July 20, 2020 - Trailblaze Challenge Shifts To Virtual Event 

With the safety of our wish kids and families, volunteers, hikers, supporters and staff as our top priority, Make-A-Wish® Michigan has shifted our 2020 Trailblaze Challenge to a virtual event. While we are unable to gather for an in-person event, we know that our Trailblaze community of supporters remain committed to hiking to grant wishes for children in our community. With more than 800 Michigan children waiting for their wishes, including more than 200 children whose wishes are delayed because of COVID-19, wish kids need hope now more than ever. Instead of gathering for the event, hikers will have an opportunity to hike 21 miles in their local area on hike weekend, Sept. 11-13. By participating in Virtual Trailblaze Challenge 2020, supporters can help Make-A-Wish Michigan continue to grant the wishes that are safe to grant today and ensure that vital funds are in place for the wishes of tomorrow. Register today. 

June 12, 2020 - Important Announcement Regarding When Stars Align: A Celebration of Hope 

Due to ongoing public and health concerns, Make-A-Wish® Michigan has made the necessary decision to shift When Stars Align: A Celebration of Hope, scheduled to be held at DeVos Place on Sept. 19, to a virtual event. As we continue to navigate rapidly changing circumstances, our priority at Make-A-Wish Michigan is the safety of our Make-A-Wish family, including our wish kids and families, volunteers, supporters, event participants and staff. 

While we will not gather in person, our virtual event will feature a fun, inspiring and mission-rich program online on Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. that celebrates all that is possible When Stars Align to make wishes come true. Please plan to join us for this virtual event on Facebook, Instagram or YouTube. A link will be available closer to the event date. We encourage you to consider hosting an in-person Watch Party and invite guests to support the Make-A-Wish mission. For more information about hosting an in-person Watch Party, please email Ashley Sanregret. We look forward to celebrating with you virtually on Sept. 19 and helping make wishes come true for Michigan children battling critical illnesses! 

May 6, 2020 - Important Announcement Regarding the 2020 WAM Tour 

Please view this special edition of WAM Nuts and Bolts for an important update from WAM Tour Directors Kedrin Gall and Kelli Jo Peltier. 

Make-A-Wish® Michigan has made the necessary decision to shift our 2020 Wish-A-Mile® Bicycle Tour to a virtual event due to health considerations surrounding COVID-19. This is not a decision that was made lightly, yet our top priority is the safety of our wish kids and families, volunteers, riders, supporters and staff. 

At Make-A-Wish® Michigan we are so thankful to our generous supporters and our amazing volunteers who make transformational wishes possible. This is an unprecedented time for all of us, as circumstances around us continue to evolve daily. COVID-19 has had an impact on the wishes we are able to grant right now as well as our fundraising events. 

Our priority at Make-A-Wish Michigan is the safety of our Make-A-Wish family, including our wish kids and families, volunteers, supporters, event participants and staff. We recently made the difficult decision to postpone all domestic and international travel wishes through at least June 30. This means that the travel wishes of more than 150 Michigan families who had wish trips scheduled in the coming months have been postponed. We are hard at work, granting the wishes that can be fulfilled at this time and preparing for the many wishes that will need to be granted once we are through this season. 

We have seen many outside fundraisers have to cancel or postpone their events, and we have made several adjustments to our signature events. We have decided to transition our Walk For Wishes – Southeast Michigan scheduled for May 2 and our Walk For Wishes – Northern Michigan scheduled for June 13 to virtual events. Please join us for one of these virtual events and walk in your neighborhoods to help make wishes come true! 

Register today for our virtual Walk For Wishes – Southeast Michigan 

Register today for our virtual Walk For Wishes – Northern Michigan 

Our Wish Ball – West Michigan scheduled for May 8 has been postponed. Please save the date for an event on Saturday, Sept. 19, at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids. This “re-imagined” event, sponsored by Teeny Tiny Toy Store, will feature a fun, inspiring and mission-rich gathering that brings our West Michigan community together to witness all that is possible When Stars Align to make wishes come true. 

Our Wish-A-Mile Bicycle Tour, Make-A-Wish Michigan’s largest fundraiser, is still scheduled to take place July 23-26, 2020. Visit wishamile.org to register, become a sponsor or for more information. We will continue to monitor guidance from the state, national and international public health, and government organizations, keeping the best interest of our wish families, supporters, volunteers, event participants and employees at the center of all decisions we make. 

Because of the current “Stay Home, Stay Safe order” in Michigan, our staff is working remotely from the safety of their homes. The office is closed to the public until at least May 1. However, we are all available by email, phone, etc. So please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Here is a link to our staff directory. 

Learn how you can show your support and share a Message of Hope with wish kids who are waiting for their wishes to come true. 

As always, we remain committed to our vision of granting the wish of every eligible child fighting a critical illness. Your support is as critical as ever because there are more than 800 Michigan wish kids waiting for their wishes to come true. Your help today will bring hope and joy to wish kids in your community tomorrow. If you’d like to assist Make-A-Wish Michigan during this difficult time, please donate today at http://michigan.wish.org/donate