ShopRite’s annual two-week fundraising campaign to benefit Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley kicked off April 14, and was preceded by ShopRite of Carmel hosting a wish reveal for wish child Iyanna, who was surprised with the news that her wish to go to Walt Disney World is being granted.
Carmel Store Manager Bob Gillick worked closely with local law enforcement agencies – including the Lake Carmel, Carmel and Kent fire departments; Carmel EMS; and the Kent and Carmel police departments – to greet Iyanna at arrival with lights and sirens.
County Executive Kevin Byrne, Assemblyman Matt Slater and County Legislature Erin Crowley all presented Iyanna and her family with certificates marking the significance of her Wish Reveal Day.
Twenty-seven ShopRite stores throughout the Hudson Valley – including ShopRite of Carmel – are collecting donations at checkout through April 27 to support Make-A-Wish and its mission to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
Research shows children who have received a wish are able to build the physical and emotional strength needed to fight critical illnesses.
Since its inception in 1986, Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley has granted more than 3,200 wishes for children in the Hudson Valley region. To date, through shopper donations, ShopRite Supermarkets, Inc., has raised more than $790,000 for Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley and more than $970,000 in total, between all the Make-A-Wish chapters participating in the campaign.
“We are extremely grateful for ShopRite’s continued generosity and support of our organization,” said Kristine Burton, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley. “Through ShopRite’s continuous fundraising efforts and the community’s generous donations, we have the ability to provide more children and their families with life-changing experiences that can bring them joy in the face of truly challenging times. We’re looking forward to another successful fundraising campaign with this great community partner.”
The Hudson Valley chapter of Make-A-Wish includes eight counties. For more information, visit hudson.wish.org.