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

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

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.”

My daughter works with a lady whose perfectly healthy 24-year-old son passed away last week as the result of a terrible automobile accident. He was married and had a young son. With three daughters of my own, I can’t begin to imagine the ultimate loss this woman is going through.

Most of us go through our daily lives and never stop to think about the struggles that so many people are going through. Many of our wish families have a child living with a life-threatening illness each and every day. All my fellow associates here at KWN work very hard to help make these children’s wishes come true and to forget about their illness, if just for a few hours or days while they are on their wish!

As we begin the season of Thanksgiving and the giving and receiving of gifts, let us not forget the most precious gift of all…our children!

Kathleen
Office and Personnel Administrator

I like my desk at Kids Wish Network. I sit right next to the wish coordinators, so I get to hear all the “good stuff.” I always like to hear about what the kids ask for, or what cute things they have to say. I don’t know if I could ever do the job – be a wish coordinator that is – because I think I would get too attached to the kids. But I like getting up close to the wish and hearing all about it. It always makes my day a little brighter!

Elizabeth
Wish Deptartment

Once a month, my colleague and I dedicate a portion of our day to bundling up gift packages which are then shipped to our participating HERO OF THE MONTH facilities. Today was one of “those days” and we managed to keep very busy thanks to the many facilities that sent in their HERO nominations this month. For us, it’s worth all the folding, stuffing, sorting and taping (and paper cuts!) because it means that ONE HUNDRED children will receive their t-shirt, certificate, medal and gift card within the next 24-48 hours. Happy Shopping to all our little HEROES – it’s been our honor to award you with this well-deserved token!

~Susan
HOTM Facility Coordinator

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – A young lady with a life-threatening illness gets the computer of her dreams with a little help from Kids Wish Network and the City of Naperville.

Annie is a young lady with a large store of natural talent. This 16-year-old is a star singer, dancer and actress. She has appeared in the television show “Prison Break,” as well as various commercials and theater productions. Though she really enjoys dancing and acting, Annie’s focus is singing; she sings every single day, whenever she can. Her funny and outgoing personality makes her the perfect camp counselor at a local youth camp for musical theater and she loves to share her interests with everyone.

Just last year, Annie was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which is a cancer of the white blood cells. Four months after her diagnosis, Annie began chemotherapy which took its toll on her energetic nature. Since last year, Annie has had to endure frequent doctor visits, blood tests and various medications.

Once referred to children’s charity, Kids Wish Network, it wasn’t long before Annie was telling Wish Coordinator, Jennifer, all about her wish to have a special MAC Book Pro Laptop that would work wonders in conjunction with her creative personality.

With the help of Wish Funding Specialist Doris, Jennifer worked her “guardian angel magic” and reached out to Annie’s hometown for help granting the teen’s wish and found that everyone wanted to help! The City of Naperville’s Mayor A. George Pradel, the Naperville Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #42, The Rubin Partnership, the Apple Store in Naperville and the Naperville Moose Lodge 1290 , all wanted nothing more than to help make Annie’s dream come true!

With what seemed like the whole City of Naperville pitching in, Annie’s wish came through in true high style: she was presented with a MAC Book Pro 13” LED-backlit Widescreen Notebook along with a green hardshell cover and even a Photosmart C4620 Printer by the City of Naperville’s Mayor A. George Pradel.

According to Mayor Pradel, “We presented a laptop and printer to a very surprised teenager…Annie’s reaction brought joy to the hearts of her family and members involved in the contribution. All of us experienced a sense of happiness in having a small part in fulfilling Annie’s wish.”

For this brave teen, it really was a dream come true, however surprised she was. Annie’s mother, Barbara, said that everything was “just really fabulous and overwhelmingly generous. Thank you all.”

As for Annie, she loves her new MAC Notebook so much that she hardly leaves it. What a wish!

For making Annie’s wish extra special, Kids Wish Network would like to thank: Mayor A. George Pradel and the City of Naperville; Vince Clark, Mike Caruso, Dan Shipanik and the Naperville Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #42; Steve Rubin and The Rubin Partnership; Mike Commancho and the Apple Store of Naperville; and the Naperville Moose Lodge 1290.

Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children. If you know a child between the ages of 3 and 18 who may be in need of its wish granting services, please call 727-937-3600 or toll free 888-918-9004. For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit their website at www.kidswishnetwork.org

I just received the most precious photo of one of my little wish kids, named Jessica. Jessica was diagnosed at birth with DiGeorge Syndrome. DiGeorge is a genetic disorder that includes certain heart defects, effects on facial appearance, and seizure disorders. Jessica is ventilator dependent and had to have a tracheotomy during a surgery. She is not able to speak very much and uses a communication device.

Jessica was recently awarded her own service dog, named Riley. Her condition has greatly improved due to the love that Riley has shown her and the help he has given her in her day to day activities.

Jessica will in fact be taking Riley with her on her wish to Disney’s Magic Kingdom! Have fun, Jessica and Riley!

Jill
Wish Coordinator

OMG! I am so excited to announce that Kids Wish Network has been chosen as the Charity of Choice for CSX! Kids Wish will literally be “Santa’s little helper” while participating in The Santa Train event, and it’s such an honor!

The Santa Train is an annual event that goes through the Appalachian Mountains where volunteers from Kingsport, TN take tons of gifts, toys and food to needy families in Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. Did you know that The Santa Train is the world’s largest Santa Parade, which is 110 miles en route?

I am so honored to be able to part of this huge event. I promise to keep everyone posted as the event draws near, so keep watching for my blogs!!!

Barbara
Director of Distribution

Our Kids Wish Network newsletter will be hitting your inboxes soon. It’s full of new stories about our wish kids, and what’s been going on over here lately. Check out all of our new stories, including pics and videos of some recent wishes. It even has the story of one heroic boy who risked his own life to save another, and was severely wounded in the process. Because of his bravery and quick response to a friend in need, he was awarded Kids Wish Network’s Hero of the Month for the medical facility he was treated at.

There is also a compilation video, which includes the story of Gildiana, our 6-year-old wish kid who has cancer. Her wish was for a shopping spree, and she got to dress up like a princess and take a horse-drawn carriage to the store she chose. It is such a touching story. You won’t want to miss it!

Elizabeth

WINONA, Minnesota – A little boy with a life-threatening illness had the wish of his life with Kids Wish Network.

Seven-year-old Zane was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at the tender age of one. Since then, he’s been completely dependent on other people and devices. Zane is confined to a wheelchair most of the day and must use an alphabet board and a communication device for talking.

While surfing the internet for organizations designed to help children with illnesses, Zane’s mother Amy found the homepage for Kids Wish Network. Once in contact with the organization, it wasn’t long before Amy found herself talking to Wish Coordinator Jill, who soon found out Zane’s only wish: to visit Disney World in Florida.

With the help of Wish Funding Specialist Doris and some outstanding sponsors, Jill arranged to send Zane, his parents and his baby brother on the trip of their lives to the Sunshine State. In addition to supplying them with tickets to every major theme park that Zane could ever want to visit, Jill also organized dinners every night for the family and even secured them a room at the famous Royal Plaza Hotel!

“Oh, it was awesome. He [Zane] was really overwhelmed and speechless. We were all just in awe,” said Amy of the trip as a whole.

Once in Orlando, Zane was happy to be spun silly on Disney’s “Mad Tea Party” ride at the Magic Kingdom, while at Sea World he delighted in the whale and dolphin shows. At the Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, Zane was “just tickled pink” to find that visiting “Seuss Landing” was just like stepping into one of his favorite Dr. Seuss stories. “He loved all of it,” said Amy.

When Zane made it home to Winona, everyone thought that a day of rest would be good for him before heading back to school. Zane, however, wanted to get to school as soon as possible so that he could let EVERYONE know all about his trip!

“We have tons of new memories,” said Amy. “He just wanted to tell everyone all about it!”

Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following for helping to make Zane’s wish extra special: Compassion Partners, WonderWorks, Pirates Dinner Adventure, The Royal Plaza Hotel, Thrifty/Dollar Rent A Car, The Sizzler, Uno Chicago Grill, American Legion Auxiliary Post 9, Jerry and Sue Miller, Merchants Bank, Quinlan Insurance & Financial Services, St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Severson Oil Company, Ticona Polymers Inc. Winona MN, and the Winona Fire Department Relief Fund.

Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children. If you know a child between the ages of 3 and 18 who may be in need of its wish granting services, please call 727-937-3600 or toll free 888-918-9004. For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit their website at www.kidswishnetwork.org<

Today I received a short, but sweet email from one of our families regarding their daughter receiving the Hero of the Month award:

“My name is Berta and I am the proud parent of Lauren. Lauren was chosen as HERO of the MONTH … in September. I would like to personally thank the Kids Wish Network because she was so excited when she received the gift card and the t-shirt. This child has been through so much in her 7 years of living but expresses her gratitude for even the smaller things.

Again, thank you from the Foster family. Your organization has made a small child smile again after such a major surgery.”

It’s responses like these that makes the long days worth while! Good job KWN!!

Margo
HOTM Facility Coordinator

My favorite part of what I do is seeing all these unique wishes come true! It’s the anticipation of getting all those loose ends tied and watching everything finally come together after months of hard work. I’m especially excited for the month of October because it seems like we have lots of children going on their wishes then. I can’t wait to see all those pictures!

Angela
Development 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