Sometimes my job at Kids Wish Network is tough and it can also be heartbreaking. Everyday we face the fact that our wish kids are suffering from life-threatening illnesses, and it’s only natural that it can take an emotional toll on all of us.

However, there are little things Kids Wish Network does to lift its employees spirits when they’re a little low. In our department we do little things and it’s kind of a rule: we dance and shake our “groove things” when we get really good news from a sponsor – we celebrate every donation and this helps keep our spirits high so we can do the best job possible for our wish kids! After all, every donation puts us one step closer to fulfilling a child’s wish!

And, the “Development Divas” also praise each other through the roof and that puts a bit of joy in our hearts. Another thing is our great Morale Committee (it’s actually just Kathleen) brings us delicious treats every Friday and that really helps boost our morale after a rough week. And Kathleen, I mean our Morale Committee, also plans special lunches where everyone makes their favorite recipes to share!

But, it’s not just treats and dances and shaking our groove things that bring us up when we’re feeling down – we also love reading stories about our wish kids and seeing their photos with huge smiles on their faces and those are the best “pick-me-ups” to get us through the tough times!

Megan
“Development Diva”

I am always amazed at just how many wonderful donors we have at Kids Wish Network. They’re always willing to help! It’s no secret that many people are struggling financially, but I’ve spoken with people who are calling to apologize that they are only able to give $5.00 or $10.00 and I always tell them that it’s ok and their contribution counts and they’re helping to make a difference for our wish kids. And it’s so true; with out their support we wouldn’t be able to help so many kids.

So, I just wanted to say thank you to anyone who has supported Kids Wish Network and has continued to do so. I would also like to say a special thank you to all of our wonderful sponsors. And, if you are one of those people who called to apologize, just know that you truly make a difference and you really are appreciated!

Melissa
Development & Donor Relations

I love when people ask me how much of their donation goes towards the wishes; it’s the question I enjoy answering the most!!

I always tell people that KWN’s Guardian Angel Fund is one of the things that sets Kids Wish apart from other charities — and it’s wonderful to be able to say, with confidence that 100% of the donation from our sponsors goes towards fulfilling a wish for a very special child. That means if you send in $223.65 then $223.65 goes into the Guardian Angel Fund to fulfill children’s wishes. Oh yea, I love their reactions when I say that. It’s usually like, “WOW you never hear that nowadays,” or “that’s very impressive.” Yea, it’s definitely one of the questions I love to answer!

Megan
Development Department

Since I started at Kids Wish Network in May, I’ve met new friends in the office and have heard so many inspiring stories from some really brave kids. Just like my fellow “development divas” say, Kids Wish Network is truly an amazing experience to be a part of.

I am the administrative assistant for the development department and I am responsible for a variety of things, but recently I was asked to help out the wish funding specialists. When they are working to fund a wish for a wish kid they need to send out that child’s information along with information on our organization to whomever they get in contact with. The “divas” make up to 100-150 calls each a day, so it’s very time consuming for them to get together a packet to send out via email, fax, or mail. That’s where I come in! It’s now up to me to make sure these packets are sent to the right people. At first I will admit that it was difficult juggling my administrative duties with my new found responsibilities, but now that I have the hang of things it’s working out pretty well.

I feel I am more involved with helping our amazing wish kids get their wishes and I feel honored that I have a bigger role in what Kids Wish Network does, and that’s to bring hope to children across the nation! Yet another bonus, I now have two very close friends: the office printer and the fax machine!!

Melissa
Development Department

It has been almost eight months since I started at Kids Wish Network. Boy has time flown by! I can’t tell you enough how lucky I am to be working at such an amazing organization.

I work in the Development Department, and my official title is Research Specialist. When we get a new “wish kid,” our department is asked to try and get the wish funded, and that’s where I come in! Before our amazing funding specialists can actually start working to fund the wish, I work my magic and research the city where the child is from. It sounds pretty easy, at least that’s what I thought, but it’s a lot of work!

I love doing what I do because as I research each new wish child, I’m learning about where they’re from and what that area is known for. I’ve heard of so many new places now that I never would’ve otherwise. Every time I research a new city, completely different from the last, it’s like an adventure!

I’m truly lucky to be doing what I’m doing because I can help so many children out there that deserve to have smiles on their faces!

I’m also very fortunate to be working with such great people, especially my “development divas!” Without these amazing women, I couldn’t do what I do.

Angela
Development Department

Hi!

Here at Kids Wish Network, we strive to make every wish truly special and go above and beyond the expectations of our wish families. I recently received a beautiful letter from the grandmother of Donny, one of my wish kids, and it completely confirmed that our hard work to make each wish unique and memorable is definitely worth going the extra mile. It is so nice to know that we are making a difference for these kids.

Donny’s only wish was for a big screen TV, and with the help of some awesome sponsors, we pulled through for him. His wish came in the form of a beautiful 46 inch flat screen, but we didn’t stop there. To make his wish even more special, we also got him a year of free digital cable.

I’ve posted below the inspiring words from his grandmother. What she doesn’t know is that I just sent another box yesterday with a personalized autographed 8 X 10 picture of Donny’s favorite musician: Gene Simmons of KISS. Mr. Simmons also sent an autographed clock! Hope Donny enjoys it!

Madeline

Wish Department

Dear Madeline,

Irene (Donny’s Grandmother)

Worth, ILL – A young boy who suffers from various life-threatening illnesses recently had his wish granted to meet Chicago Cubs player Aramis Ramirez. The wish was made possible with the help of national charity Kids Wish Network.

Nicholas, who is 11-years-old, was born with Hydrocephalus, a cleft lip and palate, and Crouzan Syndrome, which results in the premature fusion of certain bones in the skull. He has had seven surgeries in his short life, including brain surgery, a bone graft and various reconstructive surgeries to help repair the malformations in his face caused by his illnesses. He will soon undergo another surgery, which will be his most extensive surgery to date, in which surgeons will work to make his face appear more symmetrical.

A Kids Wish Network Wish Referral Specialist contacted Gina, Nicholas’ mom, and sent an application for a wish out to their home. Once the application was completed, Wish Coordinator Vanessa and Wish Funding Specialist Doris got right to work on getting Nicholas’ wish granted.

Vanessa set up the meet and greet with Ramirez, tickets to the game, a hotel stay at Affinia Chicago, various meals at area restaurants, a limo ride, free admission to an Air and Water show with a hospitality tent set up by Shell, and even spending money for their expenses.

“Everything was wonderful. People were so nice and they treated us all like royalty. They were very, very nice to Nick and to all of us,” said Gina. “The Hotel was wonderful and all the restaurants that we got to eat at were great.”

Aside from meeting Ramirez, Nicholas and his family got to meet many additional Cubs players, including Ryan Theriot, Jake Fox, Jeff Baker, Rich Harden, Kosuke Fukudome, Sean Marshall, Geovany Soto and Carlos Marmol.

Nick also go to go out on to the field while the players took their pre-game batting practice, spend time with the guys in their dugout before the game started and take pictures together. Some of the players signed a ball for Nick and he was given a jersey signed by Ramirez. Gina said that Nicholas is a huge sports fan and his favorite team is the Cubs.

“He was very excited about meeting all the players. I just kept telling him to enjoy this because it is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Gina.

Gina said that they had a great time and that Nick really enjoyed the time he had on his wish.

Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following for helping to make Nick’s wish extra special: Mayors Office of Special Events-City of Chicago, Shell, The Capital Grill, Metropolitan Limousine, Affina Chicago, The Chicago Cubs, Timmy ‘O Tooles, Rainforest Café, American Legion Post 1160, BPOE Elks Lodge 1596, Rotary Club of Orland Park, VFW Post 177, Griffis-Jones & Associates, and Hunt Insurance.