Letter from the Director of Charitable Giving

Dear Delegates, Sponsors, and Guests of GSMUN XXVIII,

GSMUN is all about driving change — empowering our delegates to be future leaders who will improve the world, while making an immediate impact in our community through charitable giving. Before this year’s committees take delegates around the world and across time, I’d like to draw your attention to a cause that affects us right here and right now. It is my distinct honor as Director of Charitable Giving to officially present Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia as the charity for GSMUN XXVIII.

Every year, children throughout the state of Virginia face critical illnesses which challenge their strength, spirit, and souls. Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia is dedicated to granting these children lifelong wishes, providing a beacon of hope, courage, and resilience for every young boy and girl. Whether it's meeting a hero, going on a trip, or receiving a special gift, every wish granted shines a light through a sea of darkness, one which illuminates and projects the hopes and dreams of generations.

Since its founding in 1987, Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia has granted over 5,800 wishes across the Commonwealth. Each wish is built on local support, with the collective effort transforming the lives of children, families, medical teams, and entire communities. This work serves as a reminder that hope is a mighty force; one which can heal, uplift, and unite us all in the most divisive of times. 

This year, GSMUN hopes to donate more than $10,000 to Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia by the end of the conference to support their mission of spreading hope. Each dollar donated brings us one step closer to changing another child's life. It’s not a goal we can achieve alone; we need your compassion, dedication, and vision to continue GSMUN’s proud tradition of charitable impact. 

We’ve been working hard to continue our conference’s tradition of making impactful donations to our partner charity, and your support from now all the way through the conference weekend will be crucial to our efforts. There are many ways to learn more about Make-A-Wish Greater Virginia, and even more ways to make a difference. At our conference in February, we’ll have a representative from Make-A-Wish speak firsthand about the organization’s mission and the inspiring stories of the children they serve. There will also be opportunities for you to give through merchandise, snack sales, and fundraising incentives. Until then, please head to www.gsmun.net/charity to get involved and donate today. 

At GSMUN, we don’t believe hope resides just in wishes. It lives in our actions. The same hope which inspires the dreams of a young child can compel a group of students to create change. Let this year show that when young people come together with a shared purpose, we can turn hope into something real, one wish at a time. 

Thank you all so much for your support,

Ousmane Dieng

Director of Charitable Givings

GSMUN XXVIII