Most of our days at KWN are lots of fun. We have a great team, a wonderful mix of personalities and we all share a common goal – to make a wish come true for a child with a life-threatening illness. We have fun and we stay focused on our goal though sometimes we have little dark clouds that hang around, waiting. Today that little dark cloud not only rained on our parade, it broke our hearts. We just heard that one of our little wish girls passed away. When we work for these children and their families to make their wishes come true, we know the wish child may not survive their illness. This thought is very difficult to come to grips with, especially on a day like today.

Yes we are saddened, but at the end of the day we know we must come back tomorrow to help another child and we know we are blessed to have the opportunity to give some hope by making dreams come true for some very special kids.

Donna
Development Department

Since I started at Kids Wish Network in May, I’ve met new friends in the office and have heard so many inspiring stories from some really brave kids. Just like my fellow “development divas” say, Kids Wish Network is truly an amazing experience to be a part of.

I am the administrative assistant for the development department and I am responsible for a variety of things, but recently I was asked to help out the wish funding specialists. When they are working to fund a wish for a wish kid they need to send out that child’s information along with information on our organization to whomever they get in contact with. The “divas” make up to 100-150 calls each a day, so it’s very time consuming for them to get together a packet to send out via email, fax, or mail. That’s where I come in! It’s now up to me to make sure these packets are sent to the right people. At first I will admit that it was difficult juggling my administrative duties with my new found responsibilities, but now that I have the hang of things it’s working out pretty well.

I feel I am more involved with helping our amazing wish kids get their wishes and I feel honored that I have a bigger role in what Kids Wish Network does, and that’s to bring hope to children across the nation! Yet another bonus, I now have two very close friends: the office printer and the fax machine!!

Melissa
Development Department

It has been almost eight months since I started at Kids Wish Network. Boy has time flown by! I can’t tell you enough how lucky I am to be working at such an amazing organization.

I work in the Development Department, and my official title is Research Specialist. When we get a new “wish kid,” our department is asked to try and get the wish funded, and that’s where I come in! Before our amazing funding specialists can actually start working to fund the wish, I work my magic and research the city where the child is from. It sounds pretty easy, at least that’s what I thought, but it’s a lot of work!

I love doing what I do because as I research each new wish child, I’m learning about where they’re from and what that area is known for. I’ve heard of so many new places now that I never would’ve otherwise. Every time I research a new city, completely different from the last, it’s like an adventure!

I’m truly lucky to be doing what I’m doing because I can help so many children out there that deserve to have smiles on their faces!

I’m also very fortunate to be working with such great people, especially my “development divas!” Without these amazing women, I couldn’t do what I do.

Angela
Development Department

I’ve worked all over the United States trying to fund wishes for children who just need some smiles on their faces. I’ve spoken to some wonderful sponsors and every once in a while you get a sponsor who wants to help in more ways than funding a wish.

I recently worked on funding wishes for Zachary and Kevin, two brothers that live in Florida. In speaking with the secretary of the local Masonic Lodge, he mentioned that they not only wanted to help with the wish but wanted Zachary, Kevin and their family to have dinner with them. It was all set to happen and I anxiously awaited the call to see how things went. I received a call the very next day and by all accounts everyone had a wonderful time. It’s always wonderful when a sponsor wants to go that extra mile to bring a smile to a child’s face.

Megan
Development Department

I recently had the privilege to work on fulfilling a wish for a youngster from Newnan, GA. His name is Eli and he was diagnosed, at the age of 2, with Fraser Syndrome. As if that weren’t enough he was also born without eyes. With his mother reading to him all the time, it was no wonder that his wish was to meet Jonathan London, the author of his favorite books. It turned out to be a heartwarming meeting for all and when I got to read about his meeting with Jonathan, it reminded me of exactly why I work at Kids Wish Network and how much we really do affect these children! It’s wonderful to be able to put smiles on their faces and joy in their hearts!

Doris
Development Department

Talk about a wish sponsor going above and beyond!!!! Aidan’s wish to go to Disney World was sponsored entirely by the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 83 in Kansas. I received a message from firefighter Aaron that we should expect to receive a special gift to send to Aidan. This was certainly an understatement. What we received was the most beautiful hand-painted fire helmet personalized with Aidan’s name. I wish I could be there to see Aidan’s face when he receives this most thoughtful gift from the firefighters in Kansas.

Donna

It’s not a secret that times are tough. However, even during these tough times, there are still kind-hearted people out there; People who let nothing get in their way to help a child who needs a wish granted. They have a special place in their hearts for children and the story of a child with a life-threatening illness really touches them. They even think “outside the box,” coming up with special ways to raise funds, like the Credit Union who came up with the idea of doing a 50/50 raffle. Then there’s the college that gets all the teachers to come together to help fund a child’s wish, or the American Legion who digs into their own pockets to help a child in need. I wanted to thank all the creative donors out there who go the extra mile to put a smile on the face of a child with a life threatening illness.

Megan
Development Dept.

I had been diligently working on fulfilling Zachary’s wish and seemed to be getting nowhere when I reached the Moose Family Center close to where he lives. This was such a touching experience not only for me but for the family and especially Zachary. They not only held fundraisers for him but also made him an honorary member of the Moose so that he can go back and enjoy all the new friends he made. The sponsors that we are fortunate to connect with are truly special people and do some amazing things for our kids. I will never forget Fred and all of his efforts and kindness not only to me but especially to Zachary. It just reminds me that there are truly angels living among us!!

Doris
Development Dept.

All of the children I am working on finding sponsors for live up north. Right now the northern states are having record breaking cold weather. I expected this week to go by slowly. I figured many people would be stuck inside there homes with the heat turned up in a warm, cozy blanket. To my surprise I was quite busy talking to people who were going out conquering the cold. They left home to face icy cold temperatures and still had kindness in their voices. Many were warm hearted and wanted to help a child in their area. I guess the saying “cold hands, warm heart” holds true.

Megan (Developent)

Going into the New Year I want to thank some wonderfully generous people! This past year I met some awesome people from companies, individuals, organizations and clubs across America who reached deep into their pockets to help fund wishes for our wish kids!  With their help we fulfilled 700+ wishes for some pretty amazing kids!  Wishes ranged from meeting their favorite celebrity to a shopping spree. 

I look forward to 2009 when we can fulfill even more wishes. 

Happy 2009!

Donna (Development Department)

There are many wonderful feel good opportunities when you are working for a great cause.  There are some wonderful people I get to talk to who really want to help. Then there are those who become sponsors and put me one step closer to funding the wishes. It’s always a fantastic feeling when a wish child has their wish fulfilled. But I think one of the things I anticipate the most is hearing the excitement when the day finally comes to have the wish granted. It’s great to hear how much fun they have, whether it’s a trip, a shopping spree or a brand new gadget they can’t get enough of. This week, Caleb will be getting his Xbox 360 and Evan is on his way to Legoland! I can’t wait to hear how much they loved their wishes! It makes it all worth while.

Megan (Development Department)

As we begin the new year of 2009 we are all faced with economic trials, but that truly hasn’t hampered the generous donors that have opened their hearts to our children across the miles. I find it humbling as they continue to support all the children and their wishes as these hard economic times continue. I hope they know how much they are truly appreciated.

Doris – Development Department

The Holiday Season is a busy time for everybody, so I just want to take the time to wish everyone a happy and safe New Year. I hope this year brings joy and happiness to everyone. Enjoy the fresh start!

Megan (Development)

Christian went on his wish at Best Buy for a shopping spree this week.  It was great calling sponsors in his home town; people were eager to help out.  I am so glad he was able to have his wish come true. The Holiday season seems like a perfect time to go on a shopping spree. I’m sure he was able to get all kinds of fun and exciting gadgets and gizmos to keep him entertained and full of smiles. I hope Christian was able to get everything he wanted.

Megan (Development)

As we prepare for the Holiday season here at Kids Wish Network I am totally surprised at the dedication of our wonderful sponsors to make sure that our kids have their wishes fulfilled even with the trying times of our economic state. I would like to take this time to thank all the wonderful people across the miles and wish them a joyous and, more importantly, a healthy holiday season!

Doris (Development)