2011 annual report - Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County ...

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our staff & board president & ceo Stephanie McCormick director of finance: Jeff Wacha administrative: Evelyn Morad, Office Manager Maria Ruvalcaba, Operations Assistant program services department: Michelle Conrad, Director of Wishes Christina Sandoval, Asst. Wish Manager Karla Shemtov, Asst. Wish Manager Michelle Cuellar, Senior Wish Coordinator Monica Fierro, Document Administrator Desiree Au, Wish Coordinator Lilliana Gomez, Wish Concept Coordinator Robyn Dawley, Wish Support Coordinator development department: Sarah Pizzaruso, Director of Development Kimberly Stauffer, Development Manager Christine Gaxiola, Donor Care Manager Rebecca Kwait, Asst. Development Manager Tina Robinette, Senior Dev. Coordinator Courtney Dockstader, Dev. Coordinator Kelly Yamamoto, Donor Care Coordinator Colleen Donovan, PR Coordinator Marissa McGuire, Volunteer Srvcs Coordinator Board of directors: Jon Storbeck, Chairman Michael Rapacz, Vice Chair Jeff Elder, Audit Chair Bryan Smeltzer, Development Chair John Link, FAC Chair Tino Pagano, Governance Chair Rob Gundling, At Large Ron Barnard, Director Jim Carol, Director John Hamilton, Director Dr. Danny Kim, Director John Kontos, Director Mike Lednovich, Director Dr. Kimberly Motta, Director Ferril Onyett, Director Gretchen Sheckler, Director Joel Solomon, Director JC Timmons, Director Jace, age 3 “I WIsh to have an outdoor play set” on the cover perris, ca – Jace’s all-time favorite pastime is to play outdoors on the public playground. when he was diagnosed with leukemia, he could no longer make the trip to his favorite place. he missed swinging and climbing on the outdoor equipment so much that for Jace’s most heartfelt wish, he wanted an outdoor play set in his own backyard. Jace and his mom searched online for hours to find the perfect swing set for Jace. eventually, they found one that they knew would suit him perfectly. it was a set complete with a bumpy slide, monkey bars, a fort, a glider and two swings. working together, the Make-a-wish foundation and Jace’s family threw Jace a surprise party to present him with his new play set. After a brunch with his grandparents, Jace came home to find not only his new set, but all of his closest family and friends to celebrate with him. “Jace could not believe his eyes,” his mom said. “he ran straight to the bubble machine and climbed into his fort and proceeded to shoot anybody who walked by with bubbles.” since Jace’s wish party, he has spent almost every day playing on his new play set. Jace and his sister regularly enjoy eating dinner at the built-in picnic bench, and he can often be found laughing and enjoying all of the fun features. Jace’s wish has given him a clean and safe environment to play in – to forget about his medical condition and feel like a normal kid again. Jace’s wish was adopted by dave’s wish ride, hosted by dave rusk.
from the chaIrman Jon storbeck Chairman of the Board to our donors, Volunteers, wish families, staff, and my fellow Board Members: Looking back on 2011, I like to think of this past year as a “Renaissance” period for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire. It was a year that brought its fair share of changes, but also a year full of hard work, possibility, new beginnings and from my viewpoint, renewed optimism and passion for the future of our Chapter. After 10 years of dedication and service to others in his role as CEO, Mark Pilon left the chapter for new opportunities. I would like to personally thank Mark for those years of dedication and for his passionate stewardship of the organization through many years of growth and change. As we began our search for a new CEO, the board was particularly focused on finding the right person who could address the challenges of the present, and have the vision to anticipate the challenges of the future ... and we found that person in Stephanie McCormick. This marked the beginning of many leadership changes that would take place, but through it all there was one aspect that never wavered, and that was our goal of granting wishes for children. I am so appreciative and so proud of our staff who worked diligently to stay focused on this goal, even in the midst of the changes we were facing, and the challenges that inevitably resulted. I’ve learned something over the years. Although challenges may be filled with difficulty, many times there is also a feeling of triumph once you’ve made it through. During the changes in leadership, we had the opportunity to promote from within the Make-A-Wish Foundation family for many of our vital roles. In addition to selecting a new CEO who is already providing vision and clear direction for our ever-expanding program, we increased our presence by recruiting strong, dedicated and influential members of the Orange County and Inland Empire communities for our Board of Directors. We are on a great path as we all cross the bridge between where we were, and where we are headed in 2012. To our donors and volunteers, I’m particularly glad you’re on this path with us. You are a crucial part of providing wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions and their families. Through your generous contributions, you offer them the chance to focus on, and be motivated by, something beyond their current circumstances. Make no mistake, the time and money you give are not only gifts, they are investments that you make in their lives by keeping their future positive and allowing them to dream again. Without you, their “One True Wish” could very well be out of reach. The hope, strength and joy generated by our donors, volunteers and staff every time a wish is granted are gifts that inspire everyone. Thank you for the role you play in giving these gifts, and for the many smiles you will help create in 2012! Best Wishes, we invite you to join the wish society, our chapter’s new membership opportunity exclusively for annual donors who are committed to fulfilling our vision of granting a wish to every eligible child. As a member of the Wish Society, you will be essential to the continuation of our chapter’s mission of providing hope, strength and joy to children who need it most – all while receiving exclusive benefits according to your membership level. WIsh socIety To find out more or to become a member of the exclusive wish society, please contact: christine gaxiola, donor care Manager at cgaxiola@wishocie.org or 714.689.0983 x220 2
Page 1: official newsletter of the Make-a-w
Page 5 and 6: from the ceo dear friends, Last yea
Page 7 and 8: Donor AcknowleDgement San Manuel Ba
Page 9 and 10: Donor AcknowleDgement Daniels Wood
Page 11 and 12: K-8 SchoolS As part of a class proj
Page 13 and 14: Wishes in Flight You hold the ticke
Page 15 and 16: the 5th annual rollIng for WIshes e

2011 annual report - Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County ...

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