Howdy! Ol' Santa here...
...I must confess up front. I offered my services to a local Shopping Center in 2000 as a Santa. I suggested they donate the proceeds to a Children's Charity to build their image and create a sense of community. That was i5 years ago and I'm still involved.
Since then, I've served on the Board; as its President and as a volunteer. In the beginning, the financial situation was dyer to say the least. But with the hiring of a dynamic new Executive Director who knew where the money was and how to go about getting to get those folks involved with the organization, it is thriving today.
I've seen it go from serving only 5 Children with a wish in my first year to serving more than a wish child a week today. I will also say that decisions are always made while keeping the 75% / 25% up front of mind.
When folks ask Ol' Santa about "a Wish with Wings"; I like to simply compare it to "that large Wish organization" by saying, "a Wish with wings is a member of the Association of Wish Granting Organizations whose bi-laws require that 75% of the funding donated be used for funding individual wishes, while the other charity simply can't qualify.
Ol' Santa
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Children & Youth, Children & Youth Services, Human Service Organizations, Human Services
Mission: The Association of Wish Granting Organizations was formed in 1995. Its members make wishes and dreams come true for children and adults throughout the United States, Canada and Europe who are battling life-threatening and terminal illnesses. Members abide by strict codes of ethics and the highest level of financial accountability. The members of the organziation do not raise funds through telemarketing; in order to qualify as a member of AWGO, at least 75% of dollars raised must go directly to program expenses. Donations to this organization will be distributed evenly among member organizations to make dreams and wishes come true for sick children and adults.
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This organization's nonprofit status may have been revoked or it may have merged with another organization or ceased operations.