Local Chi Omega Sorority Plans on Fundraising Over $60,000 for

Make-A-Wish Foundation
By: Anna Kauffman

“A wish come true helps children feel stronger, more energetic, more willing and able to battle

their critical illnesses. For many, the wish marks a turning point in the fight against their

illnesses. That is why wishes matter. That is why we grant wishes (Make-A-Wish Foundation).” 

Every year, members of the Chi Omega sorority dedicate a substantial amount of time to

the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Chi Omega’s alliance with Make-A-Wish started in 2002 after a

couple years of research to find the perfect organization. After declaring it the national

philanthropy, Chi Omegas everywhere have been dedicated to raising money for children with

life-threatening illnesses. 

The Make-A-Wish Foundation was formally established in November of 1980 when it

was declared a nonprofit organization. Chris Greicius, a young boy who was diagnosed with

leukemia, was the motivating factor that sparked the idea of creating the foundation. Retired U.S.

Customs agent and Make-A-Wish co-founder, Tommy Austin, felt a personal connection to

Chris when he learned of his situation. The seven-year-old boy’s dream was to be a police officer

and “to catch bad guys” just like Austin. Following Chris’s death, Austin said, “He was only

seven years old, when he died. But he taught me about being a man. Even though he was only a

boy. I can tell you that because of meeting Chris, I am an entirely different man.” 

Officers Frank Shankwitz and Scott Stahl flew back to Illinois to attend Chris’s funeral.

He was given the official ceremony of a fallen officer. Word of the story spread quickly, and the

pair were amazed at the number of strangers interested. On the flight home, they discussed the

possibility of “making this the beginning of something wonderful for children.” 

 By the next spring, the group was able to raise enough money to grant one wish. The

issue they now faced was selecting the perfect wish kid to be the recipient. The first wish kid,

Frank "Bopsy" Salazar, was a 7-year-old boy with leukemia as well. Bopsy had three wishes: to

be a fireman, to go to Disneyland, and to ride in a hot air balloon. The president of the

foundation, Frank Shankwitz, decided to grant all three wishes. Upon returning home from his

trip from Disneyland, Bopsy was readmitted to the hospital. Bopsy died that same night.

In total, Chi Omega has raised over 20 million dollars for the philanthropy and have

donated over 1 million hours to the cause. After last year’s event, they were able to grant the

wishes of at least eight local children. In addition to this, the Illinois State University Rho Kappa

chapter was honored and ranked ninth out of 25 chapters nationally for total money donated to

the foundation. 

“Make-A-Wish granted 15,600 wishes last year alone – on average, one every 34

minutes. But for every wish granted, another child is diagnosed with a potentially qualifying

condition. A child who needs a wish (Make-A-Wish Foundation).”

This year Illinois State University’s Chi Omega is hosting their 43rd annual March

Madness dance competition. In this philanthropic event, the greek life community on campus

will compete in a dance competition. Dances are unique to each individual chapter and are

created based off the specific theme selected. The first, second and third place teams for both

sororities and fraternities receive a monetary donation to dedicate to their own philanthropies.

Alpha Delta Pi member, Arianne Floody, shared, “It’s a fun event where all Greek life

comes together to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation. You get to watch so many different

dances, and we have a good time while giving back.”

 In previous years, the event has been held in the Braden Auditorium of the Bone Student

Center. However, after selling out multiple years in a row, the production has been relocated to

the Redbird Arena to accommodate the crowd. This venue allows for greater ticket sales, which

in turn allows for greater profits to be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

March Madness will be held on Saturday, April 4 at 7 p.m. In order to surpass last year’s

total of $56,000, ticket sales will be available to the public up until the opening curtain. There is

also a live donation page for those who are not able to be in attendance or simply for those who

desire to donate to the cause. 

Floody said, “ My favorite part [of March Madness] is when Chi Omega brings a child

who has received a ‘wish’ from Make-A-Wish and their family onstage, and they get to talk

about what their wish was. It reminds me what March Madness is really all about.”