WISHMAKER

IN THIS ISSUE

WISHES

FAL L -WINTER 2014

At left: Hannah goes to Walt Disney World ® Resort.

C.J.’s eyes twinkle as he meets Princess Belle.

Pages 6-9

2 | Leadership Letter 3 | Volunteer Spotlight 4 | Calendar & Events 5 | Featured Wish 6 | Wishes10 | Announcements

Page 5

DISNEY

BOUND

“Oh, man, I sure

had fun!” — C.J.

2 — WISHMAKER

MAKE-A-WISH® NORTH DAKOTA 1102 43rd Street South, Suite EFargo, ND 58103-2099Phone: 701.280.9474Fax: 701.280.2684Toll-Free: 800.362.9474Website: northdakota.wish.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORSGreg Ellwein, ChairAngela Lord, Vice ChairKarla Hoffelt, TreasurerKelly Peterson, SecretaryBrad DahlBonnie GoldsberryJenifer Jones-Dees, M.D., Medical AdvisorArnie LauingerEric Lunn, M.D.Sandy Miller, R.N.Sid SpaethPastor Bruce VoldKelly Braun, Immediate Past Chair and Ex officioLana Nicholas, Ex officio

STAFFBilli Jo Zielinski,President and CEO Dana Altendorf,Director of Community RelationsKayla Pederson,Director of Program ServicesBrooke Morris,Wish Coordinator Betsy King-Voigt,Executive Office SpecialistTammy Marquardt,Accountant

FOLLOW USLike us on Facebook:Facebook.com/makeawishndFollow us on Twitter:@MakeAWishNDView videos of wishes:Youtube.com/MakeAWishND

NEW DESIGNWe are excited to share our redesigned newsletter with you this holiday season! We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it together for you.

We change lives. Not just those of our wish children and their families, but

all who are involved. We are part of something bigger than ourselves. We

are a team, but not just a North Dakota team—a Make-A-Wish® team.

This year was record-breaking for Make-A-Wish. Thanks to you and many

others,14,247 wishes were granted across the nation. Thirty-six of those

wishes were granted in our great state. We have the privilege to serve

kids and families like C.J.’s on page 5. C.J.’s wish to go to Walt Disney

World® Resort was made possible by a team of people. From a health care

professional’s referral and volunteers getting to the heart of a wish to the staff

who make the magic happen, the board who provides direction and the

donors who ensure no wish is denied due to financial constraints—all of us

are part of the wish experience. One person who continues to change lives

like C.J.’s is featured in our volunteer spotlight on the facing page.

As we approach our 30th

anniversary, we will look back

as well as see where we are

headed. Join us in 2015 as we

reflect and celebrate possible. Though many things have changed over

the past 30 years, our vision to make every eligible child’s wish come true

remains. Integrity, child focus, excellence, community, and inspiration are

the values that drive everything we do and will continue to do so. We have

granted more than 700 wishes to children with life-threatening medical

conditions since 1985. There are more lives to change for kids like those

featured on pages 6 to 9.

We change lives and we are

better together. We need a

great team to be successful, to

find ALL of the children in need

of a wish, to make those wishes

come true, and we will never

give up on our collective vision

to reach every eligible child.

TEAMWORKLEADERSHIP LETTER

THE POWER OF US

We will never give up on our collective vision to reach every eligible child.

IN PARTNERSHIP,BILLI JO AND GREG

WISHMAKER — 3

It all began in 2001, the day after Kelly married his wife,

Cheryl, when hosting a benefit started Kelly’s journey with

Make-A-Wish. They had booked the band and the Eagles

club for two nights and the wedding was on that Friday.

Deciding what to do for the second night, Kelly talked to a local

Make-A-Wish volunteer and the benefit idea was hatched and

brought to the Noon Lions as a project. From modest beginnings,

this event has grown to be one of the largest fundraisers for the

chapter and a source of pride for the community.

With his excitement for the mission growing over the years,

Kelly was recruited to be on the board of directors. Then

Kelly continued his involvement by becoming a wish granting

volunteer. He continues to work hard ensuring that every

child’s wish is a heartfelt and magical moment in their lives.

He remains child-focused and enthusiastic as is evident when

you hear Kelly talk about wishes. As one of the wish granters

on Kathryn’s wish to ride a steam engine train, he excitedly

shared, “She sat us down with a book of trains, and her eyes

lit up. We knew that was her wish.”

When listening to Kelly talk with excitement and passion

about the event and the joy of a wish come true, it is quite

clear the mission resonates within him. He brought that

passion with him as he served as board chairman in 2013-

2014. Billi Jo Zielinski, President and CEO, said, “A healthy

relationship between the board chair and the executive

director is critical to a nonprofit’s success. I found true

partnership with Kelly when I came on board. His leadership

and support has propelled our chapter forward and he

remains a positive part of our team.”

We thank Kelly for his dedication to and embodiment of our

mission, vision and values. He is an inspiration to others not

just in ND, but across the nation. He and his fellow Lions

have continued to bring our mission to life through their event.

Join us at this year’s Dickinson Noon Lions Club benefit for

Make-A-Wish on March 7, 2015. You will easily spot Kelly in

all his Make-A-Wish gear.

KELLY BRAUNVOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

At left: Kelly gathers with fellow wish granting volunteers Ruth and Bonnie to

celebrate Kathryn’s wish reveal.

Most days when you see Kelly Braun, he’s wearing at least one apparel item with the Make-A-Wish® logo on it, if not two. He proudly dons his support for Make-A-Wish and will gladly share the mission with anyone. Kelly had been familiar with Make-A-Wish as he recalled a kid in his home town receiving a horse, but he never imagined the organization and wish children would become such a big part of his life.

The Make-A-Wish® mission comes to life with the help from our dedicated volunteers. Whether you can give a few hours every month or a few days every year, your help is greatly appreciated. There are many different roles available for volunteers including: wish granting volunteer, fundraising volunteer and event volunteers. Help us turn children’s wishes into reality.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

4 — WISHMAKER

NOVEMBER:20 Subaru “Share the Love”

begins (runs November 20,

2014, through January 2, 2015)

DECEMBER: 2 Giving Tuesday

12 National Believe Day

12 Make-A-Wish® Night at

Fargo Force sponsored by

Farmers Union Insurance

JANUARY: 17 JakeStar Denim

& Diamonds Gala

FEBRUARY:7 AMVETS Karaoke

12 Giving Hearts Day

MARCH: 7 Dickinson Noon Lions Fundraiser

27 Wine & Wishes

APRIL: 18 AMVETS Karaoke

19 World Wish Day®

SAVE THE DATE

WINE & WISHESOn Friday, March 27, at the Hilton Garden Inn in Fargo we will celebrate

our 30th anniversary and those who have shaped our chapter.

The celebration will include food and wine tastings,

silent and live auctions and a wish program

that will inspire you. Join us as we

celebrate possible at Wine & Wishes.

See www.northdakota.wish.org

for more details.

1. Wish child Clay stole the show with his love of the microphone.

2. Emcee Kevin Wallevand asks wish child Addy to share about her wish to swim with mermaids.

3. Brea’s wish granting volunteers included the guests in revealing that her wish to meet Dora the Explorer was about to come true!

4. Guests enjoy the assortment of hors d’oeuvres with their paired wines.

5. Toasts were made with hand-selected wines courtesy of Happy Harry’s Bottle Shop.

1

2

3

4 5

PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS FROM WINE & WISHES 2013

WISHMAKER — 5

DISNEY BOUNDFEATURED WISH: C.J.

The small crowd waited patiently with their excitement growing. C.J. would be arriving any minute at the Make-A-Wish® office. Make-A-Wish® volunteers and staff along with representatives from the US Armed Forces were ready for his special wish trip send-off.

Before taking off on his very first flight, there were surprises in store for C.J. You could see the curiosity and excitement on his

face as he walked into a room filled with people holding signs just for him. Gifts were given—including a Marines cap and

his very own superhero cape. Then came the limo! As C.J. climbed in the “big car,” he looked around and told everyone,

“There’s even a kitchen in here!” With everyone sporting big smiles, it was time to leave for Florida.

When wish granting volunteers met 7-year-old C.J., he shared his love of Disney characters, fireworks, rides and superheroes.

With every question they asked, his wish became increasingly clear. C.J.’s one true wish is to go to Walt Disney World ® Resort!

On the trip, there was no worry about the next doctor’s

appointment. Instead of spending time as a family in

different hospital rooms, they enjoyed a fun-filled family

vacation. C.J. has a condition called neurofibromatosis,

which is a disorder that disturbs cell growth in the

nervous system. This disturbance can cause tumors

on nerve tissue and can occur anywhere in the

nervous system.

C.J. did not let his disorder slow him down from trying to

see and do everything he could on his wish trip. The week was

nonstop fun visiting parks like Animal Kingdom ® and Universal Studios. He met

Disney characters and superheroes—including his favorite, Batman. At Give

Kids the World Village he participated in “Village Idol.” At the end of his trip,

C.J. exclaimed, “Oh man, I sure had fun!”

Not only will C.J. remember this trip forever, his parents expressed their joy for

all the new memories. “We want to thank all of you who helped make C.J.’s

wish come true. Not only did I see my boy smile (a lot), but his laughter came

back. He wasn’t apprehensive about getting poked or seen by doctors, which

are all very wonderful. Instead our boy played. That is priceless.”

Many people made it possible for C.J.’s wish to be granted, especially Cullen

Children’s Foundation, a partner of our Adopt-A-Wish® program.

THE TRIP THAT BROUGHT LAUGHTER BACK

6 — WISHMAKER

pancreatic cancer

I wish to go to Walt Disney World ® ResortAdopt-A-Wish® Partner: Dickinson Noon Lions Club

degenerative atrovenious malformation

I wish to go to Atlantis ResortAdopt-A-Wish® Partner: Isabell Dabbert Endowment

acute lymphoblastic leukemia

I wish to go to Walt Disney World ® ResortAdopt-A-Wish® Partners: Cedar Crest Resort, Joe Ackerland,

James Mitchell, Diane Kaiser

WISHES

“This was a life-changing wish with memories that will last beyond a lifetime.” — Sarah, wish mom

“It gave me and my family a trip of a lifetime, stress free and FUN FUN FUN!!” — Kalob

KALOB, 8

ABAGAIL, 11

JADE, 17

WISHMAKER — 7

life-threatening medical condition

I wish to meet Dora the ExplorerAdopt-A-Wish® Partner: ChiroRx Chiropractic & Wellness Care “The trip was absolutely amazing! It was so much more than we could have ever imagined. She honestly was ecstatic from the time she woke up until her head hit the pillow. I don’t even have the words to describe how amazing it feels to see your child who faces so many challenges on a daily basis so excited.” — Jennifer, wish mom

rhabdomyosarcoma

I wish to meet Australian wakeboarder Dean Smith

Adopt-A-Wish® Partner: Lyn Lamb

pulmonary blastoma

I wish to go to Animal Kingdom®

Adopt-A-Wish® Partner: Bismarck

Fashion Show for Make-A-Wish®

osteosarcoma

I wish to go to Walt Disney World ® Resort

Adopt-A-Wish® Partner: Bismarck

Fashion Show for Make-A-Wish®

HANNAH, 9

GRANT, 17

KAREE JO, 6

KENNEDY, 4

8 — WISHMAKER

rhabdomyosarcoma

I wish to go to AlaskaAdopt-A-Wish® Partner: Pine Petroleum Inc.

“We cannot begin to thank you for the wonderful trip that you planned for Nathan. I wish you could have seen Nathan’s bright smile when he heard he was going to be riding in a motor home while he was in Alaska. That was the utmost gift for him. He kept saying “I have always wanted to do that.” Saturday was a day we will never forget. It was great to see Nathan get a break from all of the medical stuff.” — Brenda, wish mom

pulmonary hypertension

I wish to go to Walt Disney World ® Resort to meet the princessesAdopt-A-Wish® Partner: Dickinson Noon Lions Club

CONNOR, 9

CASH, 4

NATHAN, 16

Langerhans cell histiocytosis

I wish to go to Walt Disney World ® ResortAdopt-A-Wish® Partner: Pine Petroleum Inc.

“We will never forget the kindness, daily surprises, and pure enjoyment of spending time together as a family.” — Angela, wish mom

WISHES CONTINUED

life-threatening medical condition

I wish to go to Walt Disney World ® ResortAdopt-A-Wish® Partner: American Petroleum Institute (API) —

Williston Basin chapter

ELIZABETH, 8

WISHMAKER — 9

hypoplastic left heart syndrome

I wish to have a RZR RazorAdopt-A-Wish® Partner: Anonymous

Logan, 16

cancerous germ cell tumor

I wish to have a Polaris RZR Adopt-A-Wish® Partner: Dickinson

Noon Lions Club

Boy, 8*

I wish to go to Walt Disney World® Resort

Girl, 3*

I wish to meet Minnie Mouse

* These wish children and their families

have requested to be anonymous.

acute lymphoblastic leukemia

I wish to go to Disneyland®

Adopt-A-Wish® Partner: Cass

County Youth Commission

ROMEO, 7

REBECCA, 12

JORDAN, 12

double lung transplant

I wish to go fishing in AlaskaAdopt-A-Wish® Partner: Joe’s Heroes

ADDITIONAL WISHES:

leukemia

I wish to ride a steam engine trainAdopt-A-Wish® Partner: Dickinson Noon Lions Club

KATHRYN, 6

10 — WISHMAKER

Make-A-Wish relies on wish referrals to help us reach children with life-threatening medical

conditions and grant them a wish that will change their lives, forever! Children between the ages

of 2½ and 18 years of age that have a life-threatening medical condition and have not been

granted a wish by another organization are potentially eligible for a wish. Potential wish kids,

medical professionals, parents and legal guardians, and family members with detailed knowledge

of the child’s current medical condition can all refer a child. Help us make children’s wishes come

true. To refer a child, please visit www.northdakota.wish.org and click on the Refer a Child tab

and there will be a referral form to submit or call Make-A-Wish North Dakota at 701.280.9474.

Macy’s and Make-A-Wish® are celebrating the seventh year of the Believe campaign.

This annual campaign is based on The New York Sun’s famous “Yes, Virginia, there

is a Santa Claus” editorial. Beginning in November, believers of all ages can bring

their stamped letter to Macy’s addressed to Santa at The North Pole, and drop it into

the special letterbox. Or, new this year, create and send a letter online. For each letter received, Macy’s will donate $1 to

Make-A-Wish, up to $1,000,000. When you create your letter online or on your mobile phone, you can help set a new

world record for the longest wishlist to Santa. Visit macys.com/believe.

REFER A CHILD

MACY’S BELIEVE

WISHMAKERS AT WORK®

Start your own Wishmakers At Work® campaign with your employer! Make-A-Wish has an employee giving program, which

allows everyone to get involved in our mission and help grant wishes. Wishmakers At Work is a great way to introduce your

company to charitable giving. There are several ways your company can support Make-A-Wish and help grant magical wishes

to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Below are a variety of ideas to start your own Wishmakers At Work:

Payroll Deduction — Online Workplace Giving — Matching Gifts — Fundraisers and Events

WISHES IN FLIGHT®

Make-A-Wish® grants a wish every 38 minutes. These wishes are diverse and as creative as

the child who makes them and many of them include traveling. In North Dakota alone, nearly

80 percent of wishes are travel related. In a single year, Make-A-Wish® will need more than

2.5 billion airline miles to be able to continue granting wishes that include travel. They will

allow wish children—and their families—to create memories that will last a lifetime. Wishes in

Flight® makes it easy for you to help a wish take flight. To donate your airline miles, please visit

www.northdakota.wish.org and click on the Ways To Help tab and that will direct you to the

donation website. If you have any questions, please call 701.280.9474.

Did you know that nearly 80 percent of wishes in North Dakota require travel?

WISHMAKER — 11

Fiscal Year 2014 was a transformative year. Revenues were up, our

endowments grew, and 36 wishes were granted. As you know, Make-A-Wish

North Dakota is an independently operating chapter of the Make-A-Wish

Foundation® of America which is obligated to develop and implement national

programs in public relations and fundraising for the benefit of all 61 chapters

across the nation. In addition, our local chapter is obligated to comply with

the national organization’s bylaws, chapter agreement, and performance

standards, policies and guidelines as may be adopted by the national board.

Our chapter granted its first wish in 1985 and has granted over 700 wishes.

For the year ended August 31, 2014, the average cash cost of a wish was

approximately $7,200. We do try our best to leverage our cash donations

with in-kind goods and services. As of August 31, 2014, the end of our fiscal

year, our functional expenses broke down accordingly:

Our volunteer staff outweighs the paid staff by about 35 to 1. Volunteers are a

critical part of our team as they are often the first interactions we have with a

wish family. We have over 170 wish granting, special event, board member,

etc. volunteers across this great state donating their time, talent and treasures.

Our sources of income include contributions from individuals and corporations,

memorial donations, special events, grants, in-kind donations and investment

income. The breakdown is as follows for fiscal year 2014:

FINANCIAL SUMMARY YOUR LEGACY— THEIR WISHKARLA HOFFELT, TREASURER

75.10%

REVENUE

Direct Public Support(Individual and major gifts)

5.80% In-Kind Goods & Services

5.30% Corporate Gifts

1.43% Grants

0.60% Investment Income

11.68% Special Events

Every person can

leave a legacy—not

just the wealthy.

Every wish makes

a lasting impact.

The photo at right

may look like just a

picture of a moped,

but to Johnathon, this

moped is the gift of

freedom.

Every day, Make-A-Wish transforms the

lives of children with life-threatening

medical conditions. Each wish brings

optimism and renewal. The experience

can help kids find the strength to live

with—or even overcome—their medical

condition. This can be your legacy.

You can help make wishes come true by

naming the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of

North Dakota as a beneficiary of your

estate. Consult your attorney and use this

sample bequest language.

I give the sum of $___ or ___% to the

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North

Dakota, 1102 43rd Street South, Suite

E, Fargo, ND 58103, to be used or

disposed of as its Board of Directors

deems appropriate in its sole discretion.

To learn about other ways that you can

make a legacy gift, please contact Billi at

701.280.9474.

77.9%Program

12.2%Fundraising

9.8% Management/General

FUNCTIONALEXPENSES

“We as healthy adults take the smallest things for granted whether it’s everyday tasks or trying new things. Then there are the kids that fight from one day to the next and can take nothing for granted. Seeing those kids not living a normal life and how even the smallest things make them smile really hits home with us. We are proud to be part of the Make-A-Wish organization.” — Lyn Lamb, Make-A-Wish® partner

MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION® OF NORTH DAKOTA

1102 43rd Street South, Suite E Fargo, ND 58103

Find us on:

Help us keep our mailing list updated!Send updates to the address above oremail: info@northdakota.wish.org.