Make-A-Wish Maine celebrates 30th Anniversary with record setting event

Make-A-Want Maine is happy to share the outcomes of the biggest fundraising occasion within the chapter’s historical past, the thirtieth Anniversary Gala. On June 3, the celebration passed off on the Samoset Resort in Rockport, Maine. Backed by the group’s founders, long-time sponsors, donors and volunteers, the occasion was held within the Midcoast since it’s the birthplace of the Maine chapter. 

The occasion raised a record-setting $570,000. This represents the single-largest fundraising occasion in Make-A-Want Maine’s 30-year historical past.

“We’re in awe of the generosity of the Make-A-Want Maine neighborhood and so grateful for his or her help,” says President & CEO Kate Vickery. “This night was not solely a celebration of the previous 30 years, however a chance to strengthen the way forward for Make-A-Want Maine. This summer season, we might be granting a want each three days, on common. This help will make a direct impression on our mission and might be transformative for the households we work with.”

The thirtieth Anniversary Gala featured want tales from the previous 30 years, together with Ricky’s want in 2008 which was to present Maranacook Excessive Faculty’s soccer subject a renovation to permit them to have Friday Night time Lights video games. Ricky was 15 years outdated when he made his want and the neighborhood rallied round him, in awe of his beneficiant spirit.

“The mission of Make-A-Want simply can’t be understated. It was a beacon of sunshine in whole darkness and it allowed us to give attention to seeing no matter pleasure may very well be delivered to him,” recounts Ricky’s mother Lisa, almost 15 years after his want.

On the Gala, Make-A-Want Maine additionally regarded forward: 13-year-old want child Conner discovered his want to go to Hawaii could be coming true. His want granting volunteer, Jack Bjorn, is a Want Alum himself and the present Chair-Elect for the Make-A-Want Maine Younger Leaders Council. Jack shared that his personal want was to go to Hawaii again in 2010 earlier than giving the excellent news to want child Conner that his want would even be coming true someday within the months forward!

“Like many want children earlier than me and after me, I used to be in want of some hope, some inspiration, and a few peace of thoughts,” Jack stated on the occasion. “Having the ability to share my expertise with others and be a small a part of different needs coming true means the world to me. Seeing the look on a want child’s face, experiencing that elation alongside her or him, and figuring out the distinction it would make on his or her life, is indescribable.”

As a finale to the occasion, one other pupil from Maranacook Excessive Faculty wished to present again when she grew to become eligible for a want. Battling most cancers, seventeen-year-old Alexis Michaud wished for a softball subject renovation and was current on the Gala for the disclosing of the brand new scoreboard, simply part of the inspiring want forward of her.

“We’re honored to grant Alexis’s want, one other philanthropic want little one to come back out of Maranacook Excessive Faculty,” says Kate Vickery. “It’s unbelievable to see the legacy left behind as she selected to make a distinction for future generations of softball gamers at her highschool.”

This occasion kicks off the year-long celebration of Make-A-Want Maine’s 30-year anniversary. The thirtieth Anniversary Gala was made attainable because of the following; Presenting Companions: Camden Nationwide Financial institution and Viking Lumber; Lead Companions: Allen Insurance coverage & Monetary and O’Hara Company; Want Accomplice: Invoice Dodge Auto Group; Legacy Companions: Diana Bean, Prock Marine Firm, Rockport Metal, and United Insurance coverage; Visionary Companions: Bernstein Shur, Harvard Pilgrim Well being Care, Homeshare, Richard Brothers, Spinnaker Belief, and Turner Building; Ambassador Companions: Agren Equipment, First Nationwide Financial institution, Fixtures Designer Plumbing Showroom, and Philbrook & Associates.

A particular thanks additionally goes to our occasion companions: WGME CBS13, Down East Journal, Headlight Audio Visible, Sea Luggage, Seasons Downeast Designs, Katie Kelly Images, and Ken Hess Videography.

About Make-A-Want Maine

Make-A-Want creates life-changing needs for youngsters with crucial sicknesses. Since 1992, we have now granted over 1,700 needs. This summer season, the group expects to grant a want a median of 1 want each three days – with a complete of 75 needs scheduled for the fiscal yr. All cash raised in Maine stays in Maine. All want bills are absolutely lined by Make-A-Want. Make-A-Want Maine is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt group, and all contributions are tax deductible. The Maine chapter has over 200 volunteers statewide, and a workers of eight. Our workplace is positioned at 66 Mussey Highway in Scarborough. For extra details about Make-A-Want Maine, go to www.maine.want.org and uncover how one can share the ability of a want®.