Madeline
Wish Department

Within the hour the wonderful “Michigan Guardian Angel” called me and wanted to know all she could about each child. She was so nice; I could tell she had a big heart. She wanted so badly to help each child with their wish.

What happened next was probably one of the biggest surprises I’ve had since I’ve worked at Kids Wish Network. This wonderful “Michigan Angel” gave a portion of her donation to each child’s wish. This means that every wish child I have who lives in Michigan will receive help from this very special lady.

I talk to our Guardian Angels quite often and they’re wonderful people, but this lady was so amazing that I could barely speak when I hung up the phone! I hope she knows just how special she is and that she’s bringing happiness and lasting memories to the children she helped!

So, because of this, I want to say a very special thank you to this very special lady from Michigan – it is a huge help to so many children!

Megan
Development Diva

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 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

For me, my children and my grandchildren are fed, warm and, more precious than that, they are healthy.

The kids we help here at Kids Wish Network have such resilience and it warms my heart to know that even though we can’t change what life has dealt them, as far as their health goes, we can and do put those smiles back on their faces and in their hearts.

Doris
Development Department

But when I came back to work, MAN! I had so much to do! I am still catching up on things that piled up while I was gone. I just keep thinking about all that delicious turkey I ate and it is getting me through each day!

Elizabeth
Wish Department

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

In trying to fulfill our kid’s wishes, I have the pleasure of calling civic organizations like the VFW and the American Legions. They are dedicated to helping our Veterans but they also help where needed in their hometowns. A member of the VFW recently told me they rarely turn down a person or group in need.

I wanted to take a moment and thank everyone who has served or is currently serving in the military. Not just because you protect our country, but because you have answered our call for help in funding many of our children’s wishes! Enjoy your day tomorrow, Veterans! You really do deserve it!

Megan
Development Department

The best calls are when a friend or family member refers a child and doesn’t tell the parents. When I follow up on the referral, it is always nice to hear how pleasantly surprised the parents are. Some are even brought to tears at the thought of their sick child getting their own wish granted. Some are caught so off guard that they have to ask two or three times who I am, why I am calling, or who referred them, but once I explain to them what the call is about, and that their close friend referred their child for a wish, they are very receptive to me and the call.

So keep your ears open for the telephone to ring. It may just be me calling to talk to you about granting your child’s wish!

~Elizabeth

On Thanksgiving Day 2008, Brittany felt a lump on her neck. After a prescription antibiotic did not reduce its size, a test was conducted which diagnosed Brittany with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic system. After 12 rounds of chemotherapy and 17 radiation treatments, Brittany is currently in remission. Still, she has to receive a chest x-ray every two months to ensure the cancer does not return.

While receiving treatment, Brittany’s social worker told the family about Kids Wish Network. After filling out an application, Brittany was soon talking to wish coordinator Jill who was making plans for her wish.

With the help of wish funding specialist Doris, Jill got to work to make Brittany’s wish of a trip to New York City come true.

“It was wonderful. Brittany felt so special and everyone went out of their way. Jill did a good job planning everything for us,” said Lisa, Brittany’s mom.

Together Jill and Doris arranged for Brittany and her family to travel to the Big Apple. A round-trip flight, limo transportation, hotel stays, various dining arrangements, a few sight-seeing tours and spending money was made available for Brittany. Jill even set up a special pampering day for Brittany which included a two hour spa treatment at Metamorphosis Day Spa, a manicure and pedicure at Saks 5th Avenue, a makeover at Bloomingdale’s, tickets to the Mary Poppins musical as well as the Brighton Beach Memoirs play and even a three hour trip on the Spirit Dinner Cruise.

Brittany’s day of pampering even included a personal milestone for her.

“It was my first haircut since my hair started growing back,” she said. “So, my first haircut in almost 9 months.”

Lisa said her family enjoyed all the activities that were included in the wish, including first class limo rides.

“The limo service was fun. Here you are going into time square and you pull up in a limo amongst all the cabs which was a neat experience,” she said.

For Brittany, she said the best part of the trip was her first night in the city.

“My favorite part would definitely have to be the location of our hotel. It was an amazing experience to be staying right in the heart of Times Square and the moment you stepped out of the hotel door to just be right in all the excitement of NYC,” she said.

Lisa said that one thing that really stood out to her during the whole process for her daughter was the fact that Brittany getting her wish was like a vacation from her illness.

“It was just a wonderful experience and it’s amazing for the kids out there that this is available for them,” she said. “For Brittany it was neat because you kind of go through a lot and then it was something to get away to.”

“It is hard to put into words what my wish was like. I had the time of my life. It was a big celebration and an experience I know I’ll never forget,” Brittany said.

Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following for helping to make Brittany’s wish extra special: Saks Fifth Avenue, Courtyard Oakland Airport, Bloomingdale’s, Doubletree Guest Suites-Times Square, Benihana, Au Bon Pain, Metamorphosis Day Spa, Nederlander Producing Company of America, Inc., Disney Theatrical Productions, LTD, The Alicart Restaurant Group, U.S. Limousine Service, Ltd., Azalea Ristorante, Spirit Cruises, American Legion Post 591, American Legion Post 593, Hollister Elks Lodge #1436, Zonta Club of Monterey, Cypress Community Church, First Baptist Church of Salinas, Geoffrey Holland, Mann Packing Company, VFW Post 6849-Spreckels CA

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.