A Year of Dreams
2023 Annual Report
Take an in-depth look at how The Fairy Godmother
Foundation of New York, Inc.™ has been
Making Dreams Come True™!
Our Vision
To improve the quality of life of children and young adults with complex medical, physical, developmental and mental health needs, giving joy and happiness.
Our Mission
To grant manageable, meaningful dreams and experiences to enhance the quality of life of children and young adults living with complex medical, mental health, physical or developmental needs.
Our Values
Hope - Joy - Equity – Diversity – Possibility - Happiness
Introduction
Making dreams come true™ is why we do what we do! The Fairy Godmother Foundation of New York, inc.™ has been working since 2017 to grant meaningful and manageable dreams to children and young adults with complex medical, mental health, physical and developmental needs. Dreams are requested directly by applicants and are customized and fulfilled by The Fairy Godmother Foundation Dream Committee. The primary focus areas of the Foundation are the immediate areas surrounding New York City, including associated regions of NY, NJ, CT, PA, and MA as applicable.
Dream Program
Where do dreams come from?
Dream referrals are primarily for individuals residing in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, with the majority coming from the New York City – Long Island – Westchester County areas. Referrals primarily come from child life specialists, social workers and nurses working in every children’s hospital in the New York – New Jersey metropolitan area, in addition to teachers, health professionals, other foundations, and direct referrals from the community.
How does it work?
Once a dream application is received, the “Dream Team” Committee reviews it as soon as possible, often within 72 hours. Recipients or their parents / guardians are notified immediately and plans are made to make the dream happen. Some dreams are urgent, especially for those recipients nearing the end of life. For one dream, a teen with cancer asked for a themed birthday party in her ICU room, and it was all able to come together in less than 6 days. Another teen on hospice care asked for a weekend trip to the beach with his family, which was arranged just weeks before his death.
What kind of dreams are granted?
All dreams are customized to meet the individual requests of the child or young adult. Examples of dreams include furniture, clothing, shopping sprees, family getaways, parties and celebrations, theater tickets, concert experiences, and zoo and aquarium memberships. Many dreams also include siblings, parents, and other family members. Electronics such as smart phones, iPads, and laptops are frequently requested, especially by teens who spend much of their lives in hospitals for the treatment of life-threatening illnesses, providing a way to keep up with family, friends and schoolwork.
Many dreams are celebrations – celebrating the end of many rounds of rigorous chemotherapy or simply a break in treatment schedules; getting off of dialysis because of a successful transplant; learning to swim after becoming blind following radiation treatment for a brain tumor. Some dreams are special experiences about which the applicant has always dreamed: – a visit to an amusement park, becoming a “Princess-for-a-day,” visiting the American Girl Doll Store, or being a train engineer for a day.
Dream Vision Program
Several years ago, a teacher asked the Foundation to help provide eye exams and glasses to students with vision concerns who do not have insurance or the resources to pay for them. The Dream Vision Program, which emerged out of this initial request, gives certificates for eye exams and glasses to students. Referrals are largely sent by school teachers, guidance counselors, and social workers who notice that their students cannot see in class. The gift of vision can make a huge difference in a child or teen’s life!
Linda's Story
The Fairy Godmother Foundation of New York, Inc.™ was created in 2017 to honor the legacy of an extraordinary young woman Linda Shohatee (1997 – 2016). Linda spent more than half of her life in hospitals. Despite the obstacles she faced, her story is one of strength and tenacity. Linda saw herself as a “survivor,” and was relentless in her determination to live life to its fullest. Her birthday celebrations were large themed events, her favorite being a spectacular “Sweet 15 Birthday” at Terrace on the Park. Although Linda’s life was full of challenges and far too brief, because of “Fairy Godmothers and Godfathers” in her life, it was truly “Linda’s Happy Life.”
The Fairy Godmother Foundation of New York, Inc.™ constantly endeavors to replicate some of the kindness Linda experienced by granting manageable, meaningful dreams and experiences to enhance the quality of life of children and young adults living with complex medical, mental health, physical or developmental needs.
Number of Dreams
2017-2023
Note: In 2020, this number includes Dream Gift Cards distributed during the early pandemic to families of children with cancer and children with complex developmental needs with limited financial
means.
Our Dream Network
In 2023, we received Dream referrals from an amazing network of professionals working with the following organizations as well as numerous other healthcare professionals and teachers in and around the NYC-Metro area.
Age of Dream Recipients
The Fairy Godmother Foundation does not have an age cap for dream applicants, because those with complex medical conditions don’t stop dreaming when they turn 18. The Foundation considers applicants who are young adults, who have been living with chronic illnesses that started in childhood and continue into young adulthood, such as cancer and transplants.
Fundraising Events
Making dreams come true™ takes a lot of time, energy, and most importantly – generous volunteers and donors!
Golf Tournament
The 2023 Fairy Godmother Golf Tournament at Douglaston Golf Course and Manor honored Detective Miguel Soto for his extraordinary commitment and service to the community. Check out more photos from the event here.
Gala
On November 10. 2023, the Foundation held the 7th Annual
Making Dreams Come True™
Costume Ball & Gala, in memory of Linda Shohatee. More than 200 guests came to Terrace on the Park in Queens to celebrate the Foundation’s work and honored two outstanding individuals, Emily Perl Kingsley and Jason Kingsley. A full gala recap, complete with photos,
is available here.
Community Events
Paper Kraine, a non-profit theatre group in Manhattan, donated the proceeds from a special performance of their show, “Bygone Dreams.” The event also connected the Foundation to outstanding Broadway performers, Mercedes Riege and Viktor Leshchenko who volunteered to entertain and emcee at the Gala. Mercedes has also volunteered to be part of the Foundation’s Dream Team, making dreams come true for children who are in the hospital, visiting and singing with them.
Birthday Fundraiser
Donors John and Kate Peiser turned a special birthday event into an informal fundraiser benefiting the Foundation. In lieu of gifts, guests made donations to the Foundation. Throughout the year, friends of the Foundation make donations in honor and in memory of family, friends, and colleagues. All of these events and individuals make more dreams come true!
Financials
Making dreams come true™ takes a lot of time, energy, and most importantly – generous volunteers and donors!
Notable Numbers
Revenue and Other Support
- Contributions, Net Special Events Income $60,156
- Investment Income $446
- Total $60,602
Expenses
- Program Expenses $19,977
- Administrative Costs $7,638
- Total $27,615
- Assets $32,987
Balance Sheet
- Cash, Savings,and Investments $97,690
- Other Assets $5,075
- Total Liabilities $0
- Net Assets $102,765
Financial information is provided for the year ending December 31, 2022, the most recent filing with the I.R.S.
For more information, visit the
Webpage for The New York State Office of the Attorney General, Charities Bureau.
Thank you donors!
The foundation offers sincere thanks and gratitude to all of its 2023 donors.
| Year | Number of Donors | Average Donation | Top Donation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 149 | 368 | $12,500 |
| 2023 | 202 | 464 | $25,000 |
2023 Dream Circle Supporters
Foundation & Corporate Support
Gold
- Nicole & Mike Graziano, Goldman Sachs Foundation
Silver
- Calmoseptine® Inc., Greg Dixon, President
Bronze
- RSM, Inc.
- Tunnel to Towers Foundation
Dream Donors
- Michael, Erin & Sophie Apmann
- Kathleen McCarthy
- Rosa Family
Sponsors
- Calmoseptine, Greg Dixon, President
- Lynda Olender
- Dana Rosenbloom
Individual & Family Support
Gold
- John & Janet Kornreich
- Nicole & Michael Griaziano
Silver
- Fran D’Agostino
- Apmann & McCarthy Family
Bronze
- Ayello, Harris & Associates
- The Capitulo Family
- Nancy Cincotta & Andrew Eichenfield
- John and Kate Peiser
- Nicholas & Marjorie Polydorou
- Gail & Robert Walker
Board Members & Volunteers
Officers
Kathleen Capitulo PhD, RN, FAAN, IIWCC, President & Founder
Elizabeth A. Ayello PhD, RN, ETN, CWON FAAN, Vice President
Nancy Cincotta LCSW, LMSW, MPhil, Vice President
Colleen McCarthy MS, RN, PNP, Secretary
Mariel Nasis-Matuza CPNP, Treasurer
Directors
Michael Apmann MBA
Melissa Capitulo BSN, RN, CPN
Rolanda “Dolly” Coleman MA
Andrew Eichenfield MD
Nancy Indelicato LCSW
Laura Martin RN, BSN
Brian Murphy
Michelle Rae Pinzon Esq.
Katie Shea MS
Diane Waranis MA
Web, Media & Design Consultant
AJ Cincotta-Eichenfield LMSW, OSW-C,
Lead Volunteers
Suzanne Ayello, Marketing Consultant
Gary Gabisan & Eric Gonzales, Social Media
Ron Capitulo, Finance Committee & Book keeping
Scott Harris, Finance Committee
Gala Volunteers and Support
Germana Berni
Brenda Malloy
Ron & Diane Mattioli
Viktor Leshchenko, entertainer
Keith Price
Mercedes Riege, entertainer
Special Thanks
The Foundation is grateful to AJ Cincotta-Eichenfield, a talented Graphic Designer, Visual Artist, and Social Worker. AJ was part of the team that established the Foundation and now provides Web / Media consultation; and to the members of our working Board of Directors and Committees who work magic in service of making dreams come true™.
Great appreciation is expressed to consultants who have given their time and expertise to the foundation.
- Suzanne Ayello, Marketing
- Gary Gabisan and Eric Gonzalez of VJ Media Group, Social Media
- Stephanie Clemente Esq. & Marc Lieberstein Esq.