named programs · 8 · from sources
What they call their work
Annual Spring Fundraiser (formerly Red WISH & Blue, now Summer Soiree)
Evening fundraiser with dancing, prizes, and a $5,000 raffle; proceeds support community assistance programs
Catch a Cure Run/Walk
Annual 5K event in September that raises funds for neighbors dealing with cancer; honors survivors and memorializes those lost
Ladies Who Brunch
Annual fall luncheon honoring three local women for community service; includes raffles and speeches
Mother’s Day Flowers
Annual event delivering flowers to mothers of sick children, military personnel, or those facing personal hardships
Surgery Support Bags
New initiative providing personalized care bags to women recovering from surgery, including comfort and functional items
Treats with Santa
Free December event for children featuring treats, crafts, face painting, and photos with Santa; first hour reserved for children with sensory issues
WISH Community Service Scholarship
Annual $1,000 scholarship awarded to an 8th grader in a member’s family based on an essay and letter of recommendation
WISHing
Annual event in February or March where members nominate community members for recognition; volunteers deliver small gifts or gift cards
activities · 14 groups
What they do
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Local High School Scholarship Programs 1 activity
- Awards annual scholarship to children of membersProvides a $1,000 annual community service scholarship to 8th graders with WISH-member mothers; $23,000 awarded since 2015.
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Diaper and Baby Supply Distribution 1 activity
- Distributes school supplies and baby items to families in needCollects and distributes essential school supplies and baby items to support under-resourced families in the community.
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Therapeutic Comfort Kits and Room Makeovers 1 activity
- Distributes support bags to women recovering from surgeryProvides comfort and care bags to women undergoing surgical recovery to support their healing process.
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Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 1 activity
- Grants Christmas wishes for community membersOrganizes a Christmas wish-granting program to bring joy to community members during the holiday season.
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Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Honors local women and community contributorsRecognizes women of distinction and community members making exceptional efforts to help neighbors through special events and awards.
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Charity Event Organization 1 activity
- Hosts annual Fall 5K to support cancer-related causesOrganizes the annual Catch a Cure 5K run/walk each September to honor cancer survivors and those lost to the disease, having raised over $60,000 since 2017.
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Community Event Fundraising 1 activity
- Hosts annual fundraising eventsOrganizes recurring fundraisers including the Summer Soiree (formerly Red, WISH, and Blue), Ladies Who Brunch, and other events that raise unrestricted funds for community support.
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Benefit Events for Arts and Culture 1 activity
- Organizes annual concert and music events for children in needProduces the annual WISH Rocks concert to benefit children in the neighborhood affected by illness.
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Community Festival & Event Production 1 activity
- Organizes annual events for children and familiesHosts recurring community events including Treats with Santa, where children make crafts and take photos with Santa, and previously hosted a Santa Parade in 2020.
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Donated Attire Distribution 1 activity
- Organizes dress drive for prom and communion dressesCollects and distributes prom and communion dresses to underprivileged girls in the community.
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Direct Financial Assistance to Individuals 1 activity
- Provides financial assistance to individuals and families in needOffers direct financial aid to local residents facing hardship due to illness or difficult circumstances, supporting community members with immediate needs.
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Girls' Mentorship and Leadership Development 1 activity
- Runs Shining Stars program for girlsOperates a weekend program for girls aged 8–12 called Shining Stars to foster self-confidence and promote healthy habits.
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Youth Sports Access and Equipment Support 1 activity
- Sponsors community sports leaguesSupports youth and community engagement by sponsoring sports leagues in the Rockaway area.
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Uncategorized 2 activities
- Delivers flowers to mothers on Mother's DaySurprises mothers of active-duty military personnel, grieving mothers, and women battling illness with flower deliveries each Mother's Day, a tradition ongoing since 2013.
- Recognizes and gifts community members for selfless actsSurprises and delivers gifts to community members nominated for selfless acts of service, such as delivering over 40 gifts in March.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2025
revenue
Total revenue$69K
Contributions & grants$12K17%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$2K3%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$68K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$52K
balance sheet
Total assets$128K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$128K
5 years on record · 2021–2025 · YoY revenue +20.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2025
Who runs it
board members · 10
- Colleen Brady — Director
- Genevieve Shaw — Director
- Jennifer Tubridy — Director
- Kelli Tirado — Director
- Kelly Bruggess — Director
- Lynn Duffy — Director
- Marianne Hanning — Director
- Meagan Anderson — Director
- Sarah Kenny — Director of Finance
- Tara Duffy — Director
relationships · 6
Who they work with
- 116th FDNY Partner — Participated in the 2020 Santa Car Parade with a fire truck.
- Belle Harbor Yacht Club Partner — Current venue host for the Treats With Santa event.
- Katie Partner — Point of contact for coordinating delivery of support bags to women recovering from surgery.
- R.I.B.S. Partner — Rockaway Irish Boys, a local group that influenced the founding of WISH after losing members on 9/11.
- St. Francis De Sales Parish Partner — Hosted the early years of the Treats With Santa event.
- The Graybeards Partner — Local civic organization that inspired and supported the formation of WISH.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Driven Giving Circlemethodology: community_driven_giving_circleBy creating a circle of women who either give or have received support, the organization sustains engagement and expands impact because lived experience and mutual investment foster long-term participation and trust.
- Inclusive Programming for Sensory Needsmethodology: inclusive_programming_for_sensory_needsBy reserving dedicated time for children with sensory issues at community events, the organization ensures full inclusion because tailored access reduces barriers and increases participation for neurodiverse families.
- Volunteer-Driven Community Supportmethodology: volunteer_driven_community_supportBy mobilizing local volunteers to identify and respond to community needs, the organization increases responsiveness and relevance of services because local knowledge ensures appropriate and timely interventions.