TUSTIN, Calif., June 6, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Make-A-Wish Foundation(r) of Orange County and the Inland Empire, the recently merged 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties today announced the expansion of its development staff with addition of three new positions to support the recently redefined chapter territory focusing heavily on the Inland Empire. The newly added staff members include: Director of Development, Donna Mogilski; Development Manager of Inland Empire Activities, Margie Saldibar; and Development Manager of Orange County Activities, Kim Farthing.
The development team's primary initiative for Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire will be to embrace relationships within the recently redefined chapter territory, particularly the Inland Empire. In addition to supporting local and national partnerships, including the activities related to this year's joint celebration of Make-A-Wish Foundation(r) of America's 25th and Disneyland Resort's 50th anniversaries, the team will build upon the chapter's successful Wishmaker and Luminary Wish Awards signature events.
"We are delighted to add the talents of Donna, Kim and Margie to our amazing core group of staff members," shared Mark Pilon, chapter President and CEO. "The philanthropic experience they each bring helps us take another step towards achieving our chapter vision to reach every eligible child with the opportunity of a wish."
Mogilski, who formerly served as Director of Corporate Giving for the AIDS Services Foundation (ASF) and head of Community Relations for Canyon Acres Children's Services, is an event fundraising expert who has taught courses at the Volunteer Center of Orange County, has helped raise over $750,000 for AIDS Walk Orange County, and has directed Route 66 Rendezvous -- a 4-day street festival that had a $20 million impact in the city of San Bernardino. Mogilski's history with the Make-A-Wish Foundation goes back more than 10 years ago when the Foundation granted the heartfelt wish of her niece Heather to go to Disneyland with her family.
Saldibar most recently served at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as campaign manager for the Light the Night Walk, and the School and Youth Campaigns. Actively involved in the Inland Empire City Chambers of Commerce as a welcomed guest speaker, Saldibar previously spent fifteen years representing high technology companies in California, Oregon and Georgia, and five years in Washington D.C. representing companies serving the federal government and private sectors.
Farthing, who formerly served as the Director of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Light the Night Walk, has dedicated her life to philanthropy and to impacting the lives of children and donors. She currently serves on the Advisory Board at The Wilson Learning Center's After School Tutoring Program, and holds professional memberships with both The Association of Fundraising Professionals and Meeting Professionals International. Farthing's experience also includes raising over a million dollars for public education as Development Director for the Newport-Mesa Schools Foundation, and as a Board member for the Orange County Coalition of Public Schools Foundation.
About Make-A-Wish Foundation(r) of Orange County and the Inland Empire
Make-A-Wish Foundation(r) grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy. Born in 1980 when a group of caring individuals helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 74 chapters in the U.S. and its territories and 28 international affiliates on five continents. In 2005, the national organization celebrates "25 Years Making Dreams Come True."
Locally, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and the Inland Empire, has granted over 2,500 wonderful wishes to children in Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. To refer a child, or to learn how you can help, visit the organization's Web site at: www.wishocie.org. Phone: (714) 573-WISH (9474). E-mail: orangeco@wishocie.org.