The university has added a chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of The Mid-Atlantic, Inc., an organization with a mission to grant the wishes of children with life-threating illnesses.
“There are a lot of people who need help,” said Maryland Wishes President Vivian Wang, a sophomore cell biology and genetics major. “Those of us who are more fortunate should do what we can.”
The group, which already has 100 members, was founded in the spring, and received SGA backing Oct. 18. This chapter, with its rallying cry of “one child at a time,” was established to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic, which aims to cheer up the lives of children by granting their wishes.
The most popular request is a trip to Disney World, and an average wish costs $7,000, the price the group must pay before it sponsors its first child. The group raises the money and then sends it to the local chapter that interacts with the children.
“It’s something to be proud of – helping someone who has a dream,” said sophomore biology major Casey Miller.
Miller, who is the fundraising chair, said she is excited with the new possibilities for fundraisers, such as selling Maryland Wishes T-shirts, benefit concerts or selling concessions at Terps’ games.
“We don’t have a lot set in stone right now,” said Miller. “But [fundraising options] could go anywhere.”
The only thing holding the group back is financial support, which is one of the reasons the group joined the SGA.
“That’s what we need the most,” said Miller. “In order to raise money, we need to spend money.”
The Community Relations and Workplace Giving Coordinator of The Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic Inc. Shelly Sinclair said this is the first focused effort by a campus-wide club on wishes for children.
“A lot of people don’t look at college students [when raising funds for the cause] because they aren’t known for having money,” said Sinclair. “These students are really passionate, and they have a lot of time for volunteering.”
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