Believe 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!
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
