The
Saginaw Valley Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) recently celebrated a milestone in its ongoing community service efforts: its 25th annual Make-A-Wish Foundation benefit. Since first partnering with
the organization in 1985, the Saginaw Valley Chapter has helped raise more than $400,000 to fulfill the wishes of children who suffer from life-altering or life-threatening conditions.
The families of these children often are overwhelmed with medical expenses, but through the chapter’s support, 90 local children have been able to realize their dreams. More than 200 people attended this year’s benefit and helped raise $12,000.
“Twenty-five years ago we realized we wanted to contribute to the community, and we specifically wanted to work with children,” says Michelle Revette, director of operations for the Saginaw Valley Chapter. “It’s a lot of work, but the payoff is incredible.”
Make-A-Wish kids’ requests range from taking shopping trips and vacations to meeting celebrities. Ten-year old Bailey recently experienced the trip of a lifetime to Los Angeles, where she and her family rode in a limousine to a Miley Cyrus concert and met the teen idol.
Alyssa, a 10-year-old who suffers from a condition that causes her joints to swell painfully when exposed to the sun, realized her dream of going to Disney World with her family—including her father, who had been deployed with the National Guard.
Brian, a student who several years ago received the computer he so desperately wanted through Make-A-Wish, has since fully recovered, and is now finishing college and plans to get married.
The children and families who are sponsored through Make-A-Wish are a big part of the annual benefit hosted by the Saginaw Valley Chapter, serving as an inspiration to all who attend. The Wyman family, for example, has been actively involved with Make-A-Wish since their son Brandon received a revamped car on his 16th birthday. Though Brandon has since passed away, his family brings the car to the event each year.