Professional Documents
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Press Kit
Press Kit
March 1, 2016
Danielle Naccarato
206 W. Willow
Normal, IL 61761
(630) 398-7046
Make-A-Wish Illinois
Chicago, IL 60654-6754
Phone: (708)921-3916
Email: jfrighetto5@gmail.com
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The Make-A-Wish Foundation was founded in 1980 by Frank Shankwitz, Linda Bergendahl-Pauling
and Scott Stahl. The foundation has granted the wishes of 200 thousand children and young
teens with life threatening medical conditions. Make-A-Wish continues to grow everyday with over
25 thousand volunteers providing support and giving children, parents and families hope. These
volunteers give up much of their time to make a difference, including celebrities like Nick Jonas and
Ariana Grande. They assist the foundation by creating hope and inspiring others to volunteer and
make life changing experiences.
A seven-year-old boy named Chris Greicius inspired the Make-A-Wish Foundation. While battling
leukemia, Chris befriended a U.S. customs officer named Tommy Austin. Austin found out that it
was young Chris dream to one day become a police officer. Austin did everything he could to make
that dream become a reality. He got Chris his very own uniform and a very special helicopter ride.
Sadly, Chris passed away shortly after his wish came true, but this one wish inspired people. People
took notice to how happy Chris was during his time with the police officers. After the wish Chris left
everyone who had helped him, people he helped, and his parents with the feeling of joy. This was
when the Make-A-Wish Foundation was formed.
Originally the Make-A-Wish Foundation was named after Chris to be the Chris Greicius Make-A-Wish
Memorial. The first donation Make-A-Wish received was from a grocery store for $15 after they heard
of Chris story. Soon, after a few months, almost 2 thousand dollars had been donated which was
enough to grant another sick childs wish come true. Chris inspired the Make-A-Wish Foundation to
become a reality and after Chris, the first child to officially have his wish granted was Frank Salazar.
Frank had a similar wish to Chris. Frank wanted to be a firefighter. The Phoenix Fire Department
heard about this and helped make Franks wish come true. The firefighters got Frank his own uniform
and let him blast the fire engines horn and use the firehose. His wish was granted and he and his
family greatly appreciated all the foundation was able to do for them. Soon after this, the media got
word of what had happened and they inspired many to help Frank and his family even more. Frank
got more wishes granted. He went on a hot air balloon ride and went to Disneyland. However, soon
after all his wishes were granted, Frank returned to the hospital and passed away shortly after.
It did not take long for the rest of the country to catch on to the idea of granting wishes and how they
could have a serious effect on a childs life and everyone else involved. Make-A-Wish Foundations
goal, ever since Chris Greicius wish was granted, has be to grant as many wishes as possible and
make dreams come true for all the young boys and girls that need hope and joy in their lives now.
They might not get another opportunity in their life for their wish to come true.
For more information, go to www.wish.org.
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Debbie Purcell
Tonisha Daniel
Volunteer Coordinator
(312) 602-9424
(312) 602-9440
(312) 602-9415