1986     The Chapter was founded by insurance businessman, Sidney Friedman and operated out of a donated office space in center city Philadelphia.  Named Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Philadelphia, it was the 51^st chapter of Make-A-Wish and was entirely managed by volunteers. 

1989     Still an all-volunteer organization; Chapter President Sidney Friedman proudly reports fulfilling  35 wishes for eligible children for the fiscal year. 

1990     Board appoints Krista Friedrich as the first full-time salaried Executive Director.  

1993     Chapter expanded its territory to include the 4 suburban counties that comprise Southeastern, PA.   

1997     Dennis Heron was appointed Executive Director, now President and CEO. 

2000     Chapter fulfills its 1000^th wish 

2005     Chapter fulfills its 2000^th wish 

2006     Chapter receives its first 4-star rating from Charity Navigator that ran consecutively for 7 years; in addition was the highest rated chapter within MAW by Charity Navigator. Chapter received National award for Chapter of Excellence. 

2007     Received National award for Outstanding Performance. Chapter received its highest single donation ($337,000) from a golf outing hosted by De Lage Landen Financial Services.  

2008     Chapter completes merger between Philadelphia & Southeastern Pennsylvania and the Susquehanna Valley chapters to form Make-A-Wish^® Philadelphia & Susquehanna Valley serving 10 counties in Pennsylvania. The Mother’s Day Truck Convoy started by the Susquehanna Valley chapter continues under the newly merged Chapter, generating $300,000+ in revenue annually with over $1.4 million raised since its inception.  

2009     The prestigious “Power of One Award” was bestowed to the Chapter at the ABLE conference. 

2011     Chapter received National awards for Outstanding Chapter Achievement and Outstanding Chapter Fundraising.   

2012     Chapter fulfilled over 4600 wishes to date.  Received National awards for Outstanding Chapter Achievement, Outstanding Fundraising Performance, and Wish Fulfillment. Chapter personnel  have participated in National program initiatives: Chapter Advisory Panel, Mission Delivery Task Force, Chapter Fundraising Task Force, Mission, Vision and Values Task Force and also supported the translation from English to Spanish on numerous eligibility forms.  

2013     Received National awards for Benchmark of Excellence, Fundraising Performance and Wish Fulfillment, and surpassed $1 million mark for chapter contributions to the Wish Fulfillment Fund.  

2014     Chapter fulfills its 5000^th wish with two celebratory experiences in both regions (Philadelphia & Hershey). Mother’s Day Truck Convoy marks its 25^th Anniversary. Chapter territory realignment now includes servicing children living in New Castle County, Delaware.  Received National Fundraising Performance Award.  

2014     Chapter completes merger with New Castle County Delaware 

2017     Chapter completes merger with Kent and Sussex County Delaware