Chapter: Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of New Jersey

What a difference 2.6 miles can make to wish children! The walk was held at Liberty State Park and attracted 400 participants who were ready and willing to pound the pavement to help make wishes come true. Everyone was invited: wish children and their families, volunteers, corporate sponsors, individual donors and new supporters to form walk teams and collect sponsorship pledges. The walkers not only had a great time, but also raised enough funds to grant 11 wishes, such as the wish of Kelsey, 6, who wanted to visit Walt Disney World^® Resort.

Chapter: Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Central New York

Created by Syracuse University Men's Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim in 1992, this ladies-only luncheon has become a flagship fundraising event for the chapter. The 500 guests were treated to live and silent auctions, an autograph-signing session featuring players and coaches and a grand prize drawing. Entertainment by the Sour Sitrus Society Pep Band and Syracuse University Cheerleaders created a high-energy, pep rally atmosphere. Best of all, wish child Bella and her mom appeared at the event. Her mom spoke, while, Bella, who was three years old at the time of her wish to go to Walt Disney World® Resort, stood by her side. Donna Rapp from Bill Rapp Superstore in Syracuse joined in the fun. The event raised enough funds to grant six wishes.

Chapter: Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Kansas/Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Missouri

The New Year's Eve Wish Gala brought in the year 2006 at the Kansas City Downtown Marriott Hotel. This first-time celebration began with a gala reception in the foyer of the ballroom, where the guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and cocktails while waiting to have their pictures taken by a professional photographer. The black-tie event included dinner, dancing, a silent auction and a midnight balloon drop with a champagne toast. Galaxy Sponsor, (a major sponsor) UAW-GM, was given special recognition before the celebrants danced the year away. Joe Liggins, quality network representative, from the Fairfax Assembly plant, and other UAW representatives enjoyed the magical night. Enough funds were raised to grant three wishes, including the wish of Nicholas, 8, who wished to go to Walt Disney World Resort.

Chapter: Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Southern Florida

This event is more than a party, it's truly a gathering of the greats for charity: coaches, athletes and alumni from professional sports teams—the Miami Heat, Florida Panthers, Miami Dolphins, Florida Marlins and University of Miami Hurricanes. Held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the exciting event included a cocktail reception, dinner, silent auction and live auction. The "can't-miss" live auction featured coaches and athletes trying to out-do each other, which created lots of laughs and entertainment for everybody. Mario Murgado, CEO of Brickell Motors in Miami, and his wife represented GM dealers at the banquet and auction. Enough funds were raised to grant more than 30 wishes, including the wish of Glenn, 4, who wanted to meet Buzz Light year.

Chapter: Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Tri-Counties

In its second year, the Carpinteria Yacht Club's golf tournament to benefit area wish children was a big success. This second annual tournament, held at the Buenaventura Golf Course in Ventura, featured a four-person golf scramble with a shotgun start. In addition to sharing the fun and frustration of golf, participants also enjoyed lunch and lots of prizes, including a fabulous hole-in-one prize: A beautiful, brand-new 2006 Chevrolet Colorado donated by Todey Chevrolet located in Oxnard. Enough funds were raised to grant two wishes, including the wish of Trevor,7, who wanted to go on a safari adventure.