Did you know that one of the most well-known non-profit organizations in America was started in Phoenix, Arizona?
The Make-A-Wish foundation was founded in the spring of 1980 when a 7-year-old named Christopher Grecieus was being treated for leukemia and always dreamed of becoming a police officer. When U.S. Customs Officer Tommy Austin became friends with Christopher he worked with DPS to grant the youngsters wish.
This was the wish that started the organization! Since 1980, the charity has grown to have 62 chapters located throughout the U.S. and in 47 other countries through affiliate offices.
How Do Wishes Work?
While everyone would love to have a wish granted there are some criteria the foundation takes into account before granting a wish.
Children must be between the ages of 2 and 18 to become eligible to receive a wish. Children can be referred from three different sources.
- Medical professionals treating the child
- A parent or legal guardian
- The child themselves
To submit consideration individuals can either visit their local chapter of fill out the online inquiry form. Each and every Make-A-Wish chapter follows specific policies for granting a child’s wish. The foundation works closely with both the child’s physician and family to make sure they are physically well enough to undergo a wish.
Most wish requests fall into these five categories : I wish to go, I wish to be, I wish to meet, I wish to have, or I wish to give
The Make a Wish foundation has been a part of popular culture for some time. In 2013, the organization garnered considerable attention when Miles Scott, an American child was given the key to San Francisco and spent the day as Batman!