Today is my last day here at Kids Wish Network before I leave for my holiday vacation. I am so excited for Christmas and to be able to spend time with all my family members and friends. We have so many family traditions that we do each year. It is always a joyous and fun time.

I know that there are families who are spending the holidays away from or without loved ones. I know that this is the case for some of our own wish families here. I hope that even though the holiday may be sad, that they find something to be thankful for and that their holiday is a happy, blessed one.

To all our wish families and all the employees of Kids Wish Network, I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday and a very Happy New Year!

~Elizabeth
Wish Department

I watched the special on CSX’s Santa Train that aired on Great American Country over the weekend and it was amazing. If you haven’t seen it yet, I suggest you do.

I am extremely proud to say that Kids Wish Network was a part of this wonderful endeavor to help the children and families in the Appalachian Mountains. I am especially proud of Ashley, who was lucky enough to have been the KWN representative on the Santa Train. She did an amazing job helping out and putting a very happy face to the KWN name; in fact, everyone involved with the Santa Train did an awesome job.

There is nothing quite like that special feeling you get when you know that something you’ve done has gone towards helping children; with the Santa Train, over 5,000 children were given something to smile about for the holiday season when they might have had nothing. We at Kids Wish Network are very proud to have been a part of this event.

Shelley Breiner
Executive Director

Not literally, but I’m really excited about an event that a few of our representatives are attending over the weekend: our Holiday of Hope “kickoff” party at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Philadelphia!

The last Holiday of Hope party we hosted there was a huge success! I’ve heard about some of the activities our Facility Coordinators have planned for this coming Saturday and I simply can’t wait to hear all about it when they get back in on Monday!

We’ve sent the hospital a “gift bank” of toys and gifts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars for the sick children there and I’m eagerly waiting to hear the stories of how happy the kids are. I can practically see all those smiling faces now!

I’m sure it’s going to be a big hit that’ll be tons of fun for everyone involved, especially the kids. It really is all for them and they truly deserve it.

Stay tuned for when the girls get back. They’ll be so full of great stories that they’ll be eager to blog about them!

Shelley
Executive Director

This Friday is National Boss Day and I am honored to have Shelley Breiner, founder of Kids Wish Network, for my boss. Kids Wish Network is ALL about the kids and making their dreams come true. Kids Wish Network’s website is filled with stories of granting wishes for kids with life-threatening illnesses. Shelley is the one that started Kids Wish Network so that these children would not be forgotten. I say, “Three cheers for Shelley!” The best boss I could imagine.

D.
Director of First Impressions

All of the surveys for wishes granted, heroes recognized and gift banks delivered come through me. As I was going through a small stack today, I realized that there were some words that were constantly repeated in surveys from people and facilities all around the country, so I decided to post a few for you all to see. See?

Just reading these words will give you a feeling for the sorts of emotions and thoughts our programs cause all around the U.S. I think it’s just great to know.

~Alicia
Editorial Department

Though I don’t like getting up early in the morning, I know I must. C’est la vie, right? Right.

I’m not really awake until I arrive here at Kids Wish Network headquarters, get buzzed in the door and the neon lights shine their luminescence into my squinting eyes.

Once I blink a little bit, I can see the same happy faces in frames that have lined the walls since the day I was interviewed for this position. As you go down the hallways here, you are greeted by dozens of smiles surrounded by all sorts of happy children. Some are at Disney World, some are hugging their favorite celebrities, some in a new pool or hot tub and some are just smiling up at a camera from in front of a brand new computer or game system.

Honestly, I don’t get tired of seeing them all. Who could? I still find myself looking into these smiling young visages every single day as I traipse through the corridors and cracking a smile of my own, knowing that these are the faces of wishes granted.

~Alicia
Editorial 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

Greetings Everyone,
I just wanted to take a moment and thank the Kids Wish Network team for their tireless efforts in helping the thousands of children we serve nationwide. Without their outstanding dedication we would not be able to achieve our goal of putting smiles on the faces of so many deserving children. Kids Wish Network ROCKS

Shelley Breiner

Richmond, Calif. – A teenage boy who has Ewings Sarcoma recently had his wish granted for a Best Buy shopping spree. His wish was made possible with the help of national Charity Kids Wish Network.

In 2008, Felix developed a cough and noticed some pain in his arm. Upon visiting his doctor, a tumor was found and diagnosed as Ewings Sarcoma, which is a cancer of the muscles and connective tissues. Felix went through eight months of chemotherapy treatments and one and a half months of radiation.

Felix said that he was at the hospital receiving treatments when his Child Life Specialist informed him that he would qualify for a wish through Kids Wish Network.

“I was in my chemo bed and my social worker came in and told me about it,” Felix said. “I was pretty excited.”

It didn’t take long for Wish Coordinator Vanessa to get to work and find out that Felix’s wish was for a shopping spree to Best Buy. With some help from Wish Funding Specialist Donna, Felix was soon on his way to his spree.

Felix said he chose a shopping spree because he wanted things for school.

“I thought a spree would help me out with school, and Best Buy has very good stuff there,” he said.

The shopping spree took place at the Best Buy on Fitzgerald Ave. in Pinole, and Felix had $1,000 to spend as he pleased. The store also provided Felix with a 15% discount on his purchases.

“I got a 15 inch HP laptop and an XBOX with Madden 10. I also got this wireless network adaptor that goes with the XBOX so I can play live with other people around the world and play online,” Felix said.

Out of all his purchases, Felix said that his laptop is his favorite.

“It is my favorite thing because it’s going to help me out in school and the first time I saw it I was like, ‘wow,’” he said.

Kids Wish Network also set up a lunch for Felix at a nearby Sizzler restaurant. Felix said that everyone at the restaurant and Best Buy was so nice and helped him throughout the day.

“It was great. Everything was good I just had a great day yesterday,” he said.

Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following for helping to make Felix’s wish extra special: Best Buy, Sizzler, Howard Orthopedics, Orton Development, Richmond Fire Department, Fraternal Order of Eagles 2323, Elks Lodge #1251

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

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,

My name is Irene. I am the proud grandmother of Donny, who today received a 46” television at his home here in El Paso from Kids Wish Network.

Now I know that “Dreams really do come true.” I also realize that your organization keeps its promises to the children. I’m also surprised at the way things materialized. Even though Donny has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, you came through for him. And, of course, we owe that to you. You are an angel in disguise. When my daughter told me about you and your concern, I seriously had doubts and I never imagined that you would follow through. I apologize! The trip to Florida sounded great, but we knew that Donny wouldn’t be able to handle the rides because he doesn’t have the strength to hold on. He can’t even lift his arms much less hold on to something.

The television is the ultimate gift a child with Duchenne can receive. He is really good at games. His concentration is unbelievable. He is very smart. He has trophies and certificates for all his hard work and accomplishments. I help my daughter and my Donny as much as possible. I don’t know if Lirna told you, I’m disabled myself, and neither one of us has a vehicle. My partner takes us when he is able. He is going through radiation therapy himself…

If there is a competition for “Mother of the Year,” I would nominate my daughter in a second. She lives, breathes, and would die for her son. She is a tiny 5’1” woman who weighs the same as Donny. And that will not stop her from anything that she has to do for Donny. She physically picks him up to transfer him from his chair to another chair or table. The perfect example would be to his doctor visits when they have to examine him.

My daughter has been to hell and back. I won’t go into specifics. She has a paralyzed finger in her left hand and has rods, pins and screws in her right arm. I could write a book on her life. I know in my heart that God chose an angel for Donny. “It’s his mother.” I can’t begin to tell you what she has gone through in her life.

I pray that you stay in touch with us, so you can see for yourself what a great family we are. If you ever come to El Paso, we would love to have you for dinner, we are great cooks. Mexican food is our specialty. Even if you would stop in El Paso for a quick and sincere hug from us.

Again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. We will never forget you. We know that you care. And “I have three angels in my world.” God Bless you now and forever.

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.

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.