On Friday, January 31, the Oneida Indian Nation made a donation to Make-A-Wish Central New York in the amount of $11,832.70. The donations were collected from guests at the Nation’s Maple Leaf Market and SavOn Convenience Stores over the past few months as part of Make-A-Wish Central New York’s Stars for Wishes campaign.
Staff from Make-A-Wish Central New York – including president and CEO Diane Kuppermann, director of corporate philanthropy Kate Veley, and public relations manager Dyana Smolen – attended a celebratory check presentation with a very special guest: Angelina, who got her wish of a wheelchair accessible playground for her backyard.
“It was the only campaign we had during the holidays so the timing of this couldn’t have been more perfect,” Diane Kuppermann said. “We cover 15 counties and I’d put our area up against anybody in the country as the most supportive, and giving, community.”
“We were thrilled to see how successful this campaign was,” Kate Veley said. “All the managers at Maple Leaf were super excited about it. They asked to be a part of it again.”
Oneida Indian Nation Foundation manager and Wolf Clan Councilmember Chuck Fougnier also met with the Make-A-Wish staff.
“It’s important to support our community and our young children,” he said at the presentation. “We know that Make-A-Wish will continue doing this important work granting wishes and making dreams come true.”
The Make-A-Wish Central New York team says they’re experiencing the most wishes in the organization’s 35 year history. The foundation looks forward to continuing its partnership with the Oneida Indian Nation to deliver more wishes for children in need.
Pictured, left to right: Kate Veley (with Angelina’s sister Rosalie); Stephan Sims; Diane Kuppermann; Morgen Verow; Laurie Reese; Chris Walters; Samantha Bayne; Tina Abbott; Marion Stokes; Zach Eddy; Phil White; Wolf Clan Councilmember Chuck Fougnier (holding check in front with Angelina)
