Community Corner

'Wrap' Star Grants Wishes for Sick Kids

Malvernite John Friia and his 'elves' grant wishes for sick kids by wrapping other people's holiday gifts.

The holiday season is hectic for everyone, but for the past three years Malvernite John Friia has taken on more than just his own to-do list. On Sunday, the 20-year-old Baruch College student devoted his time, as he has done every December since 2009, to wrapping other people’s gifts and granting wishes for sick children he has never met.

Friia, along with his group of volunteers and one adorable elf (his nephew), spent five hours stationed in the basement of Village Hall on Dec. 11, surrounded by reams of wrapping paper and boxes of gift tags and bows. Throughout the day, residents would drop of the gifts they bought for their family and friends, and Friia’s team would take care of all the trimmings. All they asked for in return was a buck for each box they wrapped, money that is then donated to the Make a Wish Foundation of Metro New York and Western New York, a charity that Friia has been working with since he was in the eighth grade.

In addition to the wrapping, Friia also gives potential donors another incentive to open their wallets. Coordinating with companies and organizations, big and small, each year he gathers an impressive collection of prizes to raffle off. He’s managed to secure show tickets, overnight stays at historic castles and posh New York City hotels, autographed sports and entertainment memorabilia, popular electronics, toys and even gift certificates to local merchants to giveaway.

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“In total we have raised about $5,000,” Friia says, which has enabled the charity to grant wishes of children suffering with life-threatening medical conditions. Not to mention, he and his helpers have wrapped approximately 400 gifts, no doubt alleviating some holiday stress for those who have taken him up on his offer.

So how does he do all this on top of juggling work, school, family, and shopping and wrapping his own presents? “I start organizing the fundraiser in the summer before I start school,” Friia told Patch. “I get a majority of the donations during that time.”

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This allows Friia to focus on his studies during the fall semester, but even then, when he does have some time to spare, like while commuting to school, Make A Wish is on his mind.

“Since I go to school in the city, when I am on the train I am constantly thinking about what to do for the fundraiser to make it better than last year,” he says. “I guess I can say I’m good at multi-tasking.”

Kathie Lombardi, coordinator of National and Community Alliances for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York and Western New York, told Patch that the organization is grateful for the fundraising efforts of Friia and his family.

"Ever since he worked as a high school intern at our offices, John has supported our cause either as office volunteer or as a young fundraiser," she said. "His generous spirit and enthusiasm to help grant wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions are remarkable. Especially in this season of sharing and caring we appreciate and depend on the support of volunteers and donors in the community.” 

To learn more about the Make a Wish Foundation and how you can help the charity visit www.metrony.wish.org.


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