Forte Construction hosts wish celebration in partnership with Make-A-Wish

Islip, NY Forte Construction Corp., in partnership with Make-A-Wish Metro New York and Western New York, hosted a wish celebration at its Islandia headquarters for Long Island–based wish recipients and their families.

The special lunch celebration featured a variety of engaging activities, including life-sized games of Jenga and Bingo, offering each child the opportunity to share the excitement of their upcoming wishes, while creating space for families to connect and foster a deeper sense of community.

Over the years, Forte Construction Corp. has supported Make-A-Wish Metro New York and Western New York, which has granted more than 21,000 life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses since 1983.

The company contributed $10,000 to help bring children’s wishes to life, while Forte employees curated and assembled personalized gift bags for each child, capturing the spirit of their individual wishes.

Among this year’s honorees was Kayden, a nine-year-old boy living with a heart condition, whose wish for a backyard treehouse will soon become a reality. He looks forward to spending the summer enjoying the space with friends. In celebration of his wish, Forte assembled a personalized gift bag that included a pickleball set and kickball for outdoor play, along with a Minecraft poster to help decorate his new hangout spot.

“It has been an honor for the Forte Construction team to help bring meaningful wishes to life over the past several years through the Make-A-Wish Metro New York and Western New York,” said Forte Construction director of philanthropy Athena Pappas. “We are continually inspired by the strength and resilience of these children and their families. It is deeply rewarding to support the Make-A-Wish mission and contribute to projects that create moments of joy and lasting impact.”

Another wish recipient is Mason, an 11-year-old boy with a blood disorder, who wished for an oval pool in his backyard. He loves to spend time in the water, once spending nearly an entire seven-day family cruise in the jacuzzi. Forte assembled a personalized gift bag for him that included a towel, goggles, and a water gun, to help kick off the fun he will have this summer in his new backyard pool.

“It has been so impactful to see Forte Construction’s continued donations and commitment to making wish celebrations special for these children for the past several years,” said Kirsten Platt, associate director, Strategic Partnerships Make-A-Wish Metro New York & Western New York. “These events go beyond just the initial wish but help to create a sense of community and a warm environment for not only the child, but their families as well.”

Forte’s long-term support of Make-A-Wish is part of the company’s larger philanthropic program that not only includes donations to important charities but encourages staff members to engage directly with organizations within the communities where they live and work. Their ongoing charitable initiatives include an annual Staff Picked Charity Contest, in which staff members anonymously nominate causes close to their heart for a $10,000 reward, as well as a Mission Series held three times per year, where teams from Forte’s projects across downstate New York participate in events ranging from charity walks to visits to at regional senior centers.