Chris’ dream was to be a Police Officer. When diagnosed it seemed that his dream would never become a reality. Through the generosity of the United States Police, Chris’ dream did become a reality. With a custom made uniform, helmet and badge Chris was inducted into the force and given a ride in a police car and helicopter. When Chris passed away only days later he was given a funeral with full police honours.

It was this one dream that became the inspiration for the Make-A-Wish Foundation throughout the world.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Australia is Australia’s longest established wish-granting organisation and has granted more than 2,600 wishes to children with life threatening illnesses since it was founded in 1985. Children’s wishes vary from holidays, cubby houses, being a princess for a day, swimming with dolphins or meeting favourite celebrities.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation brings magic and joy to more than 300 Australian children each year when they have their wish granted. From this experience, sick children are given hope, strength and much joy.

The granting of a wish is an experience sick children, siblings and parents look forward to, often holding on to it to get through the tougher times. The Foundation ensures the whole family is involved in the child’s wish, as they recognise that, sadly, memories are often all with which a family is left.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation and receives no government funding. It therefore relies heavily on the generous support of the community and corporate Australia to help fund wishes, which on average, cost $10,000 each.

The Foundation is a volunteer driven organisation that uses the energy and enthusiasm of more than 600 volunteers in 43 branches throughout Australia to turn each treasured dream into a reality. Operating under a structure of a National Board of Directors and Branch Presidents, it is the tremendous fundraising efforts of each of the 43 branches that ensures every wish child, no matter where they live, receives his or her wish.

The Foundation also has a National Office in Victoria that provides administration services, marketing and public relations, financial management and volunteer training.

The power of a wish can never be underestimated and the Foundation proves that there is magic in wishes…they really can come true.

If you would like to learn more about Make-A-Wish, please call the toll free number 1800 032 260 or visit the website at www.makeawish.org.au



Homes 1 and the Make-A-Wish Foundation

Homes 1 has pledged to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The decision to choose this organization as their primary charity for support was inspired by Katrina Andrulis’ own experience with the Foundation, when they granted a wish to her young nephew Dominic. Homes 1 is in the process of developing a project to build a home for auction to support as many wishes as the sale of the house can provide. News about the project will be updated on the website and progress will be reported in the next issue of this magazine.