Columbia, SC – On July 17, the St. Andrews Optimist Club welcomed Mary Silverberg, Director of Developmental Operations for the South Carolina chapter of Make-A-Wish, as their guest speaker. Pictured from the event are Steve Odom, speaker coordinator, Mary Silverberg, Club President Kerry Powers, and speaker sponsor J.B. Beckett, who presented Silverberg with a copy of the Optimist Creed.
Founded in 1984, the South Carolina chapter of Make-A-Wish aims to grant the wishes of children aged 2-1/2 to 18 years old diagnosed with critical illnesses. The chapter, headquartered in Greenville, consists of a Board of Directors and 205 dedicated volunteers. The national organization is recognized as the most trusted nonprofit in the United States, operating in all 50 states.
Since its inception, the South Carolina chapter has granted over 4,000 wishes, with typical wishes falling into five categories:
- TO GO: Travel to a desired destination.
- TO BE: Shadowing a professional in the young person’s dream job.
- TO MEET: Meeting a personal hero.
- TO HAVE: Receiving a specific material possession.
- TO GIVE: Performing a deed that benefits others.
The impact of granting a wish extends beyond the immediate joy it brings. Benefits include an improved outlook on life, better coping mechanisms for difficult situations, increased joy and hope, enhanced family unity, and providing a tool to confront hopelessness, trauma, and depression. In some cases, the wish experience has positively influenced medical outcomes.
In the current fiscal year (September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024), 255 wishes have already been granted, with the average cost of fulfilling a wish being approximately $7,500. There are 378 young people with approved wishes still waiting to be granted. Impressively, 74% of the funds raised go directly towards granting these wishes.
The South Carolina chapter also organizes a bi-annual hiking program, requiring adult volunteers to undergo training to participate. Moreover, Make-A-Wish has cultivated an 18-year relationship with ESPN, which airs “My Wish” segments featuring interactions between wish recipients and sports heroes. One recent segment highlighted an 11-year-old boy from Rock Hill meeting his favorite Dodger, Freddie Freeman, in Los Angeles.
Silverberg’s presentation to the Optimists highlighted the organization’s profound impact on the lives of children with critical illnesses and their families, underscoring the importance of community support in making these wishes come true.
Pictured are Steve Odom, speaker coordinator, Silverberg, Club President Kerry Powers, and speaker sponsor J. B. Beckett. Beckett presented a copy of the Optimist Creed to Ms. Silverberg.
