Chi Omega sorority, in conjunction with Make-a-Wish Foundation of Illinois, set a chapter goal of raising $10,000 to sponsor wishes for two children with life-threatening medical conditions this semester.

“This is the most money any Chi Omega has given to the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Illinois at one time,” said Megan Minogue, development coordinator at Make-a-Wish of Illinois, in an e-mail interview.

Established in 1980, Make-a-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of sick children in an attempt to create a memorable experience for them and their families. The organization has reached more than 144,000 children worldwide, according to its Web site.

To sponsor two children, Chi Omega must raise $10,000. Each wish costs approximately $5,000.

Chi Omega will reveal fundraising totals at the sorority’s third annual “Just Wish for It!” variety show Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m. in Lincoln Hall.

“At the rate things are going, we plan on surpassing our goal,” said Jenny Coulter, Chi Omega’s philanthropy chair and sophomore in ALS.

The variety show, Chi Omega’s largest fundraiser, will feature performances by Illini Drumline and Xtension Chords, an all-male a cappella group. There will also be acts by various campus Greeks.

All of the acts donated money to participate, Coulter said.

The sorority, a national partner of Make-a-Wish, has been selling hot chocolate and collecting donations from community members since January to reach their goal.

“There was a great response from campus,” Coulter said. “It was just really encouraging to see how willing people were to donate to a good cause. Even if they didn’t want hot chocolate, they would still give. We had people sticking $5 bills in our spare change bucket.”

During the week, members take turns selling hot chocolate in front of their house, 907 S. Wright St. They also collect donations from bar patrons on the weekends.

“Everyone in the house is just so willing to sign up for shifts to sell hot chocolate or bar can,” Coulter said. “So it really has been easy to get this far.”

Each of the 140 active members was asked to raise at least $25, Coulter said.

“Our new members have been amazingly supportive,” said Dana Grunthaner, Chi Omega’s publicity chair and senior in Communications. “That’s 50 girls that are always asking, ‘what can I do to help?'”

Donations have been made by many Campustown businesses.

“We’ve had great response from the community,” Grunthaner said.

Chi Omega members will meet their two “wish kids” for the first time and present their funding to Make-a-Wish representatives at the show. The sorority fundraising will sponsor an 11-year-old boy’s wish for a trip to Disney World and a 5-year-old girl’s wish for a redecorated bedroom.

Chi Omega has donated a total of $10,300 during recent years, Minogue said.

This is the first year that the sorority has surpassed $10,000 by the February variety show, Coulter said. In the future, the sorority hopes to raise $15,000 and grant three wishes in one year.

“I think sometimes students get a bad rap for being in their own world and not caring about stuff,” she said. “It’s just been a blessing to see people open their hearts up to this.”