The H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation has granted $30,000 to a local chapter of Make-A-Wish, aimed at fulfilling the wishes of children in the Coachella Valley. The donation was made possible through the foundation’s newly introduced Impact Grant program, implemented in collaboration with News Channel 3.
A joint press release by the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation and Gulf California Broadcast Company, which owns News Channel 3, outlined that both entities will collaborate to identify deserving non-profit organizations for grant awards. Furthermore, the program will offer media coverage for grant recipients on News Channel 3 platforms.
Catharine Reed, Vice President of Charitable Programs for the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, stated in the press release: “This new grant program will honor nonprofit organizations when we see them doing extraordinary work and also respond to needs in our community as they arise.” She added: “With funding and media exposure, we believe we can help nonprofits make an impact—just as the name of the grant implies.”
The press release also highlighted that the $30,000 award to Make-A-Wish would support 25 critically ill children from Coachella Valley who are awaiting their wishes—from play equipment to out-of-state trips—to be fulfilled. The local Make-A-Wish chapter that received this award has granted over 8,000 wishes since its inception in 1983.
Melissa Gallagher, Vice President of Mission Delivery for the OC/IE Make-A-Wish Chapter, said in the press release: “Wishes have the power to create better health outcomes and better odds of beating an illness.” Gallagher expressed her delight about receiving this gift: “We were surprised and absolutely ecstatic about receiving this gift to help many children in the Coachella Valley.”
