Even though we work with children who have life-threatening illnesses on a daily basis, Kids Wish Network has an upbeat atmosphere and a team of individuals who love to laugh. Our team will find a bright side to every challenge. Can you imagine being able to positively impact the lives of hundreds of children and their families? Can you imagine the joy of seeing a child swim with dolphins when that child lives in a wheelchair? Can you imagine how it can warm your heart to see a precious little one dress up as a princess and ride in a horse-drawn carriage to her shopping spree destination? Can you imagine being able to provide a hot tub for a little boy with the most progressive form of muscular dystrophy? If you can imagine these things, then you will understand that Kids Wish Network is not only about wishes but also about balloons, rainbows, butterflies and fairy tales.

Donna
Development Department

A little over a year ago I was hired to work in the distribution department for Kids Wish Network. Upon taking my post and learning all the new challenges that were laid before me, I was excited to be able to be part of something that was so inspiring.

After getting familiar with Kids Wish Network and all that we do here to help children, I was inspired so deeply and moved by the many heart warming stories that I challenged myself to do whatever I could to help these children in need. Getting up for work every morning was not about being a single mother and making sure all the bills were paid but became a personal mission for me to make sure that I did everything possible to help in any way I could to see that these deserving kids got everything that they needed and more.

Then, all of the sudden last week, I found myself sitting on the other side of the fence when my oldest son was diagnosed with a tissue mass found growing from his Thymus. Not all of the details have been determined yet. Waiting and worrying are the worst when you are trying to find out how bad it is going to be.

Is it cancer? What am I going to do? My son is an adult but it doesn’t matter from a mother’s point of view. I found myself thinking about all of those stories of the children we have helped and the families that have had to endure all the trials and tribulations that go along with having a sick child. I would like to personally thank each and every child along with their family members for sharing their children and their lives with us. They have given me the strength and the will not to give up and to keep on going no matter what. They have taught me over the last year that perseverance is everything. Furthermore, the staff here at Kids Wish are the most kindest compassionate people I know. They are not just my co-workers, they are my friends. It’s not just because of my circumstances that I have come to realize this. Its always been this way. They always support one another and truly care about these children and their families, just the same as they have shown me. Just a reminder: life gets busy, things get crazy, but don’t forget about your kids. Hug them and tell them you love them everyday. Encourage them regardless of circumstances to be strong individuals and to give of themselves unselfishly.

Heather
Distribution Department

I am so excited to be part of the local gift bank program that we do here at Kids Wish Network. This is my second Holiday Season that I am preparing for with local facilities that house homeless and abused children. The need for toys and items for them is tremendous this year and Kids Wish Network will be able to spread the joy of the season to many children who might not even have a chance to have a holiday.

It is a wonderful feeling to get up every day knowing that I have the chance to bring a smile to a hurting child’s face or to give someone hope. It’s a privilege to be able to work alongside my awesome co-workers and do what we do everyday!!

Heather
Distribution Department

I just got off the phone with a parent of one of our potential wish kids here at Kids Wish Network who was so excited about the prospect of getting a wish granted for her daughter. She was on the verge of tears at even the thought of her daughter getting her wish.

It is always nice to talk to someone who truly appreciates the work that we do here and all the effort everyone puts in to make each wish for each child really special. Every now and then a wish family goes above and beyond to make you feel like your job is important, and that you are important to them. This was one of those calls.

I am grateful for so many things in my life, and being able to work at a job that makes a difference is definitely one of those things.

~Elizabeth
Wish Department

PALM HARBOR, Fla. – To support national charities Kids Wish Network and the Ulman Cancer Fund, local marathon runner Joel Wonicker-Cook ran 40 miles over the Labor Day weekend.

Not only did he run 40 miles for his 40th birthday, he also ran it for the charities in the sweltering heat of a summer day in Florida.

All of Palm Harbor man Joel Wonicker-Cook’s friends thought that he was crazy, but he has almost accomplished his goal and everyone is now applauding his efforts.

According to Joel, “We had an absolutely great day Saturday, beginning at 4:00am at Lansbrook Lakefront Park where a few hearty souls joined me on my odyssey. Kym Rivellini, who turned 40 years old herself September 4th, joined me for the entire 40 miles. Throughout the day, I had more than 25 running and riding partners and I truly wouldn’t have made it without them. As Kym and I noted to each other, ‘I get by with a little help from my friends…’

The first 20 miles clicked off like a metronome, with little challenge and not much suffering. The halfway point however was playing tricks on me. At that point, I began to have some stomach discomfort and my feet began to be uncomfortable. At the lap 5 rest stop, Kym handed me a banana, and it seemed to do wonders. The last two laps were much better.

Much better doesn’t mean easy. While most of the course was shaded, the sun was brutal along a one mile stretch of East Lake Road. We had to walk that stretch. Once we reached the mile 4 marker, we knew we had it in the bag and kicked up the pace. With help and support from so many friends, I crossed the finish line in a dead sprint; Kym finished a minute back to break the tape in triumph as well.”

His ultimate goal for this 40 mile run was to raise $4,040 for both Kids Wish Network and the Ulman Cancer Fund.

Kids Wish Network is a locally based national charity that grants the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses. They are also a longtime client of Joel’s company, Vertical IT Solutions. Through this relationship, he’s been able to witness the wishes the charity has granted and the smiles they have spread all across the country. He wanted to help.

Though the race itself is over, Joel is still not done with helping his two charities of choice. Through the fundraising for the event, Joel almost reached his $4,040 goal, but he’s not quite there yet and he’s certainly not sitting this one out.

“We’ve just about reached our fundraising goal,” he says. “If you’d like to help us cross this finish line, please visit http://www.4040run/charities.html.”

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

What a week! We received so much awesome merchandise! Thank you so much to all of our “Guardian Angel” donors! Of course, it goes back out the door as fast as it comes in, but that’s the way it should be. It’s all about the kids!!!

I can admit it. I used to have a HUGE fear of making phone calls. For some reason, I was intimidated by the voice on the other end of the line. I was scared to make important calls, even scared to order pizzas…

When I interviewed for the position here at Kids Wish Network, I wasn’t aware that I would be making as many phone calls as I do on a daily basis. And I am glad that I didn’t. If I had known the amount of time I would be spending on the phone each day, I would have never accepted the job, and I would have missed out on a really awesome experience, and the opportunity to face my fear and to conquer it.

Part of my job here requires me to call people all across the country for various reasons. I call potential wish families, families who are in the wish application process, doctors’ offices, hospitals, and social workers: all complete strangers who less than two months ago would have intimidated me to the point of no return. But now, with probably close to 1 thousand phone calls under my belt I find that my former fear of the phone has vanished, arming me with the ability to dial numbers without any apprehension.

I guess that my fear stemmed from the thought of speaking to someone who would yell at me, or making me feel stupid. I am certainly not the confrontational type, and I usually go out of my way to avoid a skirmish of any sort. Working at Kids Wish Network, I have found that probably 99.9 percent of the people I interact with during my daily phone calls are not only nice, but are genuinely pleased to speak with me. Having a friendly voice on the line is always a bright spot in anyone’s day, and even more so for an intimidated, recently graduated college student.

So here is a thank you to all the friendly voices out there who have given me the courage to conquer my fear and become victorious in dialing digits!

Elizabeth

Writing press releases for Kids Wish Network is a lot of fun. I get to interview families who have just been able to see their child’s wish come true, and they are so grateful and happy for what was given to them.

I recently interviewed a mom whose daughter’s wish was to go on a dolphin swim in the Florida Keys. She said her daughter had a wonderful time, and had “squeals of delight” when the dolphin swam with her. She also said that her daughter felt so special because everywhere she went people knew her name and were generally interested in her.

It is always nice when I hear how happy these families are, and to know that I helped to make a difference in their lives. I love hearing all the wonderful things they have to say about the wish, and how thankful they are that they found Kids Wish Network.

~Elizabeth

Ta’Kiyah,a 12-year-old girl who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2007, made a special trip to the White House to meet President Obama thanks to the help of Kids Wish Network.

Prior to her diagnosis, Ta’Kiyah used to complain about having headaches. She was taken to the hospital by her Aunt Cherie, and doctors discovered a malignant tumor on her brain. Ta’Kiyah spent about seven months in the hospital, and underwent chemotherapy to treat the tumor. She is currently in remission.

When a friend at the City Council of Dover told Cherie about Kids Wish Network, a nationally recognized non-profit organization that grants wishes to children with life threatening illnesses, Cherie was excited about the prospect of having a wish granted for her niece. Together with the help of Wish Coordinator Madeline, Wish Funding Specialist Megan, and some very special sponsors, Ta’Kiyah was on her way to the nation’s capital. A limo ride, hotel stay at the beautiful Hotel Adams—where President Obama stayed prior to the inauguration—dinner at the Hard Rock Café, a trip to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and a trip to southern style restaurant Georgia Brown’s were also included in Ta’Kiyah’s wish.

“Kids Wish Network is a great place,” said Cherie. “They did all they could to make Ta’Kiyah’s wish come true.”

Ta’Kiyah wanted to visit President Obama, because she wanted to ask him how it feels to be living in the White House; but her nerves got the best of her.

“I kept covering my eyes. I wasn’t crying. My eyes were just watery that day,” she said.

Cherie said that Ta’Kiyah was so nervous when she saw President Obama, but he told her, “Ta’Kiyah, you can take your hands off your eyes. It’s going to be OK.”

“When he told her it was going to be OK, she calmed down a little, little bit,” Cherie said. “He took the time to embrace her.”

Ta’Kiyah said her favorite part of the whole trip was shaking President Obama’s hand and dinner at the Hard Rock Café where she was made into a rock star. She also brought a scrapbook to show the president, with photos, special certificates and her report card.

“I was very impressed. He really took his time and looked at every picture and asked her what each picture represented,” said Cherie. “Thumbs up to everybody who made this possible for Ta’Kiyah.”

Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following for helping to make Ta’Kiyah’s wish come true: Dover Masonic Lodge, Open Arms Baptist Church, People’s United Church of Dover, The White House and President Obama, Hay Adams Hotel, Hard Rock Café, Camelot Limousine Services, Georgia Brown’s, Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the National Park service.

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. Aside from granting wishes, Kids Wish Network also has several other programs which benefit children’s care facilities. 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 us at http://www.kidswishnetwork.org