Profile: Make A Wish Foundation of San Diego

Mission

We grant the wishes of children with life threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy.

History

In 1980, a group of policeman in Phoenix, Arizona fulfilled the wish of seven-year-old Chris Greicius, a 7-year-old boy who was battling leukemia. Chris’s one ambition in life was to be a policeman. He was sworn in as an honorary patrolman and equipped with a uniform, helmet and badge, and was even taken on a helicopter ride. Chris died five days later and was buried in his uniform and given a police funeral with full honors. From that humble beginning, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has spread throughout the country and abroad to become the largest wish granting organization in the world, with 69 local chapters, 23 international affiliates, and over 144,000 wishes granted to date.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of San Diego was chartered in 1983 has granted more than 2400 wishes to children in San Diego and Imperial Counties. In fiscal year 2008, we granted more than 160 wishes.

Administration

The work of the foundation is accomplished by a volunteer governing board of directors, a paid staff of eleven, and hundreds of dedicated volunteers. The chapter is a 501(c)3 non-profit incorporated in the state of California.