Make-A-Wish Facts

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is an international non-profit organization that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. 

The Make-A-Wish Foundation was founded in 1980 in Phoenix, Arizona.  A small group of people helped a very ill little boy achieve his wish-to be a state trooper for a day.  Currently there are 73 chapters in the U.S. and nearly 28 international affiliates. 

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern West Virginia is located in Charleston and serves the 23 counties of southern West Virginia.  It is one of eight offices of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia, which is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  The other regional offices are located in Altoona, Erie, Pottsville, Punxsutawney, Wikes-Barre and York, Pennsylvania. 

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern West Virginia was founded in December 1991 in Charleston.  Christina was just 11 years old when she was surprised by a hot air balloon "parked" in front of her home in Birch River.  A banner on the balloon had the Foundation's name; Christina knew that her Make-A-Wish volunteers had been at her home.  Inside, Christina was thrilled to find a new Apple computer waiting for her. 

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern West Virginia has grown steadily with the help of caring people who volunteer their time and support.  Two wishes were fulfilled in the first year.  Now, 14 years later, nearly 600 wishes have been completed.

The most popular wish (made by nearly half of the children) is for a trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida.  Other popular wishes include shopping sprees, computers, celebrity meetings and trips.

The Foundation encourages the entire family to be part of the wish experience, knowing that parents and siblings need magic just as much as the wish child.

If you know of a child with a life-threatening medical condition who might qualify for a wish, please call 1-800-664-WISH.  Information on the child may be taken over the phone.  The child's physician will then be asked to qualify the child.  The family's economic status is not a criterion, but the family must be aware that you have referred their child.

The average cost of a wish is $3,400.  This is based on the cost of a trip to Disney World for a family of four staying seven days and six nights.

The Foundation has a variety of donor programs including Wishmakers At Work for the workplace, and Kids For Wish Kids and Wishmakers On Campus for students.

Donors may chose to restrict their gifts to the Wish maker program, which underwrites the cost of wishes; to the Inner Circle, which offsets operating expenses; or to the endowment.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern West Virginia has great volunteer opportunities including wish granting, fund raising, public speaking and office assistance.  Volunteers will be trained and must pass a criminal background check.  For more information on volunteering, please call 1-800-664-WISH.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation does not engage in telemarketing, door-to-door solicitation or chain letters and e-mails.

For more information or to refer a child, call or write:

Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern West Virginia
623 Lee Street West
Charleston, WV 25302
Phone: (304) 342-WISH
Fax: (304) 645-6568

Counties served: Boone, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay, Fayette, Greenbrier, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Mason, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Monroe, Nicholas, Putnam, Raleigh, Roane, Summers, Wayne. Wirt, and Wyoming.

Visit our web site at http://www.wishgreaterpa.org or email requests for information to greaterpa@wishworld.org