Wishes at Work

When the Make-A-Wish Foundation® was founded - from the granting of the very first wish - the business community in BC became a strong supporter of the Make-A-Wish® mission. As time went on and the business community continued to support the Foundation through corporate grants and donations, the employees of these organizations asked how they could be involved in making wishes come true. At first, the fund raisers were as simple as a payday collection or a bake sale, while still others were as involved as a company-wide cookbook.

Wishes at Work enables employees of a company or business to join together and design a fund raising event or an ongoing workplace campaign that fits the needs of their particular work environment. We are constantly amazed and delighted at the variety of ways in which employees raise money. Staff support from the Make-A-Wish Foundation is always available, and this packet is full of ideas, one of which may be right for your company.

How to Start Wishes at Work

If you would like to begin a Wishes at Work program, we would be happy to help. Here are some tips to get started:

Invite a Make-A-Wish® representative to talk to the employees or staff at your company.
We have talented speakers, videos, and lots of photos of our wish children. Once employees find out about the Make-A-Wish Foundation® and see the smiles a wish can bring to a child's face, they are usually eager to become involved.

Designate one person to be in charge.
This is an important step. An organized, enthusiastic person will keep the project on track. If you're planning to do several fund raisers over a period of time, consider forming a Make-A-Wish® committee.

Set a goal and chart your progress.
This is a great way to keep everyone working toward your fund raising goal. We can provide you with your own personalized thermometer chart. It's a great moral booster for everyone to see how you're progressing toward your goal.

Send in your money on a monthly basis.
Many companies prefer to send in their accrued donations frequently and ask us to track their progress. If you complete your project by December, you and your company representatives can present your donation live on the radio during our ROCK 101 12 Hours of Christmas campaign.

Challenge other offices, divisions, and departments.
This is a great way to get more people involved in your fund raiser. The more people involved, the more fun it can be and the more successful your fund raiser will be.

Get Involved in a Make-A-Wish Campaign

The Good Berry Program with Twin Berry Farms

Enjoy farm fresh blueberries this summer (June thru September) and help support the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Through Twin Berry Farms 'GoodBerry Program' you can have fresh blueberries delivered to your office and 15% will go towards granting wishes for children throughout BC & Yukon, Visit www.twinberryfarms.com or call 604 677-5033 to sign up for the GoodBerry Program.

Water For Wishes
Make-A-Wish Spring Water - great for stocking the office, corporate events, golf tournaments and generating public awareness for a great cause. A unique way to show your support.

Sweet Dreams Dessert Promotion
On April 29, we will be celebrating International Make-A-Wish Day with a delectable dessert promotion! Enjoy dessert at one of over 100 participating restaurants throughout BC and support the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of BC & Yukon Proceeds from every order of participating restaurants' featured desserts sold on April 29th will be donated to Make-A-Wish. And the best part? Every dessert will come with a candle for you to blow out so that you can make your own wish! Or host your own Dessert Day.

United Way and Corporate Giving

United Way While the Make-A-Wish Foundation® is not a United Way agency, we do participate in its Contributor's Choice program that is available at most United Way offices. Consider designating the Make-A-Wish Foundation for your United Way donation by writing in Make-A-Wish through your company's Employee Giving or Corporate Matching Program.

Corporate Giving

Matching Gift Funds
Among the perks offered by many medium and large-sized companies is a matching gifts program. Matching gifts are not just for higher education any more. Wider ranges of non-profits are eligible for them. Contact your company's human resource department to see if the Make-A-Wish Foundation qualifies for a company-matched gift. This is a great opportunity to increase and even double your collective contribution.

Customer Gifts
Instead of sending a promotional or holiday gift to each of your customers, send a donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in the name of that special person. A minimum of $10 per gift is suggested. We will send a letter to your customers telling them of your generosity.

Employee Giving

Employee Donations

Glow Star Day
Purchase Make-A-Wish Blue glow Stars from our office and collect donations for them and see how blue your office can go
Sporting Events or Concert Tickets
Donate tickets which you cannot use and we can pass them onto our Wish kids as enhancements and extras as they wait for their Wish or to help them through treatments, hospital stays or difficult times. ( Value of tickets are Tax Receiptable)
Casual Dress Down Day
Ever feel like wearing jeans to work? Pay to wear casual clothes for a day - or a week!
Coffee/Soda Machine
Does your company provide coffee or soda free of charge? If so, consider collecting a donation of 25 cents by placing a contribution basket next to the coffeepot. You'd be surprised how quickly those quarters add up!
Payday Collection
Each payday, collect a donation from everyone and send the money to the Make-A-Wish® Foundation. Or consider a payroll deduction program.
AirMiles Cards
Whereas Make-A-Wish is not an official charity of the AriMiles Program we do have one large account with cards to this account which friends of Make-A-Wish contribute their points. This generosity allows us to purchase Wish Enhancements, Auction Prizes and special gifts for Wish kids, past and present.

Employee Sales

Homemade Crafts Does anyone at your company knit, sew, paint, do woodwork, or make holiday ornaments? Tap the creative talents of your fellow workers for a pre-holiday craft show and sale.
Homemade Baked Goods
Every Friday a different department or team brings in homemade baked goods to sell at lunch.
Employee Cookbook
The favorite recipe of each employee is compiled into a cookbook. Sell to friends and co-workers.
Covered Dish Lunch Day
One department or team prepares lunch for the entire office and charges for each lunch. Consider salads or deli trays as well.

Other Great Ideas

Company Picnic Day
Turn your annual picnic in to a fund raiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The senior management of one local company sat in a dunking tank at the company picnic. Another company raised money through a "pie in the face" event.
Wine Tasting Evening
Partner with a local Wine Shop or host your own wine tasting evening with proceeds to Make-A-Wish
Baby Picture Contest
Hold a contest to identify your fellow employees using their baby pictures. Try to include pictures from a wide group of employees or consider gathering baby pictures of the senior management team. Sell chances to guess which baby is which!
Weigh-A-Ton
After all the bake sales and candy sales, this idea will be popular and healthy! Each dieter contributes weekly, and the winner (or in this case, the biggest loser) splits the money with the Foundation.
Theme Dance
Plan a company wide dance. Oldies, big band, and Western themes are popular.

Auctions and Raffles

Auctions

Secure donated items through solicitations. This can be done in person, by phone or through the mail. We will provide you with a letter to use to announce your fund raiser and ask for support.

Silent Auctions
Display all the donated items attractively and consider placing a minimum or starting bid for each item. Next to each item, place a "bid sheet" where those interested in that particular item can write their name and the amount they are willing to pay. At the designated closing time for all bids, the person who has made the highest bid for any particular item pays that amount and wins the item.
On Line Auction
Collect exciting, unique or coveted prizes and host an on-line auction for Make-A-Wish
Chinese Auction
Display all donated items, placing an empty container or basket next to each item. Sell tickets for a set price and ask the buyer to write his or her name on each ticket. People "bid" for the item by placing one of the pre-purchased tickets in the container or basket next to the item. At the end of the auction, each prize is awarded to the person whose ticket is drawn from the container.

Raffles

50/50 This is the easiest and most popular way to get your fund raising started. Choose a raffle ticket price. Decide, for example, that each ticket will cost $1. Then 50% or 50 cents of each dollar is awarded to the winning ticket holder, and the other 50 cents goes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Donated Item/Gift Certificates
Raffle off a gift certificate, which has been solicited from a local restaurant, hotel, or business for lunch, dinner, lodging, or special services such as a facial or car detailing. We will provide you with a letter to use to announce your fund raiser and ask for support.
Theme Baskets
Baskets of cheer, baskets for golfers and gardeners, or beauty and bath packages have all been successful. Choose a theme and ask employees to donate one item. Them combine all the items to make a spectacularly full gift basket. These baskets can be raffled off through purchased tickets. If you work for a mid- to large-size company, consider having each employee team or department donate a theme basket for the raffle. Display the baskets in a central location or lobby. (This has been one of our most successful fundraisers!)
Bonus Vacation Day
Raffle off an extra day of vacation.
Free Parking
Sell chances for free parking in the President's spot for one week.
Free Lunch
Raffle free lunch coupons for a week at the employee cafeteria.

Holiday Ideas

Holiday Gift Wrap
Wrap holiday presents for fellow employees - this is great for those last minute shoppers.
Stars Trees
If you have a lot of visitors to your office at a holiday time, this is a great way to get your office tree decorated. Fashion stars out of colorful paper and sell the stars for $1. The buyer writes his or her name on the star and hangs it on the tree.
Non Event
Host a Make-A-Wish Non Event. "Overwhelmed with too many holiday invites & too little time to attend them all? In exchange for a minimum donation of $20.00, you will receive a 'ticket' to the "Non-Event"… the event you do not have to attend. So, when Tony & Tina invite you to their annual "Kiss Under the Mistletoe Party" you can tell them you have a Make-A-Wish event that night. Kick back beside a cozy fire, and enjoy the most relaxing event you'll have this season.
Holiday Candy Sales
Before holidays such as Valentine's Day, Easter or Halloween, contact a candy company and arrange to purchase candy from them. Take orders from your friend and family and sell the candy at a profit.