UTICA, N.Y. – Make-A-Wish Central New York kicked off a month-long fundraising campaign on Wednesday, with the goal of raising $50,000 to support the wishes of nearly 200 local children.

The campaign, called Wish Heroes, will run throughout the month of April, culminating with World Wish Day on April 29.

A local family donated $1,500 to the campaign Wednesday, after experiencing the generosity of the organization last year. Monica Tebo, of Clinton, says her son Dominic was granted his wish to go to Walt Disney World in 2020.

Diane Kupperman, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish CNY, says kids experience positive effects from being granted a wish through the organization.

“There are even now some studies that are being done on the physiological changes that happen to kids when they have or are awaiting wishes, and if you believe in the power of hope and the power of a positive attitude, you can understand the impact that that can have on the whole biological system,” she said.

For more information on how to donate to the campaign, click here.