October 1982

Bay Area wish granting efforts began with formation of ‘Dreams Come True.’  A few months after its creation, in order to take advantage of the connections and experience of Make-A-Wish, participants voted to join the national foundation. 

November 1983

Union City Police Officer Association, spearheaded by Union City police officer Steve Rank, began to explore ways to grant wishes for children with critical illnesses. 

January 16, 1984

Both groups, Dreams Come True and the Union City Police Association, met at the home of Patsy Gardner, hosted by Thousand Oaks teacher Brad Warren, to discuss fundraising strategies and what territories the chapters would cover. Steve Rank anticipated a SF chapter based in Palo Alto and an East Bay Chapter based in Alameda. 

January 30, 1984 

Articles of Incorporation were signed and the East Bay Make-A-Wish Foundation was formed. It was the 25th chapter created under the auspices of Make-A-Wish America. 

February 1, 1984 

Phones installed at the offices of Make-A-Wish East Bay in Hayward, California.

February 3, 1984

The first request for a wish comes in. James “J.D.” Montes wishes to visit the set of NBC’s Knight Rider and meet the cast. 

February 16, 1984

J.D. receives the first wish to be granted by the chapter!

April 1984 

Don Arnold and Michele Harris address a group for the first time and aim to recruit volunteers and funding from the 80 local Rotary Club members. 

September 27, 1984

Wine tasting fundraising held at the Bay Bank of Commerce in San Leandro raises $1300.

October 1984

Wish for highly coveted Cabbage Patch Kid granted for 7-year-old child with a brain tumor.

1985 

President, Steve Rank leaves East Bay Make-A-Wish Foundation. Don Arnold becomes new Board of Directors President. 

Don Arnold and Pat Keller are invited to the SF daytime talk show titled People are Talking. A young wish kid, Jamie who was battling a brain tumor, had just gotten back from her wish of visiting her grandparents across the country. Jamie, along with her parents, were guests on the daytime talk show hosted by Ann and Ross, along with Pat Keller and Don Arnold. At the end of the show, they interviewed Jamie, and her testament won the hearts of the viewers. This was a huge turning point for the chapter, making the public aware of Make-A-Wish, reaching more volunteers, and collecting monetary support. An anonymous individual in San Rafael called shortly after the show asking to meet with Pat saying that she should expect a check. She brought along her daughter-in-law for the ride. After talking for about an hour, he was hooked to the mission. To her surprise, he and his wife handed Pat a $100,000 check and they drove home in utter shock.  

March 6, 1985 

Certificate of Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation signed by President Don Arnold and Secretary Debbie Swindell changes the chapter name from East Bay Make-A-Wish Foundation to the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation.

1986

The chapter passes the 100-wish milestone.

The Alameda District California Federation of Women's Club models in a fashion show for the benefit of Make-A-Wish.

April 25, 1986 

Hosted by Livermore Mayor Dale Turner, approximately 80 Tri-Valley residents pay $25 each to see the Oakland Democrat Pete Stark publicly lampooned. All proceeds donated to Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area.

July 1986 

Don Arnold steps down as Board of Directors President, remains on Board as Past President. Bob Marden becomes President of the Board.

1987

The North Bay Division was integrated as part of Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area. The chapter surpasses 200 wishes granted.

February 14, 1987 

More than 100 senior citizens danced to musical hits of the 1930s and 1940s during a Valentine’s Day dance and raised $713. The money was handed to Pat Keller in the form of loose $1 and $5-dollar bills.

August 1987 

Bob Marden steps down as Board of Directors President and Don Arnold begins his second term as President.

January 13, 1988 

Debbie Swindell, one of the four founders of the chapter, becomes new Board of Director President for Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area as Don Arnold becomes Past President once again. 

March 1988 

The second annual Make-A-Wish variety show was held at Modesto's Community College. There were sung performances from children of the area. The benefit was a success and raised $4,000 for wishes. 

April 15, 1988 

Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area hosts their first dinner-dance, “Wishes Do Come True,” which raised $10,000. 

February 27, 1989 

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 33 (ACR #33) was introduced by assemblywomen Delaine Eastin. ACR #33 was to have the governor proclaim the month of June 1989, as Make-A-Wish month in California.  

March 6, 1989 

Assemblywoman Delaine Eastin writes letter to Board President, Debbie Swindell, to inform her of the introduction to the State Assembly of ACR #33, to make June Make-A-Wish month in California. 

April 27, 1989 

ACR #33 passed on the Assembly floor! 

May 26, 1989 

The resolution of ACR #33 was approved by the State Legislature. The next steps are for the resolution to be chaptered into law by the Secretary of State and then to the Govenor to achieve actual proclamation. 

Summer 1989

The chapter office moves to 22632 Foothill Boulevard in Hayward

February 1990 

Debbie Swindell steps down as President and Greg Harrington becomes new President of the Board. 

May 1990 

Oakland native philanthropist Ken Hofmann teams up with the 49ers and Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area to bring excitement, more awareness, and dollars to the cause of Make-A-Wish. The Hofmann Foundation pledges to donate $2000 for every rushing touchdown by the 49ers. The message is displayed on the jumbo screen for everyone to see! 

December 1990 

Pat Keller retires as Executive Director due to the advise of her physician, but promises to support and counsel the organization in the best way she can. She relishes all that has been accomplished during her 6.5 years with the organization. At the time of her leave, Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area was one of the largest chapters with four active divisions and volunteers throughout the greater Bay Area. 

1991 

Lynda Carr becomes first paid staff member as Executive Director, following Pat Keller’s leave. 

The chapter holds its first “Volunteer Appreciation Day” event at the Holiday Inn in Union City.

The chapter grants 148 wishes in 1991.

July 1991 

Greg Harrington steps down as President and Bob Montgomery becomes the new Board President. 

December 14, 1991 

29 wish children and their families departed from the Alameda Naval Air Station on a DC-9 for a “fantasy flight” to Santa’s home in the North Pole. The plane technically never left the ground, but that didn't stop the flight attendant, Ronal McDonald, from handing out Happy Meals to all the excited passengers. 

December 5, 1992 

Several life-size one-of-a-kind playhouses are auctioned off as Blackhawk Plaza as a benefit for the chapter. In all $67,700 was raised with a net gain of $53,000, making it the largest internal fundraiser for to date. 

1993 

The chapter expanded its staff and moved to 1298 14th St. in San Leandro thanks to the donated suite of offices by Wells Fargo Bank. 

May 17-22, 1993 

The World Croquet Championship fundraiser is held at Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards. This fundraiser raised $100,000, to become the new largest fundraising event held on behalf of the chapter to date. 

August 1993 

The chapter grants it's 1,000th wish. Then-President Bill Clinton writes from The White House congratulating the Greater Bay Area chapter on fulfilling 1,000 wishes. 

“May you fulfill one thousand more wishes in the years to come” - President Bill Clinton 

September 1993 

Bob Montgomery steps down as President of the Board. Michele Benjamin becomes new President.

June 1994

The chapter launches its Adopt-A-Wish program, with 34 corporate and individual donors having adopted wishes that year. At the time, the average cash cost of a wish was $2,500.

Summer 1994 

Sylvia Zanello becomes new Executive Director. 

1997 

The chapter grants its 2,000th wish to wish kid Aaron, who wished to be a cowboy.

November 9, 1998 

Patricia Wilson begins as Executive Director.

December 29, 1998 

Lynne Durie begins her tenure with the chapter.

2002 

Offices move from 785 Market St to 120 Montgomery St #1080 

The chapter's 3,000th wish is granted to wish kid Matthew, who wished to go to New York to see where his uncle lived.

November 2004 

Offices move from 120 Montgomery St #1080 to 235 Pine St 

February 13, 2006 

Wish kid Christopher is granted the 4000th wish! His wish was to meet Barry Bonds. The SF Giants hosted a celebration for wish kids and their families at their stadium.

November 8, 2007 

The chapter grants the 4,500th wish, Dayssi's wish to be a ballerina.

August 25, 2008 

The 5,000th wish is granted to wish kid David! His wish was to give back to help the environment. He visited the UC Berkeley Environmental Lab and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory where he test drove e-cars and visited Far Niente Winery.

February 2010 

Offices move from 235 Pine St to 55 Hawthorne St in San Francisco

June 30, 2012 

The chapter's 6,00th wish goes to Avery, who wishes to go to San Diego and visit SeaWorld.

November 2013 

Wish kid Miles becomes Batkid!

October 3, 2016 

Betsy Biern is hired as CEO of Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area.

July 2017 

Chapter offices move to current location: 1333 Broadway, Oakland.

8000th wish is granted! 

September 27, 2022 

Jacob (15), of Windsor, is granted the 9000th wish from the chapter! He wishes to go to Hawaii in celebration of being cancer free for three years.