The Organization: Make-a-Wish Connecticut The DATE: November 1, 2014 The STORY: It may seem the stuff of fairytales to be in the business of granting wishes, but that’s exactly what Make-A-Wish Connecticut does for children in this state. This past year, the Trumbull-based branch of the national charity granted 185 wishes to children aged two-and-a-half to 18 years living with life-threatening medical conditions. “It was a record-setting year,” says Michael Dominick, community media relations manager at Make-A-Wish Connecticut. “That is more than ever before. [In past years, only up to 170 wishes were granted.] It was definitely something worth celebrating, but granting more wishes means needing more money.” Make-A-Wish Connecticut hosted its signature fundraising event, the 15th Annual Celebrating Wishes Ball, at the Greenwich Country Club on Saturday, November 1. The average wish costs about $10,000, and as a 100 percent donor-funded charity, they rely heavily on public generosity to make the dreams of children come true. The chapter has granted more than 2,400 wishes since its inception in 1986, and over 200,000 wishes have been granted nationally since 1980. One Make-A-Wish child named Henry from Westport shared his wish story at this year’s ball. During his six short years, Henry has experienced 40 months of constant chemotherapy. His wish? To go to the Cayman Islands and swim with sting rays. His wish was granted this past June when he finished his treatments. Other Make-A-Wish children attended the ball donning “Ask me about my wish” pins, which Dominick says “kept the whole night tied to the mission.” Wishes run the gamut from bedroom makeovers to Hawaiian vacations. The most popular wish by far is a trip to Walt Disney World. “We like to celebrate a wish at the ball so [the donors] can understand what we do,” he says. Every year, the charity aims to raise $500,000 at the ball, and Dominick says it looks like the charity will reach that goal again this year. For more information on Make-A-Wish Connecticut, visit ct.wish.org. If you have an organization with an event that you’d like us to consider for the Community page, please send the details to khartman@connecticutmag.com