Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area

We are thrilled to share the Spring/Summer 2024 issue of Best Wishes! This mini-magazine is our heartfelt way of keeping you—our dedicated supporters and friends—connected with our chapter and inspired by the amazing wishes you make possible. In this special issue, we celebrate our 40th Birthday by honoring the extraordinary individuals, founding volunteers, and inspiring wish kids who have defined our journey. Join us in celebrating the power of a wish and the community that helped us reach this remarkable milestone. https://lnkd.in/gvwqv5c5

GREAT NEWS: we’ve met and exceeded the one-million-mile goal we set for our 40th Birthday Summer Miles Drive. Thank you to our generous match donors and everyone who donated miles—because of you, we can send four more wish families on life-changing trips. Time is running out to be a part of this campaign and help more wishes take flight. Through 11:59 p.m. tonight, August 31, if you donate miles and fill out our pledge form, you'll be entered into a drawing for two tickets to our 2025 Evening of Wishes gala on March 20. Our gala tickets are normally priced at over $500 a piece, so donate today and don’t miss out on your opportunity to join us at the beautiful Palace Hotel in San Francisco! Fill out our pledge form, enter our gala drawing, and donate your ✈️ miles today! https://lnkd.in/ggPZb_Rx #AirlineMiles #DonateMiles #WishesTakeFlight

Don't miss all the great photos from our Walk for Wishes, presented by Sony Interactive Entertainment PlayStation! Our photo gallery features our amazing walk teams, volunteers, sponsors, KRON 4 News' Reyna Harvey as our fabulous emcee, San Jose Sharks mascot Sharkie, Bridget's surprise wish reveal, and more! 🎉 Thank you to all who participated and fundraised. Together, we raised more than $115,000 for wishes! ⭐ See all photos from this wonderful event: https://lnkd.in/gB3DuFPX #FeelGoodFriday #WalkforWishes

Monterey Bay friends, we are coming to you! For our 40th birthday, we’re bringing our annual Wish Insiders event to four locations, including Monterey Bay. Come celebrate with us on October 2 as we honor our 40-year legacy of wish granting, look ahead to the next 40 years, and recognize our most passionate supporters with regional volunteer awards. Enjoy an evening with your fellow Wish Insiders, featuring inspiring stories, delicious refreshments, and the beautiful ambiance of the Hyatt Regency in Monterey. Get your tickets today: https://lnkd.in/gifv_jym

Seven-year-old Kyra loves animals—especially reptiles. Her favorite toys are snakes, lizards, and frogs, which she calls her pets. When Kyra learned she'd receive a wish because of her battle with leukemia, she knew exactly what she wanted—an enchanted forest bedroom makeover so all of her pets could feel at home! She had a clear idea in mind: hanging ivy, lush tropical jungle murals, and a bunk bed that felt like a cozy tree fort. Thank you to our amazing skills volunteers: designer Jan Whittingham, who brought Kyra's magical vision to life, and photographer Janeth Sanchez-Vernon, who beautifully captured the special moments during her wish reveal. And a huge thank you to Claire Brisson and Sheri Sobrato, for generously adopting Kyra's wish! 💙 🦎 👏 #WishWednesday

In 1991, Ken Avery was a young CPA focused on his career and family, with volunteering far from his mind. That all changed when he received a brochure about Make-A-Wish at the Orinda BART station. Next thing he knew, he joined the Board of Directors and became their treasurer. “I have always cared about helping others, especially youth,” says Ken, who is a father of three. “And I always felt I was more successful when I helped others be successful. That’s exactly how I feel about Make-A-Wish. I stay involved to help them keep growing to the next level.” Ken’s commitment to Make-A-Wish has never wavered and his passion for helping children continues to shine. Read more about his inspiring journey and our chapter's legacy he's helped build: https://lnkd.in/gnPQPqqA 📸: Ken Avery with CEO Betsy Biern at the reception at 2023 Evening of Wishes: Wishes by Design. 📸: From left to right: Ken and Joni Avery, Allie Phelps, Board Chair Kate Shrout, Travis Shrout, and CEO Betsy Biern enjoying the reception at 2023 Evening of Wishes: Wishes by Design. #TestimonialTuesday #40thBirthday

On August 10, Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area volunteers, donors, wish families, staff, and supporters gathered at California's Great America for the return of Walk for Wishes, our peer-to-peer fundraising event! Together, we raised more than $115,000—enough to grant 11 wishes! Thanks to everyone who participated in and fundraised for our Walk and our wish kids! Thank you to KRON 4 News for featuring our Walk: https://lnkd.in/gxZPD5Mk #FeelGoodFriday

East Bay friends, come celebrate 40 years of granting wishes with us—we have a special evening planned just for you! Join us on September 26 from 5-8 p.m. at the stunning Claremont Club & Spa in Berkeley. Enjoy breathtaking views and historic charm as we honor our past, look ahead to the next 40 years, and recognize our most dedicated supporters with regional volunteer awards. Purchase your tickets today for our Wish insiders on the Road in the East Bay: https://lnkd.in/gByMHgrn

🎉 We're so close to our one-million-mile goal! In fact, we're just 20,000 miles away! To help us reach our goal, from now until August 31, if you donate miles and fill out our pledge form, you'll be entered into a drawing for two tickets to our 2025 Evening of Wishes gala on March 20 at the beautiful Palace Hotel in San Francisco. Help us send wish families on life-changing trips! Learn more, fill out our pledge form, and donate your ✈️ miles today: https://lnkd.in/ggPZb_Rx #AirlineMiles #DonateMiles #WishesTakeFlight

Fourteen-year-old Max, who lives with a respiratory disorder, is a big animal lover. Max has been riding horses since age six, and the family has many pets, including cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs. When it came time for a wish, Max knew exactly what he wanted—a friendly dog who he could play with, train to do tricks, and take with him everywhere. His wish planner, Meg, worked with dog breeders to find the perfect pup for Max—a 7-month-old poodle named Lily. Although Max knew he was getting a dog, the wish day was a surprise at Betty Burgers! Max thought he was just going out to dinner with his parents, sister, and grandmother when his wish granting volunteers, Bob and Ali, brought Lily into the restaurant. “Lily is perfect, and we are all in love with her,” says Max’s mom, Charlie. “She has the perfect temperament for our family. We all feel so lucky.” Thank you, Bacigalupi Vineyards, for generously adopting Max's wish! #WishWednesday