I have donated over the years to the Make-A-Wish foundation – Today on CBS’s Early show they did a short story about several underpriveleged families who were given wonderful trips to places they’d dreamed of going (Disneyworld, etc) – really heartwarming – these were very poor people who otherwise would never get to travel or experience anything like that. But here is my question – I personally know of a family who is very well off – the father has an extremely successful CPA firm with 6 regional offices, and he often brags about making so-an-so million dollars per year now, because he has become so big & successful. That’s great, no problem. He and his wife have 2 sons, one was born with CP. (the other is fine, successful adult now). He contacted the local Make-A-Wish office and arranged an all expense paid luxury trip to Manhatten (they live in FL). They wanted to see some Broadways shows, and go to some of the tapings of the Late Night type shows (Leno [when he was still in NY], Letterman, etc). Of course some nice dinners at fine restaurants also. The trip that M-A-W set up for them included Limo service around town, the full works, very luxurious, wonderful 5 day trip to Manhatten (stayed at a very expensive hotel also). So that’s that situation. They told M-A-W that their 15 yr old son with CP always wanted to do all these things. The husband, wife and child, along with 2 members of their local MAW foundation all went on the trip. The MAW members who went said they were escorts to take the family around from place to place in NYC. When I heard about this wonderful paid trip (I’m sure the total tab for all these people was pretty astronomical) I thought wow thats incredible, and I was very happy for them. But as I looked at what MAW does under normal circumstances, as seen on the AM news show today, they seem to take less fortunate, poorer, under priveleged children and families on their "dream trips". I just wondered if there was any charter with Make-A-Wish or not regarding financial situations – If an extremely wealthy multi-millionaire applies for a trip does he/she get the same treatment as a poor family with a handicapped child ? Its just a question. I am not going to say a word to my friends or M-A-W or anyone about this – not looking to rock any boats or start any problems at all. It is just something about the whole situation that didn’t sit quite "well" with me. I think anyone that reads this story can understand why the whole thing bothers me a bit. Especially when you contribute to a charity – it would be like me finding out that Habitat for Humanity was building a luxury waterfront home for Bill Gates – now that would bother me too. Thanks for any input you can give me – hopefully there are some Make-a-Wish ‘insider knowledge’ people out there that can comment on this.
Interesting answers – thanks – First person felt this might be an auditable abuse of the charitable system – Second person (who is apparently in the MAW organization) said that income (rich or poor) has NO bearing whatsoever – MAW sends rich children on trips just as much as poor children. Interesting 2 totally different responses. I would think the 2nd person (MAW member) would know for sure – so I’ll assume that even Bill Gates could have his handicapped child taken on an all-expense paid trip to anywhere in the world courtesy of the thousands of Americans donating to MAW foundation.
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