The Make-A-Wish Foundation delights children as they reach for the

Mission
The Make-A-Wish Foundation* grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy.

A wish come true for a child with a life-threatening illness provides a special kind of magic. It creates an indomitable spirit within them to help sustain them through their extremely difficult times, in hopes that miracles can be achieved. It is this renewed strength that makes us understand the power of a wish.

Origin
The Make-A-Wish Foundation* began in 1980 with the fulfillment of the wish of a seven year-old boy with leukemia who wanted to be a policeman. Officers from the Arizona Department of Public Safety granted his wish with a custom made uniform, a helmet, a badge and even a helicopter ride! That one child's delight in having his wish fulfilled provided the inspiration for the Foundation. Today, Make-A-Wish is the largest wish granting organization in the world with 79 chapters in the US and 23 affiliates across 5 continents.

The Southern Florida chapter was started in 1983 by the Plantation Junior Woman's Club. There has been a tremendous increase in the demand for wishes. Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida has grown from granting 2 wishes in 1983 to granting over 475 wishes in fiscal year 2002/03. Today it serves the children of Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, Collier, Lee, Hendry and Glades counties.

Administration
A 32 member Board of Directors governs the Southern Florida chapter. Board members, elected to three-year terms, are diverse in their geographic representation and professional backgrounds. Board committees assist in all phases of the Foundation's work: Financial Development, Community Awareness, Corporate Relations, Special Events, and Wish Granting. Additionally, a professional staff and over 400 volunteers assist in the Foundation’s work.

Funding
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida finances its endeavors through corporate sponsorships, special events, foundation grants and individual contributions. The Foundation does not solicit funds by telephone and receives no federal or state funding.

As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, all contributions are deductible to the extent permitted by law. The Foundation’s financial statements are audited locally and nationally by KPMG Peat Marwick.

Impact
Over 97,000 wishes have been granted by all the Foundations’ chapters since 1980. Because each child’s wish includes the entire family, thousands of individuals are positively impacted by the Foundations’ efforts each year. The Southern Florida chapter grants an average of 40 wishes per month and has granted over 3,900 wishes since their inception.

Expense
Each dollar spent is allocated in the following manner:

Distribution
Wish Granting 83% Administration 6%
Fundraising 7% Public Relations 4%

Wish Eligibility
The Foundation grants the wish of any child who is diagnosed by a physician as having a life-threatening illness. Children may be referred by the child's physician, parents or legal guardians, social worker or other health care professional, or even themselves! Make-A-Wish grants wishes to children regardless of race, religion or socio-economic status. The child may not have had a wish granted by another wish granting organization.

Wish Fulfillment
Volunteer teams work out the details of every wish. These teams rely on in-kind gifts and donations from individuals and corporations as well as the generous donation of time from celebrities. The Southern Florida chapter has granted wishes of every variety imaginable. Make-A-Wish has built a treehouse, created a prom fantasy weekend, sent children to meet their favorite celebrity and of course hundreds of magical visits to Disney World. Make-A-Wish has never turned down a wish for a medically eligible child.

Wish Requests
Wish requests fall into the following categories:
Disney World 37% Shopping Spree 9%
Computers/Electronics 25% Celebrity 5%
Travel 17% Other 7%

A wish is limited only by a child's imagination. Make-A-Wish provides the structure, but it is the child's request that determines how Make-A-Wish volunteers will turn the dream into reality.

Wish Expenses
In a time that is financially stressful to the family, wish expenses are fully covered. Paid expenses include: airline tickets, hotel accommodations, rental cars, meals, passes for attractions and entertainment, and spending money.

Average Cost
The average cost of fulfilling a wish is $4,200.

Web Site
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Southern Florida’s web site features recent wish stories, and has up-to-date information on activities, how to make a donation, how to refer a child, and much more. Visit http://sfla.wish.org/westcoast.htm.