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I just got a phone call from a gentleman in TN. It was such a joy to speak with him about our Hero and Gift Bank programs! You could just hear the excitement in his voice and he couldn’t wait to join!! It really is a great feeling when you connect with other people across the country who enjoy doing the same thing you do – making one more child’s day just a little bit better!
Even on a stormy Florida day like today, I just love hearing all the sunny people here at Kids Wish Network headquarters. Despite the thunderclaps that punctuate phone calls to newspaper offices, sponsors, hospitals and wish kids, everyone is just doing a fantastic job. I see smiles everywhere and bright attitudes that are even outshining the sun at the moment. It’s a great feeling and I just wanted everyone to know the joy I always witness here.
~Alicia
Editorial Dept.
It has been about one month since I have started working at Kids Wish Network. When I graduated from college I never thought I would be working for a wish granting organization, but I have to say that I am enjoying my experience here.
My official title is Wish Referral Specialist/Writer, and I have had the pleasure of getting many applications sent out and started, as well as writing a few press releases and stories about our wish kids. I feel like I am contributing to something important every time I pick up the phone and dial a parent’s number.
It always amazes me when I hear the illnesses that some of these kids have: Leukemia, Duchene’s Muscular Dystrophy, Spina Bifida, heart problems, and so many more. It makes me realize that if these kids can go through what they have to endure on a daily basis, my problems are basically non-existent.
My goal upon graduating college was to get employed at a newspaper or magazine where I could gain experience and expand my personal portfolio, but I ended up here, at Kids Wish Network. And it feels nice to say that I am contributing to a greater cause than the expansion of my portfolio!
Wow!
Imagine being 12-years-old and having a private audience with the President of the United States. That is exactly what happened to Ta’Kiyah, a sweet little girl from Dover, DE. Ta’Kiyah’s presidential wish was granted by Kids Wish Network.
Ta’Kiyah was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor and has endured months of hospital stays, chemotherapy and doctor visits.
Her wish started off in style as she was picked up at her home in Dover in a limousine courtesy of Camelot Limousine Service and driven to Washington D.C. where she was welcomed by the attentive staff at the 5-star Hay Adams Hotel. She loved how the staff greeted her by name every day and the surprises that they would leave in her room each night. She was thrilled when she learned that this was the same hotel that the Obama family stayed in prior to the inauguration.
That night she was made an “official rock star” at the Hard Rock Cafe. She was mesmerized by all of the memorabilia and the D.J. played all of her favorite music.
The next day was fraught with emotions. Ta’Kiyah was nervous as she headed over to the White House. As she waited in the Oval Office Lobby, her emotions began to get the best of her. Finally, the time had come. She stood, covering her eyes and trepiditiously made her way around the corner. President Obama stood there waiting for her but Ta’Kiyah’s feet wouldn’t move! President Obama kindly told her to uncover her eyes and approach him. “Ta’kiyah, put your hands down, it’s going to be ok”, he coaxed. Slowly, she approached him and he shook her hand and then warmly embraced her, telling her there was nothing to be nervous about.
He took her into his office as Ta’Kiyah’s aunt looked on with tears in her eyes as well. Ta’Kiyah shared her scrapbook filled with personal pictures and mementos. President Obama was impressed with the numerous scholastic accolades that Ta’Kiyah had received and with her personal struggles with cancer. He gave her a beautiful Presidential coin and Ta’Kiyah reciprocated with a Kids Wish Network Guardian Angel Coin.
Later, Ta’Kiyah beamed with happiness about her experience. She said it was the best day of her life and, “That I wasn’t crying, my eyes were just watery that day!”
Madeline
Wow! I just had the honor of putting together a wish for the sweetest little boy! Mikey may only be 4 years old, but he has more NASCAR knowledge than most adult fans.
Mikey’s only wish was to meet Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and once again Dale, Jr. didn’t disappoint. Thanks to the Dale Jr. Foundation and Go Daddy.com, Mikey had the best weekend of his life! He not only got to meet his hero and share some time bonding at Dale’s mobile home; Mikey and his mom were VIP guests in the GoDaddy.com / Dale, Jr. Foundation Hospitality tent at the Darlington Raceway Southern 500 Race. As a surprise, Mikey also got to meet Dale’s racing partner, Brad Keselowski and WWE Diva/Go Daddy.com spokesperson, Candice Michelle. GoDaddy even furnished tickets to the race for Mikey and his family.
However, the best part of his wish was undoubtedly the special time that Mikey spent with his hero, Nascar Superstar, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Mikey and Dale bonded with talk about cars and Mikey gave Dale a Guardian Angel coin for luck. The best moment of all came when Dale got up to leave and Mikey hugged him exclaiming “I love you Dale, Jr.”, Dale reached down, patted Mikey on the back and told him, “I love you too, buddy”. Thank you Dale, for caring enough to make Mikey’s dream so special. A true American Hero, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
Recently we were able to help make a young girl’s wish of going to “American Idol” come true. I began working on Elena’s wish in September of ’08. Elena is from Champaign, Illinois and has a condition known as Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy. When I interviewed her she expressed her love for “American Idol” and especially Paula Abdul. She told me she wanted to go see the show and too meet Paula. I began working with American Idol to make her wish come true.
Last week Elena’s wish came true! She and her family were flown to Los Angeles, where they were greeted at the airport by a chauffeur in a stretch limousine and taken to the luxury SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills to begin a three day Hollywood adventure that included being able to attend a live “American Idol” show as members of the audience. Elena brought a present for Paula and was even able to give it to her and to tell Paula how much she loved her. Paula responded with a big hug and kiss for Elena and the rest of her family! After the show was over Elena and her family were escorted up to a room where all the contestants were waiting to meet her. She and her family were able to converse with all of them and ask lots of questions. Afterward they all autographed shirts and photos for Elena as well as taking lots of photos with her. I’m sure this is an experience that Elena will never forget!
We had the pleasure of granting the wish of a lifetime to a little girl a little while back. Her parents recently sent us a letter telling us what a great time she had on her princess vacation:
3-year-old Olivia, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, didn’t let her illness stop her from having the time of her life at Disney World! Olivia recently returned from her wish with smiles from ear to ear. She and her family visited many of the theme parks and of course all the princesses. It was such an honor planning this trip for such a precious little girl.
-Vanessa
Wish Coordinator
Here’s a lovely note we received from her parents:
We want to thank you and the Kids Wish Network for the best time of our lives. Olivia enjoyed every part of the trip. Some of the things she liked the most was the escalators at the airport, when the 
airplanes were landing, the plays and performances at Disney, meeting the princesses and being made into a princess at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique was the highlight of her trip as well as it was for us. Thank you again for everything.
Tony,Teri,Cameron
and Princess Olivia
Next, was on to the Private tour of the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor with the San Diego Chargers Cheerleading Squad. “Needless to say, Charles loved being the center of attention with the Charger Cheerleaders and I think he still has a smile on his face.”
From there they headed to the NFL Pro Bowl All Star Block Party Waikiki on Kalakaua Avenue. Here they watched some NFL players on stage doing interviews and interacting with the crowd.
Then it was on to NFL Tailgate Party. There were different tents with food and entertainment to reflect the 20’s, 30’s 50’s 80’s, 90’s, and 00. Charles and his mom interacted with the NFL mascots as well as got autographs and took pictures with the Pro Bowl Cheerleaders. Charles also got to get a few autographs with some other NFL players that were there to watch the Pro Bowl.
Finally, Charles arrived at the Pro-Bowl where he watched his favorite team (NFC) win the game! Charles was ecstatic when he caught one of the gloves thrown into the stands by an NFC player that was worn during the game!
Vanessa
Wish Department
Brandon had the time of his life visiting Chuck Norris’s Ranch. While at his ranch, Chuck took Brandon on a tour of his entire ranch. Brandon also got to ride Chuck’s horses and eat lunch with him. Chuck’s kindness was so immense; he even gave Brandon a pair of his cowboy boots. Giddy up Brandon!
-Vanessa
Caitlyn couldn’t wait for her fantasy to become reality. While Caitlyn and her family chose to drive to Disney World for her wish, they first they stopped at Cocoa Beach where Caitlyn experienced the ocean for the first time. They relaxed for a bit and Caitlyn was so excited to dip her feet in the water.
Continuing on their journey, she and her family visited many of the Disney World theme parks. She also met and received many autographs from different Disney Characters. Furthermore, Caitlyn received her ultimate makeover at her favorite place, the Bibbidy Bobbidy Boutique in Disney World. They made her into the princess that she is! 
-Vanessa
Wish Coordinator
Drew couldn’t wait to make some noise on his new drum set!
-Vanessa
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)
In the past month I have had three wishes that we consider “rush” wishes. These wishes have to be done very quickly due to the condition of the children’s health. These wishes are very intense because instead of the 45-60 day lead time we have just a few weeks or sometimes just a few days to plan the whole wish from beginning to end.
In the beginning of December I accompanied a young man, named Brandon from West Columbia, SC with Duchenne Muscular Dystropy to attend a WWE Wrestling event and meet his favorite wrestlers in Charleston, SC. The WWE arranged this meeting for Brandon. Allen from Carolina Wheelchair Getaways arranged for Brandon to have a wheelchair van delivered to his house. Mt. Pleasant Shuttle donated transportation for the wish coordinator to and from the airport. The Renaissance Charleston donated two lovely rooms for our stay. There were many more local businesses who contributed to make this wish memorable for Brandon.
Mid December I put a wish together for a little girl, named Elise from Cypress, TX.
Her condition is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and her only wish was to go to Disney World and meet the princesses. Thanks to the Regal Sun Resort for coming to our rescue on such short notice. Not only did they provide a room for the family but they arranged for presents for Elise and her siblings! They also arranged for her to have a character breakfast while on her stay.
Late December I received another rush wish for a young man, named Tom from Mills River, NC. Tom has osteosarcoma and his number one wish was to go on a deep sea fishing trip in the Florida Keys. With less than a week notice, Captain Jimmie Gagliardini of High Caliber Sport Fishing Charters and Captain Dan Duimstra of Shark River Charters both agreed to take Tom and his family on two offshore fishing trips!
The Ocean Reef Club of Key Largo arranged for his hotel stay and many local restaurants provided dinners for the family. Alamo of Miami donated a car for the family and the day after Christmas, Tom’s wish was coming true!
I just want to say thanks to all our sponsors without whom none of this would have been possible! We can’t say enough good things about you and how you care for our kids! Have a very Happy New Year!
Jill (Wish Department)
I love getting pictures from my Wish Kids!
Here is Kim and her brother just ‘goofing’ around 
Jenn (Wish Department)
Every month we really enjoy seeing the pictures of our hero kids as they receive their packages, the looks on their faces are priceless and makes our job very rewarding! I want to say thank you to the facilities who participate in our hero of the month program, it is such a pleasure working with you all.
Deanna (Hero of the Month – Wish Department)
