The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America is the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 78 chapters in the United States and its territories and 23 international affiliates spanning five continents. Through private donations and the efforts of more than 25,000 creative wish-granting volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted more than 97,000 wishes around the world since its inception in 1980. The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. The local chapter, which serves the entire state of Oregon and Clark County, Washington, was founded in 1983.

Since then, it has granted more than 1,200 wishes to local children.

In April of 1996 the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oregon joined the ITEX Marketplace and began accepting donations in ITEX dollars in addition to cash. In seven years, the ITEX Marketplace have contributed almost $40,000 to this organization. These ITEX dollars have allowed the organization to offset its cash expenses and do things it would not have otherwise been able to do.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon primarily uses these dollars to pay for its 24-hour-a-day answering service for the chapter office. "As part of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, we are required to have our phone answered 24-hours a day, seven days a week," says Kara Minkoff, Manager of Volunteer Services. "Because so many of our wishes involve travel, we want to make sure that families can always reach someone if they have a question or concern. We would have to pay for this service in cash if it weren't for the generous donations our organization receives as an ITEX member. Instead, ITEX Marketplace donations allow us to direct cash resources towards fulfilling a child's wish."

In addition to saving cash on overhead expenses, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon uses ITEX dollars to recognize its volunteers. "Getting flowers for a job well done lets our volunteers know they are appreciated," says Ms. Minkoff. "We would not be able to afford these type of extras if we had to pay for them with cash."

ITEX also helps this chapter raise funds. Like most non-profit organizations, the Foundation hosts a golf tournament and other events annually. It has used ITEX dollars to create signs and banners, and to purchase prizes, give-aways, and other miscellaneous expenses necessary for conducting a great event.

For companies, donating ITEX dollars is a great way to support a community charity. The donation is verifiable for tax purposes and easy to document on a regular ITEX statement. As an ITEX member, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon would like you to remind other members that it is a local 501(c)3 charity in need of donations.

You can make an impact in the life of a child.