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

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

Nothing makes me smile more than a kind heart, a big grin and a great tie!

Yesterday Annie, a Wish Child of Kids Wish Network, received her wish for a Mac Notebook- thanks to Mayor Pradel of Naperville, IL and some other amazing sponsors. Annie, who has been battling Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, couldn’t contain her smiles during the presentation.

Enjoy your Notebook, Annie!

I hope that it helps you to reach your artistic potential!

Jennifer
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

The work that is done here at Kids Wish Network is, in my opinion, some of the most important work there is. While we work hard day after day, we can’t always do everything on our own. We need your help!

We often reach out to the community for help with different aspects of our wishes – press, participation, fundraising and donations. While we know that you may not always be able to help out, it would help us a lot of we could just get a response from you. Please take a few minutes to return our phone calls and e-mails and let us know that you did receive the information but are unable to help or participate at this time. We are very persistent here; if we don’t hear back, we’ll keep calling!

A big thank you goes out to those who do respond to our inquiries. Thank you very much for taking the time out of your day to listen to us. Because of your help, some very deserving children have gotten the wishes of their lives and others have gotten to take part in a monthly celebration that focuses on them and not their situation. It’s because of you and these kids that we keep doing what we do.

And keep picking up the phone again and again…

Margo
HOTM Facility Coordinator