I am in the process of putting together a playhouse for a sweet little girl named Jolie with leukemia and I just wanted to give a big thanks to some sponsors who have helped out. Kid Kraft went above and beyond by donating many items for the inside of her playhouse including a play kitchen, table and chairs, a tea set, wooden toy box and a large doll house. I would also like to thank Hawkins Homes, who is in the process of putting up her playhouse. A few other sponsors who have made this wish possible are Dali Wall Decals, Valerie Rice, M & D Supply and Orange County Building Materials Inc. This wish wouldn’t have come together so efficiently without their help.

Thanks again, everyone. I’m so glad we could get this together for her by Christmas!

Hopefully, pictures to come…

Vanessa
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 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

Today was an awesome day for me and my new wish kid, Dasha!!

When I work on funding a wish kid, I usually make lots of calls to find sponsors, but today was very different. It’s always exciting to start work on a new wish because you encounter many different kinds of personalities.

Ok, so today I called the local Fire Department near Dasha’s home and told a fireman and president of their union, Jeff, about her. Little did I know that Jeff was getting to work right away to help. He called me about an hour later to tell me he wanted to fund Dasha’s whole entire wish! I was overjoyed that it happened so fast!

It just goes to show you that sometimes it only takes that one special phone call and that one special person to make things happen. Today was awesome!

Megan
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

Each time I’m assigned a new “wish kid” and I read their bios & look at their pictures, I get a bit sad.  They go through so much trauma and pain.  They inspire me. My sadness is short lived because I have the opportunity to fulfill their wishes and have a hand in making them happy.  What a wonderful way to spend my time.

If you’d like to have a hand in making wishes come true, visit our website www.kidswishnetwork.org and hit the DONATE button.  The kids will love you for it and so will I! 

Donna (Development Dept.)

In trying to fulfill a wish for my wish kid, Dalton, in a small town in Illinois I called on an engineering firm. I told the lady that answered about Dalton and she promised she’d get back to me. This is a great story…..She called me back the next day-the firm could not afford a large donation but she was going to do a fundraiser for Dalton. She arranged for the newspaper to comp the print space, the bank to open an account for the fundraiser, and, enlisted the help of her church family. Bottom line, she has raised almost enough to fulfill Dalton’s wish – to swim with the dolphins.

To all those people in small town America – You’re WONDERFUL!

Donna