Wednesday evening, Marian Buchanan Silverstein was a new face in the Bridgeport High School Alumni Band, but some recognized her through her longtime work with Make-A-Wish® Foundation.

 

A 1972 graduate of BHS, Silverstein worked 16 years for the organization, which still holds a special place in her heart.

 

“Our chapter touched so many lives and granted so many wishes. Each had its own special uniqueness and it was the child that made it unique,” she said.  “Make-A-Wish® Foundation is the best organization in the world. I have so many wonderful memories of the children and the families.”

 

Wishes granted to children with life-threatening illnesses ranged from trips to Disney and Hawaii to meeting celebrities like Michael J. Fox, Michael Jordan and “The Rock,” Dwayne Johnson.

 

“We even granted a Super Bowl wish and it was just incredible,” Silverstein said.

 

To fund those wishes, the organization held fundraisers across the state. Included was the annual Casino Night at Pete Dye Golf Club. It was always one of the biggest, most successful fundraisers and that made Silverstein feel so proud of her hometown, she said.

 

“Casino Night was wonderful and there are so many wonderful volunteers in this area,” she said. “I had some great board members from the area which were so helpful and just provided great support.”

 

Silverstein served as president and chief executive officer of Make-A-Wish® of Northern West Virginia. She started with the organization in 1998 as a consultant and also served as director of development before holding the top position.

 

“There were only four people in our office – three other people and myself,” she said. “I traveled 32 counties in northern West Virginia and had the support of our generous donors to help make wishes come true.”

 

It’s a rare opportunity to have a job for which one has such a passion, Silverstein said.

 

“During my 16 years with this wonderful organization, I have seen the meaning of the power of a wish,” she said. “I’ve seen it all. It was truly the children who made it all so special.”

 

But one thing led her to make the decision to move on. It became important to Silverstein to work closer to home where she and her husband have been residents of Nemacolin Woodlands Resort for the past 11 years.

 

A few years ago, she was hired by Isle of Capri to assist in opening Lady Luck Casino Nemacolin, where she has served as executive host since its opening in July of 2013.

 

“We have a lovely casino with both slots and tables. I like to say it is a boutique casino that is an amenity to the resort,” she said.

 

In a way, Silverstein is still making wishes come true and she’s again in her element, she said.

 

“Nemacolin is a little piece of paradise for people to enjoy. I absolutely love my job,” she said. “I’m around people all the time and that’s nice. My primary role is customer service related. On occasion, I also handle outside sales and coordinate meet and greets throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia."

 

Silverstein is also a Coldwell-Banker realtor and sells Nemacolin properties and nearby mountain properties.

 

Before working for Make-A-Wish®, Silverstein lived and worked in South Florida for 22 years. She was a successful sales associate for Bayview Cadillac and Alpine Jaguar in Ft. Lauderdale.

 

“I’m a sales person,” she said. “What can I say?”

 

Marian Buchanan grew up in Bridgeport. She lived here from the time she was in third grade. It was special to be part of festivities for BHS Homecoming 2015 for which the Disney-inspired theme is "Where Dreams Come True."