Make-A-Wish was founded in 1980 by a group of people in Phoenix, Arizona, inspired by a young boy named Chris Greicius. Chris's mother, Linda Pauling, is part of this founding group and part of our B1G 10 family from Illinois. Several years ago, she approached the B1G Ten Golf Classic and asked us to select Make-A-Wish as the charity for our event.

Here's how Make-A-Wish began:

• Chris Greicius's Story: Chris was a 7-year-old boy battling leukemia. His dream was to become a police officer, a wish that was made possible through the efforts of several individuals, including an Arizona Department of Public Safety motorcycle officer named Frank Shankwitz, who was involved with a fledgling organization called the Original Wish Foundation.
• The Wish: Chris's wish was to be a police officer for a day. On May 1, 1980, with the help of the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Chris was made the first and only honorary DPS patrolman in state history. He was given a uniform, a badge, and got to ride in a police helicopter. Sadly, Chris passed away just days after his wish was granted, on May 3, 1980.
• Formation of Make-A-Wish: Inspired by Chris's story and the impact his wish had on him, his family, and all those involved, Frank Shankwitz, along with others including Chris's mother Linda Pauling, decided to form an organization to help fulfill similar wishes for other children with critical illnesses. They officially founded the Make-A-Wish Foundation in April 1980.
• Growth: Initially, the foundation was local but soon expanded. By 1983, Make-A-Wish had grown into a national organization, and it has since become international, with chapters in nearly 50 countries around the world.
• Mission: Make-A-Wish's mission is to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. These wishes can range from traveling, meeting celebrities, to having unique experiences tailored to the child's dreams.

The story of Chris Greicius and the subsequent founding of Make-A-Wish has touched millions of lives, showing the power of hope, joy, and the impact of a single act of kindness. Today, Make-A-Wish continues to grant thousands of wishes each year, aiming to provide strength, family bonding, and joy in the face of serious illness.