Checkoff Colorado – Check it out and grant a wish!
Five year old Chelbi has Ewing’s sarcoma and wishes to go to Disney World.
Article by Kathy Dunker and photo courtesy of Melissa Hawken Morris
This year, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado was chosen to be one of the fourteen nonprofit organizations in Checkoff Colorado. This innovative program enables Colorado taxpayers to make voluntary contributions to their favorite charitable organizations, typically from their tax refund, when they file their state income tax return.
In 1977, Colorado was the first state in the country to allow a taxpayer to “check-off” a voluntary contribution to a given nonprofit program. This is a very easy way to support Colorado charities during tax season. Based on the notion that “a rising tide lifts all boats,” the goals of Checkoff Colorado are simple – to get more taxpayers to contribute and to increase the total number of donations each year.
In 2003, the charitable organizations eligible for voluntary donations in Colorado decided to take the bold step of banding together because their voices would be louder if spoken in unison. Now, California and other states see Checkoff Colorado as a model.
Six year old Jesus has acute lymphoblastic leukemia and wishes to be a cowboy.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado is very excited to now be part of the Checkoff Colorado program. Make-A-Wish was founded in 1980 with the goal of granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions. The Colorado chapter was one of the first of the Make-A-Wish chapters. Since being founded in 1983, this chapter has granted more than 3,300 wishes to eligible Colorado children.
“Instead of climbing jungle gyms, building sand castles, or tossing around a ball, Colorado children with life-threatening medical conditions spend their time swallowing medicine, receiving shots and resting in hospital beds,” said Melissa Hawken Morris, director of communications for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado. “For these children, a wish experience eclipses illness to bring hope, strength and joy.
This tax season, Colorado taxpayers have the ability to share the power of a wish simply by making a contribution to the Make-A-Wish Foundation on their state tax returns.” The granted wishes Colorado children receive have included many things such as meeting the Denver Broncos football team, a room makeover, or even being a model for a day.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation strives to enrich the human experience for these children. To find out more about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit their website at www.wish.org or the Colorado chapter’s website at www.wishcolorado.org. For additional information regarding Checkoff Colorado, please visit their website at www.checkoffcolorado.org.
