Holy Spirit School Raises $1,000 for Make-A-Wish

During a morning assembly at Holy Spirit School in East Greenbush, faculty and staff presented Make-A-Wish Northeast New York with a check for $1,000, the total amount the school raised for the chapter’s Adopt-A-Wish Holiday Campaign.

The campaign, typically spread through ambassadors highlighted on paper stars for donations at area malls and businesses, has raised more than $228,000 for children battling critical illnesses, funding 19 out of the 100 wishes Make-A-Wish Northeast New York plans to grant this year.

Holy Spirit fourth-grader Miracle Carter was granted her wish to go to Walt Disney World last fall, gaining widespread media attention after the news was delivered by a message-carrying owl during a school assembly.

Cori Spain, a fourth-grade teacher, marketing committee co-chair and student council advisor at the school, became inspired to “pay it forward” and spearheaded the student-driven donation effort.

Spain says she initially found out about Make-A-Wish after a friend’s daughter was granted her wish to go to Disney World in 1999.

“This past October, I was once again reminded of the importance of Make-A-Wish when one of our own Holy Spirit School students, Miracle Carter, was granted her wish, which was also to go to Disney World,” Spain said. “The students took charge of this effort and did an awesome job.”

Spain adds that while talking to coworkers about the fundraiser, she discovered one of their custodian’s nieces was also granted a wish through Make-A-Wish.

“Make-A-Wish is truly making a positive difference to so many families who have been faced with extremely difficult challenges,” Spain said. “The students at Holy Spirit School have had the amazing opportunity to become enriched by helping to make some of those wishes come true.”