|
A message from
Dave Butler
Editor
San Jose Mercury News
&
Holly Hayes
Wish Book coordinator
San Jose Mercury News
 Wish
Book Home
How to fulfill a wish:
Each Wish Book story includes links to donate, so that you can earmark your donations
through our secure server.
Donate
to the Wish Book Fund.
Print
out this form to send your donation by mail.
Questions?
Contact us at wishbook@
mercurynews.com
Email this Wish Book story to a friend
About
Wish Book
Staff credits
|
|
dear reader,
Welcome to the Mercury News' Wish Book.
This year, the 27th year of our program, we'll introduce you to 25 of our friends and neighbors
— individuals, families and organizations who are struggling this season, each with a wish you can make come true.
Since 1983, readers have been learning about their neighbors' needs through this annual
fund drive. Over the years, more than $6 million has been donated to provide warm jackets, hot meals, enriching books, computer equipment, job training and other tangible items. Readers also have delivered on that more intangible gift: hope.
During last year's campaign — even in a brutal economic climate — readers sent in nearly $500,000. Every penny was used to help our community. Funds are not used for promotion or administrative costs. This year, we asked more than 550 social-service agencies throughout our area to tell us not only their needs but also those of the people they serve. From that information, we selected 25 stories and sent our staff to document them.
Contributions of any size are welcome and are tax-deductible. The Wish Book's tax ID number is 77-0229665.
Secure donations may be made on this site, or if you prefer, download the donation coupon and mail it in with your check or credit card information to the Mercury News, c/o
Wish Book Fund, 750 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, CA 95190 .
If more money comes in than is needed to grant a specific wish, we'll use the extra funds to pay for other featured wishes. Any money left over will be used to provide underprivileged youngsters the chance to attend camp. Over the years, your contributions have provided thousands of kids with such life-changing experiences.
Mercury News readers have given the gift of hope to thousands of people who needed a hand. We trust this year's stories will inspire you to give generously again.
Thank you, and happy holidays.
Dave Butler,
Editor
Holly Hayes,
Wish Book coordinator
Questions about Wish Book stories? Call coordinator Holly Hayes at (408) 920-5374 or email wishbook@mercurynews.com
Staff
credits
Editor Holly Hayes
Reporters
Elliott Almond,
Mike Cassidy,
Lisa Fernandez,
Patty Fisher,
Mike Frankel,
Linda Goldston,
Sandra Gonzales,
Holly Hayes,
C.J. Hirai,
Michele Jurich,
Patrick May,
Sue McAllister,
Charlie McCollum,
Bruce Newman,
Mark Purdy,
Melinda Sacks,
Richard Scheinin,
Tracy Seipel,
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mike Swift
Photographer
Pauline Lubens
Photo editor
Jami C. Smith
Online design Nadya Harvey
The Mercury News editorial staff has researched
each case in this catalog, and we believe all of these requests
to be bona fide cases of need. We have verified that the facts presented
here are accurate. However, the Mercury News makes no claim, implied
or otherwise, concerning the validity of the requests beyond the
statement of these facts.
Donations to the
Wish Book Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, are tax deductible.
The
tax ID number is 77-0229665.
|
wish book stories