A spike in donations for ‘Making a Difference’ nonprofits

>>> finally tonight, we would like to turn the attention back to you for a moment if you don't mind, in our "making a difference" reports, we showed you fantastic individuals and organizations helping so many people and so many of you have reached out to help and make donations. so for our friday night "making a difference" report, nbc's katy tur reports on the difference so many of you have made.

>> reporter: wishes as simple as learning to walk like these penguins, from one. or getting your own instrument.

>> whenever we get a thank you letter in the mail.

>> reporter: on monday, we learned about danielle gletow, who realizes not everybody can adopt, but many can help. this new jersey charity asks a smaller commitment, matching donors to a website full of wishes big and small. granting ten to 20 wishes is a normal week for gletow. but after our story aired she raised more than $66,000, enough for 725 brand-new wishes.

>> it is telling these kids that they're here for them, a lot of them gave up believing in them.

>> reporter: chelsea clinton helped.

>> they set up support for those that can't afford the latest models.

>> i am happy.

>> reporter: a month later, and donations are up more than a third. and two weeks ago we brought you here to the rockaways where the recovery still has a ways to go. it is where we met a group of men known as the "gray beards." each lost something when sandy hit, but despite it all, they rallied to help. this is the first hot shower she had in her house since sandy. all because she knows a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy.

>> now we'll have heat for thanksgiving, that is awesome.

>> reporter: from boyilers to cash, they have lots to work with. not just money, but hope for people who need it.

>> go ahead.

>> reporter: proving the ones who are really making a difference are people like you. katy tur, nbc news, new york.