Things Remembered became part of the Foundation's mission in 1997 when it granted Elysia's special request: To give her loved ones personalized gifts so they would remember her. To honor Elysia's memory, each year Things Remembered offers unique Make-A-Wish^® gifts with a donation from every purchase benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® . A partnership that grew from a child's wish to be remembered has generated almost $4 million to make lasting memories of joy and laughter for children with life-threatening medical conditions across the country.

Elysia's Sentiment Inspires a National Sponsorship

When 17-year-old Elysia met with her wish granters in 1997, her wish took them by surprise.

While many girls her age would have wished to meet the pop star whose posters adorned their walls, or to shop to their heart's content at the mall with their girlfriends, Elysia's selfless wish touched the hearts of her wish granters. Elysia came from a very close family and valued her relationships with her friends and family above all else. Because of that, Elysia wished to give unique, personalized gifts to each of her family members and close friends.

To help make her wish a reality, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky turned to Things Remembered, a national chain of personalized gift stores.

Things Remembered was moved by Elysia's heartfelt wish and donated items for all 62 people Elysia wished to honor. Each gift was engraved with a personal message from Elysia to say "Thank you, I love you, and always remember me."

Elysia's wish inspired Things Remembered to become a national sponsor of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Each year, as part of their sponsorship, Things Remembered creates a unique holiday ornament which is dedicated to Elysia's memory, along with a variety of other heartwarming gifts to benefit the Foundation.