority as we maintain and enhance the magic for our wish children. We are always assessing the best ways to most effectively steward our donors’ gifts. This year, as we looked at our office locations, it made fiscal and geographic sense to move our headquarters from Ann Arbor to Brighton. So on Monday, August 30, Brighton — here we come!

As you can see by the photos, we will not be lacking for color to maintain our vibrant décor!
 Blue WallGreen and Orange WallGreen Wall
Each of our “homes” are important to us – our locations in Brighton, Southeast Michigan and West Michigan are all within close proximity to our main referral hospitals in Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Northern Michigan. And all of them are welcoming and buzzing with staff and volunteers working to grant as many wishes as possible.

August 31 also marks the end of Fiscal Year 2010 – another year in Michigan that has not been kind economically, yet our Michigan community continues to endure and support our courageous wish children in the midst of their health challenges. Thank you!

Fiscal year 2010 included a successful and inspiring Wish-A-Mile 300 Bicycle Tour and had a wonderful debut of the WAM 50 one day ride. And who can forget the Dancing with the Make-A-Wish Stars in West Michigan or the fun-filled (although chilly!) Walk For Wishes at the Detroit Zoo? Just around the corner…our Grand Rapids Walk for Wishes (join us on September 18!).

In between these events, our Michigan children and their families rediscovered each other when they were given the opportunity to be together, on a wish, away from daily stresses of facing illness and the pushes and pulls that come with that journey. Our families saw faces and places they never thought possible. Some look out their doors at playscapes and pools and others leaf through scrapbooks and are reminded that they are not alone in facing their battles.

We anticipate granting 365 wishes in FY 2011 – a wish a day taking place in our Michigan community! Your support and contributions make this possible and help our wish children realize laughter and joy as they bravely battle their illnesses.

The inspiring and unwavering perseverance of our families keep us all going, and we’re so glad that you – our wonderful supporters and wish families – are here with us, every step of the way.

It’s very true that “home is where your heart is…” and our home, wherever that may be, is always filled with wishes, love and heart-warming stories.

Come see us if you are in the neighborhood!

Our locations:

Headquarters
2300 Genoa Business Park Drive
Brighton, MI 48114
734.994.8620

Southeast Michigan
4807 St. Antoine, G67
Detroit, MI 48201
313.833.9100

West Michigan
2900 E. Beltline
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
616.363.4607

Toll free: 800.622.WISH (9474)
Web: www.wishmich.org

13
August

Kevin Degen 1957-2010: Ride Kevin Ride…

Kevin Degen

Anyone who met Kevin Degen had an instant friend. It was hard not to be taken in by his spirit and his genuine interest in everything around him.
Kevin’s humor and his gift of gab lit up a room – whether it was a gymnasium of cyclists settling in for the night or in front [...]

29
July

A BIG WAM WOW!

The 23rd Wish-A-Mile 300 Bicycle Tour is a joyous memory for hundreds of cyclists, volunteers, wish children and their families. And if there is one word to describe the 2010 ride, it’s inspiration.
Inspiring this year was Nicholas, an amazing 11-year-old wish child who battled through cancer and is now riding for his friend Vinnie as [...]

15
July

Sometimes our wishes are, well… RUFF!

When therapy dogs came to Noella’s hospital room as the toddler was battling leukemia, her mom didn’t realize the impact a little puppy would have on her daughter.
Just past her first birthday, adorable Noella had chronic fevers. The vivacious child who started walking at 10 months old, stopped walking. Doctors told her mom, Jennifer, and [...]

1
July

Leading a Magical Team!

If you are going to lead the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Michigan, it certainly helps if you love Disney! And it doesn’t hurt to have 18 years of experience with the Foundation and thousands of wish memories guiding you. 
That’s Karen Davis. Disney aficionado, tireless supporter of wishes and the last person to bring any attention to [...]

17
June

A Hero’s Welcome!

Coming home to a hero’s welcome is a quite a privilege. It’s reserved for some of life’s most special moments.
Crossing a finish line after riding 300 miles from Traverse City to Chelsea to help grant wishes to amazing Michigan kids, well that’s one of those moments.
The Wish-A-Mile 300 Bicycle Tour (WAM) on July 22-25 will [...]

3
June

Fan Mail!

Nearly every day in Michigan, a wish is granted. It is amazing knowing at a particular moment, a child is on a  magical wish  experience. What is even  more fun is opening the mail in the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan offices and getting a photo, a letter or a drawing from a child just home from [...]

20
May

It started with a wish…

A twist of fate was ahead for Ellie Andrus…

…but if Ellie, at 17 and diagnosed with leukemia, knew what the future held, just maybe the twist and sometimes cruel turns ahead of her, would have brought a smile now and again.

Ellie was a senior in high school. Battling senioritis was her biggest health concern – [...]

6
May

Macy’s Believes!

“Believe” and “Thanks” are two words that are echoed daily throughout the Make-A-Wish community. Our families have to believe, and when wishes come true, heartfelt thanks can’t begin to tell the whole story.
When wishes are granted for our Michigan children, the story begins with a family on a heartfelt journey. At the Make-A-Wish Foundation of [...]

22
April

A Celebration of Global Wishes!

On April 29, there will be a little more wishing going on as our inaugural World Wish Day celebrates and honors global wish granting.
As the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Michigan, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America and Make-A-Wish Foundation® International come together in celebration of 30 years of wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions, one little [...]

8
April

Volunteers Make Dreams Come True!

For more than 26 years, hundreds of volunteers have generously contributed their time and talents to change the world, one wish at a time. Volunteers are a valued, indispensable asset to our organization. It is because of their commitment and support that we are able to grant incredible wishes to every eligible child and host [...]

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