Behind The MagicPresented by:

Evan AvilaRobyn Garing

Kelsey GreupnerRandy RajkovichAdriana Zazula

The InspirationAll his life, Christopher James Greicius dreamed

of becoming a police officer

April 29, 1980

The Founders

Inspired by the happiness, joy, laughter the wish brought Chris and

his family they founded the Chris Greicius Make-A-Wish ® Memorial.

The Beginning

• The first donation– $15 from grocery store manager

• November 1980 • Designated as tax-exempt

• March 1981• Raised $2,000 enough money to grant another wish

• The “First Wish Kid” • Frank “Bopsy” Salazar • Firefighter• Hot air balloon ride• Trip to Disneyland

Purpose

• Enriching children’s lives through hope, strength and joy.

• Leading children’s non-profit charity

Wish requirements

• Children who are at least 2 ½ years old and under the age of 18 are eligible to have their true wish granted.1. Referral2. Medical Eligibility3. Finding the true wish4. Creating Joy

Impact of a Wish

• Health status• State of mind• Positive community• Stronger• More energetic• More willing to get

through their medical battle

Cultural Climate-1980s-Detrimental illnesses were in the spotlight (i.e. AIDS)

Scene

• Arizona– Small community– Conservative

• Creating a worldwide community– 50 countries in 5 continents

Founders and Sponsors

• Three founders– Scott Stahl– Frank Shankwitz– Linda Bergendahl-

Pauling

• Board members• Volunteers

• Medical community especially those who work with children

• Parents with terminally ill children• Community members who may or may not know a child with illness• Potential corporate sponsors

Ethos and Pathos

• Ethos–Wish granters

• Sponsors and celebrities

– Innocence of Children

• Pathos– Reality of terminally-ill children to create

a commonality with the audience• Website• YouTube channel

Message Dissemenation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3omFZB3pzlE

•PSA

•Media Coverage

•Sponsors/ Endorsements

Elaboration Likelihood Model (ELM)

Peripheral Route• Persuasive message

– Telecast of granted wish– Partnerships/Co-sponsors– Word of mouth

• No immediate response to persuasive message– Nominate a child– Volunteer

Central Route• Persuasive message

– Public Service Announcement– Media coverage– Celebrity endorsement – website

• Immediate response– Active participation– Donation

Methods of Message

1. Making the impossible possible

• Extravagance• Success in a life cut short• The connotation of the phrase “make a wis

h”

2. Growth of sponsorship• Disney

3. Community involvement• Increasing the number of wishes granted• Donating to the cause

4. World wide reputation• Due in part to sponsorship and revenue

5. The benefits of magic• Increased awareness for sponsors• Satisfaction of granting wishes

Five Stages:Five Stages:

1)1)IdentificationIdentification

2)2)LegitimacyLegitimacy

3)3)ParticipationParticipation

4)4)PenetrationPenetration

5)5)DistributionDistribution

Propaganda

• Emotional appeal – Helping out sick children

• Endorsements –Media coverage

• Able to silence opposing views – Animal rights activists

Analysis

• 30 years of existence• Globalized organization

• More than 200,000 wishes granted• Over 25,000 volunteers• Received over $50 million of

contributions in 2009