January 1982
John Paul Serna, 12, makes the first Super Bowl wish and attends Super Bowl VXI in Pontiac, Mich. His wish receives national attention.
March 16, 1982
Board meeting held: Board member Bill Drury presides; Therese Dotson, Dolli Peralta, Linda Dozoretz, Vicky Foster added to board.
August 12, 1982
Board meeting to elect officers held:
President: Tommy Austin
Secretary: Grace LaScala
Treasurer: Dolli Peralta
October 24, 1982
A letter of request to cease using the Make-A-Wish name is sent to all unaffiliated groups.
January 26, 1983
Board decides to form committees to structure workload more consistently.
March 24, 1983
Attorney Gil Rudolph speaks to board about formation of national Make-A-Wish organization, saying eight affiliates have been signed and six more are pending; he suggests a structure for national organization with national board.
May 13, 1983
Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America is incorporated to oversee the numerous Make-A-Wish chapters beginning to surface across the country.
May 25, 1983
Board meeting follows the formation of Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, and a national board is selected: Phil Bystrom, Bill Drury, Linda Dozoritz, Jose Montilla and Dolli Peralta; alternates are Linda Kaplan and Tommy Austin.
November 29, 1983
Board meeting to determine division of funds between local and national boards.
December 1983
President Ronald Reagan grants the first presidential wish and lets Amy, a wish kid from Arizona, light the National Christmas Tree at the White House ceremony.
January 25, 1984
Dolli Peralta becomes executive director of Arizona chapter board.
April 1984
News article about Make-A-Wish reports that 82 wishes have been granted since 1980.
June 21, 1984
Tommy Austin resigns from board and is made Honorary Life Member of the Arizona Make-A-Wish chapter.
December 1984
Twenty-two official Make-A-Wish chapters are established during the year, bringing the total number of chapters to 28.
Nine-West Shoe Company becomes the first national corporate sponsor for Make-A-Wish and holds fundraising events in eight cities, specifically four-mile runs for women, with all proceeds going to wish granting.
January 3, 1985
Board meeting with election of new officers:
President: Linda Kaplan
Executive vice-president: Geoffrey Bruce
Administrative vice-president: Kathy McMorris
Secretary: Carol Francis
Treasurer: William Keenan
February 7, 1985
Phoenix Mayor Terry Goddard proclaims March 1985 Make-A-Wish Month.
December 1985
A short video about a wish experience, "Stephanie in the Snow," wins numerous national awards and generates more interest in wish granting. By year's end, there are 34 Make-A-Wish chapters around the world.
Jan. 1, 1986
Make-A-Wish participates in the Tournament of Roses Parade for the first time.
1986
United Airlines becomes the first airline to establish a national program to donate free tickets to wish kids. Make-A-Wish New Zealand in officially established. With 50 chapters around the world, a total of 1,201 wishes have been granted.
1987
A total of 1,487 wishes are granted during the year by 57 official Make-A-Wish chapters.
1988
A total of 2,239 wishes are granted during the year, and Reader's Digest published the story, "They Bring Joy to Sick Kids," which generates international impact and response.
1989
Eight NFL teams grant wishes, and three Super Bowl wishes are granted.
A total of 2,796 wishes are granted by 62 Make-A-Wish chapters.
1990
Make-A-Wish celebrates its 10th anniversary and grants its 10,000th wish. A total of 3,487 wishes are granted during the year, and the organization receives the President's Citation for Voluntary Action Award.