ShopRite Supermarkets has long been rooted in the communities it serves, creating spaces where everyday moments turn into meaningful connections and support for local families. It’s a team that believes a supermarket can be a powerful place for community connection - a space built not just to serve shoppers, but to serve the people and causes beyond their walls that matter most. 

As we celebrate 40 Years of Wishes, we’re proud to spotlight ShopRite Supermarkets, whose decade-long partnership with Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley has helped turn community support into life-changing joy and hope for children battling critical illnesses across our region. 

Our relationship with ShopRite began in 2016 through Board Director Gerry Ryan, who was helping design their store at the time and introduced their team to our mission. What started as a single conversation quickly grew into something much bigger - a reminder that one connection can spark lasting impact. 

Since then, ShopRite has become one of our most dedicated partners. Through their annual April point-of-sale campaign, at close to 30 Hudson Valley locations, they have raised more than $1,000,000 over the past decade to help grant life-changing local wishes. This impact is driven by committed leadership and passionate employees who turn everyday customer interactions into opportunities to share our mission and inspire community support. 

Each April, ShopRite stores transform into community hubs where employees, volunteers, and wish families gather over information tables, games, and activities that bring our mission to life. The stores become more than places to shop - they become places where neighbors come together to make a difference for families facing some of life’s hardest challenges. 

In 2022, ShopRite was honored as the Corporate Partner honoree at our annual Wish Ball in recognition of their longstanding commitment to Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley, including years of impactful fundraising, community-wide checkout campaigns, and unwavering support that has helped grant life-changing wishes to children throughout the Hudson Valley.

That spirit shines brightest during ShopRite’s annual Wish Reveal celebrations. From granting Oriana’s wish to go to Hawaii in 2023 to celebrating Lilly’s wish to visit Disney World in 2025, these events turn stores into joyful community celebrations filled with school bands, law enforcement, community partners, and cheering shoppers. In those moments, the entire store becomes a stage for hope, joy, and possibility. 

At the heart of this partnership is a leadership philosophy that guides everything they do. As President and Chief Executive Officer of ShopRite Supermarkets, Inc., Steve Savas lives by a simple but powerful motto: “If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters.” That belief is reflected in their unwavering commitment to supporting wish families year after year. 

Over time, ShopRite has become more than a corporate partner - they’ve become a true champion for local children, proving that a business grounded in community values can create extraordinary impact. Every campaign, celebration, and conversation helps turn uncertainty into hope for families who need it most. 

It takes a community to bring a wish to life. A simple introduction can grow into a decade of impact, and a team committed to integrity and service can help change the course of a child’s life. 

As we celebrate 40 Years of Wishes, the entire ShopRite family reminds us that hope can be found in the most familiar places - and that when a community comes together, life-changing moments become possible.