I am in the process of putting together a playhouse for a sweet little girl named Jolie with leukemia and I just wanted to give a big thanks to some sponsors who have helped out. Kid Kraft went above and beyond by donating many items for the inside of her playhouse including a play kitchen, table and chairs, a tea set, wooden toy box and a large doll house. I would also like to thank Hawkins Homes, who is in the process of putting up her playhouse. A few other sponsors who have made this wish possible are Dali Wall Decals, Valerie Rice, M & D Supply and Orange County Building Materials Inc. This wish wouldn’t have come together so efficiently without their help.

Thanks again, everyone. I’m so glad we could get this together for her by Christmas!

Hopefully, pictures to come…

Vanessa
Wish Department

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I enjoyed spending time with my friends and family and being in the company of loved ones.

But when I came back to work, MAN! I had so much to do! I am still catching up on things that piled up while I was gone. I just keep thinking about all that delicious turkey I ate and it is getting me through each day!

Elizabeth
Wish Department

I’ve blogged on this before, but I really like receiving all the surveys from Wish Kids, Hero Kids and Gift Bank recipients. There are always such exclamations of joy and surprise and well, just wonderful things about what these kids and facilities have received. The parents of Wish Kids love to talk about the smiles on the faces of their children as their wishes are granted; the families of the Hero Kids love to talk about how surprised their children are when they find out they’ve won the award. The facilities are just pleased all the way around with what our awesome Distribution Dept. sends them. Every survey makes my day that much better and that’s just completely wonderful. I love it.

Alicia
Editorial Department

It was a special and rare instance for me to be able to share in a magical experience last weekend. This past Saturday, I was fortunate enough to be able to spend the afternoon with a very special wish child and a “jolly ol’ soul” in a red suit.

From my very first conversation with Kira, she wiggled her way right into my heart. She’s very sweet and humble 9 year-old who is thankful for all that she has. When I asked her what it was that she wanted for her wish, she said a Petco gift card for her dog. She paused a moment then said, “What I really want to do is go on a shopping spree!” “Wiregrass,” she continued, “is my favorite place to shop.”

With the assistance of some special elves from The Shops at Wiregrass, Kira had her wish for a shopping spree come true. Kira’s day began at Petco where, thanks to the generosity of their kind-hearted employees, she was able to purchase a few items for her special little Lhasa Apso, Sammy. Next stop- the mall! There, Santa’s Chief Elf, Chad Doritan (Marketing Director of The Shops at Wiregrass), really went to work. First, there was shopping and lunch at Grillsmith, then a make-over at hq Aveda. Looking beautiful, Kira enjoyed a special meeting with Santa, followed by the opportunity to guest conduct along side the famous northerner for the Symphony in Lights Celebration. High above the crowd, Santa and Kira led the orchestral light show. After a serenade by the Alan Darcy Group, Kira’s night ended with dinner at Yamato.

It was my special pleasure as a Wish Coordinator to be able to share in this special day with Kira and her family. All of my kids are special, but every once in a while you come across one that grabs hold of your heart. Kira is one such child. This is due in part to the fact that I am a carrier of the Cystic Fibrosis gene, and there was a chance that my own child could have been afflicted with this illness. I am very thankful everyday that my own daughter is healthy.

Thank you for the chance to get to know you, Kira. Your heart, your courage and your smiles are inspirational!

Jen
Wish Department

This is a short week at Kids Wish Network. Not because there isn’t work to do, but because Thanksgiving is Thursday and we have Friday off, too.

For many people, Thanksgiving is about food, family and spending time with the ones they love. It is a time to remember what is important and to give thanks for all the ways they have been blessed.

Thanksgiving is such an awesome holiday. It is a day to slow down and take a look at all the wonderful things we have. It is a chance to escape from the toils of daily life – and the struggles we face each day – and truly be happy for what we have.

I try to remember what is important on a daily basis. I always like to think about the positive things in my life, and not get caught up in the snares of the world. But sometimes it is hard to focus on the good things, especially when you feel like there are too many problems you are facing.

Working at Kids Wish Network for the past five months has put life into a new perspective for me. I talk to so many different families who are struggling with issues that make my worries seem menial. Their strength and courage is truly a testament to the kind of people they are and the kind of faith they have.

This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for not having to face the issues that families across this country deal with every day. I know that there will be curveballs thrown at me in the future, and for that, I am thankful that I am working here because I will remember the ability of our families to pull through the tough times and maybe it will help me do the same.

Elizabeth
Wish Department

I just wanted to wish everyone a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Vanessa
Wish Department

This past week I had the opportunity to see what we do here – first hand.

My son had to be hospitalized after a minor operation and he wasn’t the most in the best of moods. Usually a very active boy, he was confined to a hospital floor and anywhere he went, his IV pole went with him.

Shortly after his arrival on the pediatric floor, a child life specialist came by to see if she could offer some assistance in cheering him up. He showed minimal interest in the movies and coloring books she offered. Then she said those 4 magic words – “We have a playroom.” It brought a small smile to his face.

Shortly after, we ventured down to the playroom and lo and behold, I saw a sign that proclaimed it to be sponsored by Kids Wish Network!! I smiled and looked down at my son. He wasn’t paying me any mind and had zeroed in on the cars on the other side of the room!

For the next 30 minutes, he pushed cars around the room and I pushed his IV pole behind him. He quickly wore himself out and we soon returned to his room. While in his bed, his mood became somber and he showed little interest in anything else. After a brief nap, we returned to the playroom and his spirits immediately lifted.

It’s great to know that the hundreds of gift banks we send out to hospitals yearly help bring small smiles to the faces of these kids who are stuck in an unfamiliar situation. It is always great to hear feedback from the hospitals but nothing compares to seeing the magic firsthand!

Margo
HOTM Facility Coordinator

I have an ache in my heart today. Not because I have experienced something sad personally, but because I know that there are hearts out there that are hurting.

The other day I called a family that I received a wish referral for. They have a 3-year-old son who has a cancerous tumor on his brain stem. Because of the tumor’s location, each and every doctor who has seen the little boy has declined to do surgery on him. He was given two months to live – five months ago. As of right now, he is not doing so good. His parents said they are putting their faith in God and praying for a miracle.

Yesterday I received a call from a grandmother of a 7-year-old girl whose parents beat and abused the little girl to the point of death. She was taken to the hospital, where she was brought back to life by the doctors not once, but three times. The grandmother is a widow and lives on a fixed income. She called to ask me if I knew of any place that could help with Christmas gifts for her granddaughter. Her goal was to get three presents for her to have on Christmas morning. She said that she thought God let the little girl live for a bigger cause. Like the first family I mentioned, this grandmother said she is relying on her faith to provide for her granddaughter and to do something special in her life.

I may not be cultured in the things of this world. To tell the truth, I have only ever visited a few states other than the one I was born in. I barely squeaked by some of the classes I took in college. I may not ever become rich or famous, but I do know one thing: miracles happen everyday. Sometimes in the most unexpected places, something unexplainable happens. No scientist, physicist, or brain surgeon could possibly give a logical reason for why things sometimes happen the way they do.

Never in my life have I experienced anything like what these families go through on a daily basis. But I have witnessed miracles in my own life on much smaller levels. And I know that there are families out there who have looked death in the face and expected the worst only to turn around and see a light at the end of the tunnel. In your darkest hour, don’t give up. Miracles do happen. Why wouldn’t they happen to you?

Elizabeth
Wish Department

This week Danielle heads south to Nashville to visit the Grand Ole Opry. This was such an exciting trip to plan and I had many wonderful sponsors help to make her wish fabulous.

Danielle’s exciting wish includes accommodations at the wonderful Lowes Vanderbilt Hotel, a trip to the Nashville Zoo and even tickets to the Gaylord Opryland Resort to go see “A Country Christmas,” “ICE!” (featuring “A Charlie Brown Christmas”) and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes! Believe it or not, this is not all Danielle will be doing.

In addition to everything else, Danielle and her family will enjoy a lunch cruise on the General Jackson Showboat along with a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame and, last but not least, they will head over to the Ryman Auditorium where they will watch Charlie Daniels perform!!!

I hope you and your family have a “Grand Ole” time in Nashville, Danielle!!!

Vanessa
Wish Coordinator

Living here in Florida you get a little used to the “sunny” weather. Lately, though it’s nearing the middle of November, the weather has maintained that “summery” feel. This distresses me to no end because, though I’m not a fan of cold weather, I would like to feel some crisp fall breezes to at least remind me that “The Season” is nearing.

While these thoughts are swimming (in trunks and sunglasses, no less) in distinctly warm pools at the back of my mind, I am talking to Wish Families who have come down from chilly places like Michigan to enjoy all the theme parks to be had in this state for their kids’ wishes. In our talks, they are constantly telling me how much they LOVE the weather here and how wonderful it was to wear shorts in November. A few families will even mention that they wish they could have brought the “nice Florida weather” back with them to their home states. I wish they had, too. I am very glad that the weather was a great break for them to enjoy their wish trips, but I can still wish for some semblance of fall weather before it freezes, can’t I?

Alicia
Editorial Department

Things are starting to get a little hectic around here. Our big Holiday of Hope party with Jakks Pacific and CDI is less than one month away. I can see a lot of people scrambling around trying to secure last minute details. I know that everyone is working hard to make this party something special for these kids at Shriners in Philadelphia.

I feel good that I was able to contribute something to the event. I was able to get photography and videography donated for the event. I am also in charge of pre and post press for the party. The donors for this event have been wonderful. We have secured so many wonderful things for the kids, and we hope that they have an awesome time.

The party is December 5. Stick around and check back for details and hopefully some great pictures after the event!

Elizabeth
Wish Department

I have been working on a wish for a 16 year old young lady from Pelion, SC named Chelsea. She told me that her biggest dream was to be on a TV show. Chelsea has always wanted to be a star and she was certain this was her number one wish. Chelsea was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, which is a type of lung disease, when she was 7 months old.

A few weeks ago we received a call from the Associate Producer for Gary Unmarried which is a prime time sitcom on CBS. He said he had a small walk on role for Chelsea and invited her to come out to Los Angeles and spend the day at the set.

Chelsea and her mom arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday and spent the next day checking out all the Hollywood Boulevard attractions such as the Wax Museum as well as taking a StarLine tour of the celebrity’s homes. She also spent a little time shopping for a new outfit for her big television debut. Chelsea was very excited and anxious for her day at the studio on Tuesday.

Tuesday morning a stretch limo arrived and chauffeured Chelsea to the studio. After arriving she was given her own special dressing room and invited to attend the rehearsal to be “placed” in her role. We found out that they were shooting a scene at a “roller skating rink” and Chelsea would be involved in the scene as a skater and as a person seen in the background at the roller rink. Later on she was taken into the dressing room to have her hair and makeup done. It was very interesting to see how a TV show is made and all the detail and time that goes into a 30 minute show. We spent more than 10 hours watching them get everything perfect! Chelsea was given the “star treatment” all day and was made to feel very special by all the cast and crew. The episode will be airing in November and Chelsea can’t wait too see herself in it!

Chelsea described her experience as:

“Being on Gary Unmarried was the greatest thing that has ever happened in my life. I had the most amazing time. It’s something I’ll never in my life forget.”

Each week we write a blog that will be posted on our Kids Wish Network blog site. Blogs are usually submitted to our editorial staff on Tuesday by 4:30 pm and today is the big day. I have been sitting here for about 30 minutes trying to figure out what I should share with the world. I started three different stories and erased them all. So I’m back at square one.

First I started writing about the holiday season and how big the need is for children who are sick or whose parents can’t make ends meet. But I didn’t like the way that was going. So it was wiped from the computer screen.

Then I thought, “why don’t I write about some of the recent wishes I wrote press releases for?” So I typed one sentence and my brain froze. It was on to another topic.

My next idea was to write about our Holiday of Hope party I have been helping put together, but I figured since I haven’t gotten much accomplished, I wouldn’t have much to write about. Obviously, there is still some work to be done in that area…

So, here I am. I don’t know if it’s because today is Tuesday, which means that Monday was yesterday and my brain is still not functioning at full capacity, or if I am having a mental reaction to the massive intake of sugar from this past weekend (trick or treating with my 4-year-old cousin), but coming up with a blog has been hard work.

I hope next week I can get it together. Hopefully by Tuesday the fog of Monday will have cleared from my brain and a blog topic will appear!

Elizabeth
Wish Department

It’s so exciting to turn on my computer and find out that an article about one of our wish kids has been published in their local newspaper.

I came in this morning to find an article about Dasha was published and that a reporter working on another story left me an email stating that the article should run this Thursday.

Sometimes it gets frustrating waiting for an article to get published about one of our wish kids, especially when a reporter tells you it will run and you keep checking back and it never appears! But when it FINALLY does, it is a nice reward to see that your hard work pays off. Our wish kids are special and we like for their stories to get out there.

I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I do!

Elizabeth
Wish Department