The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles is honored to count Jacqueline M. Glass as one of our distinguished donors. Born in New York City, Jacky moved to Southern California as a young girl and later settled in Palos Verdes Estates with her late husband, Jerry. The Glass Family Foundation has generously supported our chapter for over 20 years and has helped grant the wishes of numerous children living in the Greater Los Angeles area. Besides the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Jacky and her family support dozens of charities and community organizations both locally and throughout the country. A mother of five, a grandmother of nine, Jacky's entire family is proud of her charitable endeavors that have become a footprint for all to emulate.
What first led you to be involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation?
Jerry and I were fortunate to be blessed with a beautiful family of our own and we felt it was important to help improve the lives of as many children as we could. We saw a piece in the news about the Make-A-Wish Foundation and were drawn to its heartfelt mission immediately. We were truly touched by the direct impact a wish has on a child and his or her entire family. We soon realized that the experience of a wish was immeasurable - it was truly a cherished memory that would be engrained with the family forever. That was more than 20 years ago and our family
has been supportive ever since.
How has being a Make-A-Wish donor touched you personally?
I have been fortunate to meet a lot of the children over the years and see "first hand" the positive impact the wish has for them and their family. It brings hope and joy to their lives after they have endured so much. Since I have been involved, thank goodness many medical conditions are now curable. However, the kids are constantly in the hospital, experiencing pain, and much of the time, they are isolated from their friends. This is sometimes the hardest part for them. Then, to see a smile on their face when their wish is actually granted is priceless. What a wish does is bring the fun back, not only to the child, but to a family that has endured so much.
Is there one wish moment that touched you deeply?
I was at a World Wish Day® event where Miley Cyrus granted the wishes of several children in one day. As she performed, I watched the young kids with huge smiles on their faces, singing each and every word with her. I'll never forget seeing one little girl crying for joy as she had her magical wish granted. As a mother and grandmother, it's a very powerful and heartwarming feeling to see the emotion of a wish parent who gets to watch their child experience true happiness for the first time in so long.
Why is donating this summer particularly important to you?
When I heard that the Los Angeles chapter had over 100 wishes to grant this summer, I knew it was critical to do my part to make these wishes come true. School is out and most kids are playing, going off to camp, going on family vacations - creating treasured memories for a lifetime. We want all kids to have that carefree experience of "play" during the summer. Truly, it's the perfect time to have a child's wish fulfilled.
Please join Jacky and make summer wishes come true for very deserving children. Contact Michelle Becker at 310.788.9474, ext. 108, or to make a gift today!
