Make-A-Wish Foundation’s ‘Ms. Orange Fan’ Fundraiser to Be Held Virtually This Year

Twenty-nine years ago, Jim Boeheim, the head coach of Syracuse University’s Men’s Basketball team approached the Make-A-Wish Foundation with an idea that he thought would be a great way to bring his team and its fans together to help Central New York kids living with life-threatening medical conditions.

Coach Boeheim's fundraising idea was so wildly popular that since 1991 it has raised nearly two million dollars for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York. Not only that, but the event lives on twenty-nine years later, even in the midst of a pandemic.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central New York has announced that the 29th annual Ms. Orange Fan Fundraiser will transition from an in-person event to a virtual event this year.

Planned for Saturday, December 5 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., the Ms. Orange Fan fundraiser, an event usually only open to women, will be open to men as well and will feature an hour-long virtual fundraiser where participants will have the opportunity to win an exclusive 30-minute video meeting with their favorite player and coaches.

Participants of the Ms. Orange Fan fundraiser will also be able to purchase special event merchandise, raffle tickets, and bid on a variety of items such as silent auction items, baskets, and a wine pull.

Registration for the Ms. Orange Fan fundraiser is required but is free. However, anyone who registers as a sponsor and pledges $75 or more will be given the chance to bid on events and buy merchandise before the actual date of the event. You can learn more about the Ms. Orange Fan Fundraiser and register on this event page, created and hosted by Make-A-Wish Central New York.

Make-A-Wish Central New York is a not-for-profit organization committed to granting wishes for very special children who are between the ages of 2.5 and 18 who live with a life-threatening medical condition. Make-A-Wish Central New York grants wishes in 15 counties, including Broome, Chenango, Cortland, Tioga, and Thompkins counties.