The Make-A-Wish chapter serving Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia received a First Federal Charitable Foundation grant it will use as part of its Wishmaker program.
The Wishmaker donation will be used to completely underwrite the wish of a child living in the area with a diagnosed life-threatening medical condition. All Wishmaker funds are 100 percent used to cover wish expenses.
Make-A-Wish Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia covers 57 counties in Pennsylvania, including Luzerne, Columbia, Schuylkill and Carbon, and all of West Virginia. Since 1983, the chapter has fulfilled the wishes of more than 19,000 children.
Officials from the organization said that, although they can’t cure a very ill child, they have found that “what we are able to accomplish nearly always has a most favorable effect on the child’s attitude toward medical treatment. We have many examples of children going into remission and remaining healthy, leaving no doubt that our program can make a difference.”
Maggie O’Brien, regional manager of the Scranton chapter of Make-A-Wish Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia, said, “First Federal Charitable Foundation is a critical asset to the community. Make-A-Wish is grateful to them and the role they play in assuring a safe, healthy and happy life for our area. Magical wishes for the sick children in our communities would not be possible without the support of First Federal Charitable Foundation.”
The First Federal Charitable Foundation was established to support worthwhile community causes. It strives to nurture nonprofit institutions and programs that will effectively serve those in need from the community, empower nonprofit institutions and programs that will expand their presence in and services to the area, and promote opportunities for new nonprofit institutions and programs that will serve the unserved.
Nonprofit organizations with a 501(c)(3) IRS designation that are located in Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon and Columbia counties are eligible to apply. Any organization whose headquarters is in another county but services either Luzerne, Schuylkill, Carbon or Columbia counties may apply for a grant to be used in one of those counties.