About Us
One Simple Wish grants simple wishes to deserving children and families in need. On our website, donors can browse through hundreds of wishes posted on behalf of impoverished families and foster children and select a specific wish to grant. Wishes typically range in value from $5 - $100, making wish granting simple and affordable.
Our Mission | Endorsements | Founder & Board of Directors
Our Mission
Millions of children and families in our country are homeless, living in poverty or trapped in the foster care system - hundreds of thousands in NJ alone. As a foster parent and passionate advocate for children, I continue to be amazed and inspired at how much true joy and appreciation I see from families and children who receive small gestures of kindness from strangers. Many of us may view school supplies for our kids, a new household appliance or even a haircut as a common expectation. But for others these seemingly basic needs can appear to be major challenges.
One Simple Wish was created to grant simple wishes to deserving children and families in need. Through our website we enable caring people to brighten the day of homeless and/or impoverished families and foster children by fulfilling a small wish such as a new backpack for school or a family trip to the movies. Eligible children and families can make their wishes through OSW’s network of established non-profits and religious organizations. These organizations then submit the wishes to One Simple Wish to be granted. We offer donors the ability to see the direct impact of their contributions by allowing them to search for a unique individual needing assistance.
For many underprivileged children and impoverished families in our country, the smallest gifts and random acts of kindness can be viewed as miracles. You don’t have to be a saint, a magician or a millionaire to make a miracle for a child or family in need. You just have to care enough to reach out.
Please take a moment to browse our site and find out more about the families and children we serve and how you can make someone’s wish come true!
Thank you!
Danielle Gletow
Founder, One Simple Wish
Endorsements
Some kind words about our work…
One Simple Wish has done an amazing job helping to brighten the lives of the abused, neglected and homeless teens in our care. Many of these youth have never received a birthday gift or found something special just for them under the Christmas tree.
Jeffrey Fetzko, ACSW, LSW, CFRE
Executive Director, Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children
The reason One Simple Wish stands out is that it is something that everyone can get involved with in some way. Even though I don’t have a lot of additional money at the end of the month, I can log onto OneSimpleWish.org and find a child whose wish is within my means and I can change someone’s life.
Megann Anderson, J.D.
Executive Director, New Jersey Alliance for Children, Youth and Families
We are very grateful to One Simple Wish as the wishes they grant strengthen the relationships of the mentoring matches by providing them with opportunities to bond in various educational, cultural and recreational outings. Our volunteer mentors are also thankful as many are not in a position to spend money on the children.
Susan M. Dunning
Executive Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer County, Inc.
One Simple Wish helps the Club go that extra step in letting kids know people care about their success and appreciate their efforts. We thank you for making this fall special for our kids and look forward to working with you in helping our kids reach their full potential.
David E. Anderson
Executive Director, Boys & Girls Club Trenton and Mercer Counties
Since our partnership we have had approximately 20 wishes granted, some being trips to the aquarium, art supplies for our school sites and tickets to go to a museum. These items provide experiences for the youth in our program that we cannot provide for them. It also reduces the expenses placed on a volunteer who already give their time.
Robert Jakubowski
CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties
One Simple Wish has made such a tremendous impact on so many lives. Danielle Gletow advocates and goes beyond the call of duty for others to be happy.
Evelyn Nieves- Lalama
Division of Children and Families, Patterson
One Simple Wish is truly a godsend to many people. An example of a filled wish was a camp scholarship for a child in foster care. Foster and Adoptive Family Services was struggling to send all the children who applied for a week at overnight camp this past summer. Danielle found a sponsor that allowed us to send another child in foster care to camp. The camp scholarship is very important to our children because it is often an opportunity to connect with siblings from whom they have been separated.
Mary Jane Awrachow
Executive Director, Foster and Adoptive Family Services
Graduation photos. A trip to the movies. A double-dutch jump rope. Many kids could simply ask their parents to buy these items, and they will do so without hesitation. But many families our agency PEI Kids serve cannot afford these purchases as they worry about necessities like food and shelter. The children and the families we serve have faced horrible situations – child sexual abuse, abandonment, trauma and loss. Many of these children have stopped wishing for things they know they cannot have. There are no fairy tales with happy endings in their worlds. Because of One Simple Wish, children in our programs are having happy endings.
I have seen firsthand in the eyes of the children we serve the joy and happiness this organization has given them. And it is not just the gift itself. Many of these children have been hurt and disappointed by the people in their lives who are supposed to love and care for them. To have a complete stranger purchase a gift for them helps restore their faith in humankind.
Nicole Cody
Communications & Outreach Associate, PEI Kids
While One Simple Wish (OSW) is a relative newcomer to the New Jersey nonprofit scene, its impact has been substantial, and on a variety of fronts. Not only does OSW generously and prolifically grant wishes on behalf of foster children, at-risk youth and impoverished families, but, through its creative, community-based marketing and public relations/fundraising activities, the organization raises awareness of issues around these fragile populations. Through its important work, OSW provides an eloquent voice for those whose cries are rarely heard.
Karen Andrade-Mims
Executive Director, UIH Family Partners
Founder & Board of Directors
From left to right: Gary DeRogatis, Joseph Gletow, Kat Swift (Secretary), Marissa DeRogatis, Danielle Gletow (Founder & Executive Director), Kimberly Eaves-Gelb (President), Kimberly Bruss, Victoria Ragucci, John Fallon (Vice President). Not Pictured: Andrew Kramer, Brie McCoach, Natalie Tolle
Danielle Gletow - Founder & Executive Director
Danielle DeRogatis-Gletow is a passionate advocate for children’s rights and has been active in children’s causes for over a decade. In 2006, she became a licensed Resource Parent in NJ. Among other awards and achievements, Danielle was honored with the 2008 Cherish the Children Award from the Mercer County Coalition for Abused, Neglected and Missing Children for her work as Executive Producer and Director of maryland: the story of LifeTies, a documentary short which chronicled the formation of LifeTies, a NJ nonprofit serving abused and neglected adolescents in NJ. She currently sits on the Board of Directors for LifeTies and is Chair of the Public Relations Committee. Danielle is a Marketing Consultant and offers her services for several nonprofits at no charge. She currently resides in West Trenton, NJ with her husband, Joseph, their two daughters, Mia and Lily, and their dog, Ralphie.
Kimberly Eaves-Gelb - President, Board of Directors
Kimberly Eaves-Gelb has over 9 years experience in the arts including graphic design, painting, photography and theatrical set design. Since 2004, she has been a freelance graphic designer under KAE Graphic Designs, with the majority of her clients stemming from the healthcare and non-profit industries. Currently she is working with Capital Health System, a 589-bed, acute-care, two-hospital system, located in the heart of Trenton. Her work for Capital Health System includes monthly newsletters, departmental brochures, print advertisements, logo design and community outreach collateral. Kimberly is an active member of the Arts Council of Princeton and received a degree in Marketing from Monmouth University. She lives in Lawrenceville with her husband, Charles and dog, Samson.
John Fallon - Vice President, Board of Directors
John Fallon is Vice President of Consumer Marketing at Vantage Learning in Newtown, PA. Prior to joining Vantage Learning, he held various marketing and communication positions with Films Media Group, American Chemical Society, Business Publishers, and Capitol Publications. John graduated with an MA in Communications/Public Relations from Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ. He received his BS in Marketing from Fairleigh Dickenson University, Madison, NJ. John and his wife Susan, a fourth-grade teacher in Lumberton, NJ, live with their two daughters, Emily and Danielle and son Jack in Delran, NJ.
Marissa DeRogatis
Marissa DeRogatis has been a Registered Nurse for over five years, specializing in providing care to troubled youth in various treatment facilities within NJ. Marissa has a strong commitment to adolescents and has worked closely with state agencies, such as the Division of Youth and Family Services, on advocating for their rights. She also owns and operates a horse farm in central NJ where she offers horseback riding lessons and trains for competition. Marissa resides in Robbinsville, NJ with her boyfriend.
Brie McCoach
Brie McCoach is a graduate of Seton Hall University and received honors as Valedictorian of the Communications Department. Brie has held numerous internships, and has worked in the fields of marketing/communications at various organizations such as The Bergen Record Online, WABC-NY, Ogilvy & Mather and Weichert Realtors Business Academy. She has also worked on Public Relations initiatives and coordinated programs for the Boys and Girls Club of Union County. Brie currently serves as Senior Marketing Manager for Chelsea Property Group where she is responsible for domestic advertising and creative direction. Brie is also a licensed realtor. She currently resides with her boyfriend in Rockaway, NJ.
Andrew Kramar
Andrew has been working with children since 2000. He currently works as a middle school math and science teacher at Cavallini Middle School in Upper Saddle River, NJ. Additionally, he coaches the Northern Highlands Regional High School ice hockey team and works as a camp administrator for a local day camp during the summer months. Among other awards and honors, Andrew has been nominated for Disney Teacher of the Year and Who's Who Among America's Teachers. He holds a bachelor in arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a master in public administration degree from New York University. Andrew currently resides in Mahwah, NJ.
Kat Swift
Born in Berlin Germany, Kat has always had the desire to volunteer her time and energy to charitable organizations. Since the young age of 7, Kat has been volunteering to help raise money for the Pennsylvania ballet at their ballet boutique. While in college, Kat joined Zeta Tau Alpha sorority whose main philanthropic pursuit was the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Awareness foundation. Through her ties with Zeta Tau Alpha, Kat was chosen as a co-committee chair for the 2005 Philadelphia courage night, a black tie event raising over $50,000 for breast cancer awareness in young women. In the fall of 2008 Kat assisted the Women of the Waters and Fairmount Park conservancy with the Third Annual Water Works Celebration. In the spring of 2009 Kat will be assisting the Komen Philadelphia Affiliate with a campaign call Pretty In Pig which will be centered around a larger-than-life, clear pink piggy bank for donations at the Race for the cure site in Philadelphia. Kat currently resides in center city Philadelphia.
Joseph Gletow
Joseph Gletow is a licensed Resource Parent in NJ and is an active advocate for children’s rights. He is a Client Manager for Tandem Labs, a Contract Research Organization. He currently resides in West Trenton with his wife and Founder of One Simple Wish, Danielle, their two daughters, Mia and Lily and their dog, Ralphie.
Gary DeRogatis
Gary DeRogatis owns a chain of retail uniform stores in Northern NJ. Gary has always maintained a strong commitment to serving those in need and frequently takes part in fundraising and charitable causes that benefit children. Gary resides in Califon, NJ.
Kimberly Bruss
As an advocate and active volunteer, Kimberly Bruss supports the Susan G. Komen Foundation and has participated in the Race for the Cure for the past seven years. In addition, Kimberly contributes to The Seeing Dog Foundation, the American Heart Association, United Way and local animal shelters. Kimberly joined One Simple Wish to play a more active role in helping children in her community. Being an adoptive parent has only further raised her awareness and interest in supporting children’s causes. Kimberly currently resides in Mercer County, NJ with her husband, Tom and their two-year-old son, Jaemin.
Victoria Ragucci
Victoria Ragucci has passionately devoted her life thus far to working with children, specifically those who come from low socio-economic status families. In 1997 Vicki graduated from Trenton State College with her degree in Deaf Education. Upon graduation, Vicki, who is fluent in American Sign Language, immediately began working for the Newark Public School District as a classroom teacher at an elementary school for students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. In 2007, she graduated with her Masters in Educational Administration and Supervision and at that point she changed career roles and has since been serving as the Program Coordinator for the district’s Auditory Impairments Program. Vicki serves on a variety of committees in the Newark Public School District and actively participates in various fundraisers and charity events both inside and outside of the school. Vicki has served as the school leader for the Do Something Program as well as a mentor for the Best Friends Program. She is also actively
involved with the Big Brother Big Sister Program and currently has two Little Sisters. Vicki currently resides in Bloomfield, NJ with Jason Collins and their cat Ginger.
Natalie Tolle
Natalie Tolle graduated from Rider University with honors and is currently enrolled in Rider’s MBA program. During her undergrad she worked as an Assistant Account Executive for Rosetta and did much
community service during her two terms as NJ Future Business Leaders of America – Phi Beta Lambda State Secretary. After graduation she interned at
One Simple Wish and fell in love with the organization and its mission. She currently lives in Bordentown, NJ and works for Oxford Communications, an award winning integrated marketing agency headquarted in Lambertville.
Anthony Del Monte - Honorary Board Member
Anthony DelMonte is President of Squeaky Wheel Media, a cutting-edge interactive agency located in New York, NY. Anthony is a New Media veteran with credentials in the Interactive space dating back to 1993. His success is attributed to his steadfast commitment to the needs of both clients and employees. As the founder of Squeaky Wheel, he takes these commitments to another level, making them his utmost priorities. Anthony joined One Simple Wish’s Board of Directors to continue the legacy of his father’s commitment to helping people in need.
