About Us
Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® has given hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. From our humble beginnings with one boy’s wish to be a police officer, we’ve evolved into an organization that grants a child’s wish in the United States and its territories every 40 minutes.
Our Chapter
Founded in 1992, The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Western New York is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Our mission is to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Fulfilling a child’s wish provides a joyful and meaningful experience that benefits both the child and the family.
Our chapter grants one wish every 2 1/2 days.
The First Wish
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® traces its beginning to one boy’s wish. In 1980, 7-year-old Christopher James Greicius 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 DPS patrolman in state history. Thus, the Chris Greicius Make-A-Wish Memorial – which later became known as the Make-A-Wish Foundation® – was born.
Fast Facts
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Western New York was founded in the summer of 1992 when a young girl wished to meet her favorite country singer, Reba McIntyre.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western New York has granted more than 1,600 wishes. Nationally, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted nearly 165,000 wishes since 1980.
In Western New York we currently have 200+ volunteers and welcome other interested individuals.
Recently, we opened a Rochester Field Office located at 26 Corporate Woods, Suite 10, Rochester, NY.
Local Applebee's Restaurants support Make-A-Wish through several in-restaurant campaigns.
