About Us
Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® has given hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. From our humble beginnings with one boy’s wish to be a police officer, we’ve evolved into an organization that grants a child’s wish in the United States and its territories every 40 minutes.
Our Chapter
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeast New York serves the 15 counties comprising the 518 area code:
Albany, Clinton, Columbia, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren and Washington.
The First Wish
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® traces its beginning to one boy’s wish. In 1980, 7-year-old Christopher James Greicius was being treated for leukemia. Every day, he dreamed of becoming a police officer. Thanks to the generosity of some caring individuals, Chris was sworn in as the first honorary patrolman in the history of the state of Arizona.
The Chris Greicius Make-A-Wish Memorial was born. This later became known as the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Fast Facts
- Make-A-Wish® Northeast New York was incorporated in 1987.
- We currently have a network of over 250 volunteers who help grant the wishes of children with a life-threatening medical condition.
- The chapter grants around 100 wishes each year.
- The chapter has granted more than 1,300 wishes since it was founded.
First Niagara Bank has been a generous supporter of the Northeast New York chapter for the past several years. Its support, and the generous support of its staff and customers, helped raise thousands of dollars in the past few years, helping to grant wishes for local children!
