Swinging for dreams, as a tournament-record 36 foursomes took the green at the 26th annual Make-a-Wish Open on Monday, June 10.

This year, Make-a-Wish Central New York is hoping to make dreams come true for 136 kids throughout 15 counties in New York, including 21 kids from the Southern Tier. 

"You know, when a wish is granted, a child replaces fear with confidence, sadness with joy, and anxiety with hope," President and CEO of Make-a-Wish Central New York Diane Kuppermann said. "Those are all really great things for kids and their families"

The tournament brings in around $40,000 a year, all towards making dreams come true. Since last year's tournament, twenty-four children in the southern tier have received their wishes. 

They want to increase that number this year and each year one thing always remains the same with this community. 

"Everyone comes with this story or has seen the wish of a child on TV or heard of a neighbor who had a wish," Kuppermann said. "For me, it's just that gift of gratitude that so many people care."

Since the beginning of the Make-a-Wish Open, 284 children living in Broome, Chenango, Otsego, and Tioga counties have received wishes