Yesterday, my fellow development diva Melissa told me about a woman from Michigan who wanted to help children from her home state, so I gathered all the information on the children I’m working on in Michigan. To my surprise, I discovered that I have 10 children there and I sent her all the information about each child’s wish.

Within the hour the wonderful “Michigan Guardian Angel” called me and wanted to know all she could about each child. She was so nice; I could tell she had a big heart. She wanted so badly to help each child with their wish.

What happened next was probably one of the biggest surprises I’ve had since I’ve worked at Kids Wish Network. This wonderful “Michigan Angel” gave a portion of her donation to each child’s wish. This means that every wish child I have who lives in Michigan will receive help from this very special lady.

I talk to our Guardian Angels quite often and they’re wonderful people, but this lady was so amazing that I could barely speak when I hung up the phone! I hope she knows just how special she is and that she’s bringing happiness and lasting memories to the children she helped!

So, because of this, I want to say a very special thank you to this very special lady from Michigan – it is a huge help to so many children!

Megan
Development Diva

I was recently honored to be able to work on a wish for a very special young man named Cody, who is a true survivor. Cody lives in NY and was diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s disease at birth. This is a nasty disease that involves a blockage of the large intestine. Cody is 10-years-old and has had 101 surgeries to date. Cody does not let his illness get him down or break his spirit. He describes himself as an outdoorsman who loves adventure.

Cody’s only wish was to meet his hero Bear Grylls from Discovery Channel’s Man vs. Wild. After contacting Discovery Channel, I was put in touch with the person who could arrange this meeting. We were told that Mr. Grylls would be in Los Angeles the first part of December. We arranged for Cody and his family to fly out to Hollywood and for Cody to be treated like the star he is.

Finally, the morning of the meeting arrived and Cody was anxious to meet Bear. We were escorted to a private room and pretty soon we heard Bear yelling down the hallway “Cody, where are you?” Cody was so excited he yelled back, “I’m in here!” Soon, Cody and Bear became great friends and spent about an hour chatting and getting to know each other. Bear brought Cody a special Man vs. Wild book and personally autographed it for him as they reminisced about pictures of the show in the book. Cody impressed Bear with his complete and detailed memory of each episode. Cody also brought a special “throwing star” that he made for Bear; this “star” is a tool that you use in the wilderness. Bear was very touched and asked Cody to autograph it for him. Cody also shared his story of survival with Bear by showing him a touching album of photos of his different surgeries and important milestones in his life. At the end of the meeting Cody gave his hero a big hug and promised to stay in touch. I think that in giving Cody his greatest wish, Bear was himself blessed beyond words.

Jill
Wish Department

I watched the special on CSX’s Santa Train that aired on Great American Country over the weekend and it was amazing. If you haven’t seen it yet, I suggest you do.

I am extremely proud to say that Kids Wish Network was a part of this wonderful endeavor to help the children and families in the Appalachian Mountains. I am especially proud of Ashley, who was lucky enough to have been the KWN representative on the Santa Train. She did an amazing job helping out and putting a very happy face to the KWN name; in fact, everyone involved with the Santa Train did an awesome job.

There is nothing quite like that special feeling you get when you know that something you’ve done has gone towards helping children; with the Santa Train, over 5,000 children were given something to smile about for the holiday season when they might have had nothing. We at Kids Wish Network are very proud to have been a part of this event.

Shelley Breiner
Executive Director

This is my wish kid Kira telling Santa what she wants for Christmas! By the look on his face, I’d guess that she wanted a whole closet full of clothes and accessories for her little Lhasa Apso pup, Sammy!

I hope that all of you enjoy happy holidays this season.

Jen
Wish Department

I’d just like to welcome Jill, our new internet researcher. She’s getting some really great information for our wish funding specialists and is well on her way to becoming a real “Development Diva”! We’re glad to have you, Jill! Welcome to the team!

Melissa
Development Department

The term “corporate greed” has been used in abundance this past year. It’s impossible to pick up a newspaper, magazine or scan a website without reading/hearing about selfish, swindling Executives whose gluttonous actions and decisions have resulted in the massive downward spiral of our economy.

ATTENTION all cynics, pessimists, skeptics and untrusting citizens out there (and yes, I was one of them before this weekend!)… THERE ARE LOTS of good, generous and big-hearted people in this world, and many of them reside and work in the Philadelphia area!

Our ‘assignments’ commenced about 2 months ago when the trifecta of Kids Wish Network, Shriners Hospitals for Children – Philadelphia, and JAKKS Pacific/CDI (who donated a mind-boggling $100,000 worth of toys) agreed to coordinate a HOLIDAY OF HOPE celebration the first weekend in December. With fingers crossed, my colleagues and I contacted various vendors, dialing, emailing and faxing potential sponsors in search of donations. Our wish list included: a DJ, face painter, clowns, balloon artists, food, drinks, decorations, games and anything else that would lend itself to a “party atmosphere” for these 250 deserving children (Shriners patients and their often neglected siblings). We divvied up the categories – my “partner in crime” was in charge of obtaining entertainment while I tackled food & beverages.

I’m not good at asking for things – money, items, rides… so this task was certainly a challenge! Unfortunately, there were a number of companies who never returned my calls and emails despite my persistent ways. Others politely declined; their charitable dollars had been depleted for the year, their funds were allocated to other philanthropic causes, and/or their company had taken a financial hit. I learned quickly not to take these ‘rejections’ personally, and moved on to the next phone call.

The HOLIDAY OF HOPE celebration took place this past Saturday (December 5th – a date that will remain with me for a long time) on a gray, wintry afternoon at 3551 North Broad Street.

The first sponsor to walk in the door was APPLEBEE’S (2501 Aramingo Avenue). Lester Franklin and his hospitable team arrived pre-event to prep/cook 120 lunches for our volunteers who generously relinquished part of their weekend to assist us and “spread the joy”. Speaking of volunteers, they all donned HOLIDAY OF HOPE t-shirts (reflecting the names of ALL our wonderful sponsors) thanks to J.P. TEE’S, INC.

As the event approached, more and more vendors arrived, bundled up from the snow that had just started falling. It was a family affair for PEACE A PIZZA (1652 Chestnut Street) as Ron Baban and his daughter marched in with 15 piping hot pies, and CHICK-FIL-A reinforced their infamous “Eat Mor Chikin” slogan by serving 1,200 chicken nuggets.

And since this is (was!) Philadelphia, a party just wouldn’t be a party without… cheesesteaks! Many thanks to both DALESSANDRO’S STEAKS AND HOAGIES (600 Wendover Street) and JAKE’S PHILADELPHIA CHEESESTEAKS (16th Street & Chestnut Street) for delivering mouth-watering sandwiches Philly-style! Also joining in the celebration was TAYLOR’S BAR AND GRILL (Cherry Hill, NJ) who donated French fries for the families to enjoy.

I first read about Kate Carrara a/k/a BUTTERCREAM CUPCAKE LADY, on www.philly.com, and was fascinated by this career changer’s story – a former attorney who now sells homemade treats from a truck that makes stops throughout Center City. Kate was one of the first sponsors to confirm her attendance without hesitation. We had presented the idea of a Make-Your-Own-Cupcake Station – and Kate not only delivered the concept, but the cupcakes!!! ..And while we’re on the subject of cakes, let’s not forget the amazing “Aces of Cakes”-like sheet cake donated by THE RESTAURANT SCHOOL AT WALNUT HILL COLLEGE. The chefs and students outdid themselves this year (they also donated in 2006) and we can’t thank them enough!

And to top of the onslaught off sugar-y snacks, TASTYKAKE also joined us again this year, donating over 300 scrumptious mini chocolate cakes for the children. Let’s just say that Marie-Antoinette would have been proud!

And finally, special thanks to the Mom & Daughter team (Sharon & KaLitha) at SHARON’S BALLOONS, who created a magnificent, eye-catching balloon arch that rose high above the room for all to see. CIRCUS TIME AMUSEMENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT (Pennsauken, NJ) donated several carnival-style games which the children loved!

As cliché as it sounds, these participating sponsors truly went ‘above and beyond’ and we could not have executed this very special event without their products, resources and smiling employees, a validation that the holiday spirit is overflowing in the City of Brotherly Love!

~Susan
HOTM Facility Coordinator

This past weekend was probably one of the best weekends I have ever had. A team from KWN headed north to Philadelphia to host a Holiday of Hope party at the Shriners Hospitals for Children. After months of planning, we finally got to see everything come together and it couldn’t have gone any better!

Hundreds of children traveled to the hospital to spend the afternoon dancing with Spongebob and Elmo and feasted on pizza, cheese steaks, cake and more!

The best part of the afternoon was standing back and just watching – watching the kids smiling and watching the parents watching their kids. These kids had been through so much with their treatments and therapies but you could just look at their faces and see those worries were the farthest things from their mind. They were laughing and playing and enjoying what they do best – just being a kid.

Our vendors were great also! This weekend wouldn’t have been possible without them. Since they were so gracious to donate their time, I didn’t want them to feel they had to stay around any longer than they had already committed to. But when the time came for the party to end no one was ready to stop! The DJ (Cutting Edge Entertainment) kept spinning tunes; the face painter and air brush tattoo artist (Natalie Foxhill – Amazing Face Painting and Beth Miller – Creations by Beth) still had a line and kept right on working with smiles! Everyone was great!

Events like this are such a special time for KWN. If we are able to distract the kids for even a few hours and make sure they enjoy themselves, all the planning and stressing on our part was well worth it!

Margo
HOTM Facility Coordinator

There is such a variety when it comes to what these children want for their wishes. There’s a girl who wants a zebra striped room with red accents, a boy who got a log cabin playhouse, the little girl who wanted only to buy things for her Lhasa Apso, the boy who wanted to go back in time to see dinosaurs (he went to the Smithsonian), the girl who wants to hunt ghosts, the boy who wants to visit Yellowstone…the list goes on. I just love hearing what these kids want. It makes me feel a little like one of Santa’s elves, listening in to what the kids are telling Santa. It’s a magical feeling.

Alicia
Editorial Department

Our Holiday of Hope party at Shriners Hospitals for Children-Philadelphia was awesome! When everyone got in Monday morning, they all had wonderful things to say about the event.

I am excited that I got to be a part of the party. Although I didn’t get to attend, I was definitely there in spirit! I helped acquire a few donations for the event and also helped out with some table tents that were displayed on the tables. I thought about all the ladies that went and wondered how they were doing and how it was going. I have to say that I am a little jealous because while the team from Kids Wish Network was up in Philly, it snowed! I bet it was beautiful!

I am so happy that the party was a success and that all the kids enjoyed their time. There was so much work and planning that went in to this event, and in the end, if the kids are happy, it is all worth it!

Elizabeth
Wish Department

Kids Wish Network is so excited about doing another Holiday of Hope party at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. It’s going to be a great time for all of the kids at the hospital. Each child and their siblings will receive lots of toys. We’ll have a DJ, party food, games, and contests. We may even have a few surprise guests! The Holiday of Hope parties are always a big success. It’s amazing to see the faces of the children as they walk into the party. We’re just in the planning stages, but I’ll keep you posted as we get closer. Stay tuned!

Madeline
Wish Department

Though I don’t like getting up early in the morning, I know I must. C’est la vie, right? Right.

I’m not really awake until I arrive here at Kids Wish Network headquarters, get buzzed in the door and the neon lights shine their luminescence into my squinting eyes.

Once I blink a little bit, I can see the same happy faces in frames that have lined the walls since the day I was interviewed for this position. As you go down the hallways here, you are greeted by dozens of smiles surrounded by all sorts of happy children. Some are at Disney World, some are hugging their favorite celebrities, some in a new pool or hot tub and some are just smiling up at a camera from in front of a brand new computer or game system.

Honestly, I don’t get tired of seeing them all. Who could? I still find myself looking into these smiling young visages every single day as I traipse through the corridors and cracking a smile of my own, knowing that these are the faces of wishes granted.

~Alicia
Editorial Department

You’d think that writing press releases in a place that is constantly buzzing with talk would be difficult. Oddly enough, I don’t find that to be true!

In college it was different. I couldn’t write with any sort of noise or I’d get all flustered. Here, it’s welcome! Maybe it’s because the work I was doing for school was something that I saw as a chore, whereas here it’s a joy.

I like writing while hearing the the buzz of people around me go about their daily calls. It’s a very heartwarming feeling to know that everyone around me is working diligently to grant the wishes of children that I’ve written or read the web stories for.

So keep on talking, ladies and gentlemen! I like the hustle and bustle of vocalizations going on around here. You’re getting it done! Woo!

~Alicia
Editorial Department

Many people ask what our most common wish request is. Well, it’s probably no surprise that many of our kids want to visit the Florida Theme Parks.

In fact, it accounts for 38% of the wishes we grant!  It’s a great vacation for the entire family that includes airfare, accommodations, a car rental, tickets to several major Florida theme parks including Disney World, Universal and Sea World, meals and spending money.

We have hundreds of wonderful sponsors in the Orlando area who help us make these special wishes come true. They all deserve our thanks, but there are definitely a few that have reached the pinnacle of giving and deserve an extra big thank you. When you are in the Orlando area, look for our certificates and plaques on the walls of many restaurants, hotels, and attractions. You can be proud to know that you are supporting a business with heart.

Airtran flies many of our families to their Florida dream vacation at no charge to us. They are our “Guardian Angels” of the skies!

The beautiful Royal Plaza Hotel in the Walt Disney World Resort graciously hosts a great majority of our families each year. Not only do they provide them with deluxe accommodations, every family is treated like royalty from the moment they arrive. They may even find a few surprises in their rooms!

Every one of our families is treated to a wonderful time at Wonderworks, an amazing hands-on museum that the kids just love! Here they can try on a real space suit, landing the space shuttle in a simulator or even experiencing an earthquake! Check out the wonder of it all if you are in town!

We always end our wishes with a celebratory dinner at a really fun, themed dinner show – Pirates Dinner Adventure! The food is really yummy and our wish kids are always picked to be in the show! The kids have a swashbuckling good time and it’s a great way to end their special vacation.

It’s no wonder that visits to the Florida Theme Parks are our most popular wishes!

So, if you are lucky enough to find yourself in the Orlando area, please patronize these great businesses and thank them for all they do to help our kids. Without them, we would not be able to do what we do.

Madeline
Wish Department