Posted on January 9, 2024
Trumbull, Conn. – The Connecticut State Bond Commission approved $500,000 in funding for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut in December. The money will be used for renovations and improvements to the organization’s Trumbull headquarters. State Representatives Tony Scott (R-112) and Dave Rutigliano (R-123) joined Make-A-Wish staff and Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz for a tour of the facility on January 8, 2024.
“The Make-A-Wish Foundation not only grants wishes to critically ill children, but they use their facility to let children step outside of their illness and just be a kid in this creative, interactive space,” said Rep. Scott. “There’s currently a waitlist of wishes to be fulfilled in Connecticut. I encourage anyone looking to donate to an organization to contribute what they can to Make-A-Wish to help them get through some of these requests.”
Each year, Make-a Wish CT grants wishes to about 250 critically ill children throughout the state. Organization leaders say their work is part of a pivotal experience during treatment and recovery because it gives children something to look forward to and renews their strength to fight their illnesses.
“Make-A-Wish is an amazing organization for children. I’ve witnessed firsthand the positive impact Make-A-Wish has had on children in Connecticut. Seeing the smile of young children while they are facing difficult health hardships is inspiring,” said Rep. Rutigliano. “I am pleased Connecticut was able to provide a state grant for this endeavor. Trumbull is lucky to have Make-A-Wish in our community.”
The Wishing Place upgrades with the state bond money will include a “virtual aquarium” and other enhanced virtual reality inside the building, and extensive enhancements outside that include a pollinator pathway, lighting and sound installation near our walkways, garden, and ponds so that they can be used in the evenings with the kids playing with remote-controlled boats in the pond.
Since its founding in 1986, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut has granted almost 4,000 wishes. About 400 kids are waiting, the highest they’ve ever had.
President & Chief Executive Officer Pam Keough says the organization recently launched a fundraising campaign to carry out wishes that have been waiting to be granted because of the pandemic. In February 2023, a sewage flood caused over $300,000 in damage to their 56 Commerce Drive facility. The repair work was extensive, covering two floors of the building.