Make-A-Wish Stories - Animals, Toys, and Shopping

I wish to ride a horse.

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 21:40:48 GMT

Sitting high atop his trusty steed, Markell was ready to rope and ride.

A good cowboy can do anything when he�s sitting tall astride his trusty horse. Seven-year-old Markell dreamed of getting in the saddle, but his sickle cell anemia and frequent blood transfusions didn�t leave him much time for adventure � until he made his wish.

Wish granters from the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Mississippi were determined to make Markell�s first horseback experience a true joy ride, and they started by making sure he looked the part. Boots & More, a local retailer, invited Markell and his family to a shopping spree that would make any cowboy kick up his spurs.

The store owners surprised Markell with a wish cake, and they outfitted him in a new blue button-down shirt, blue jeans, chaps, a belt and shiny belt buckle, and of course, cowboy boots. Markell completed the look with a black 10-gallon hat and then moseyed over to the Chimneyville BBQ restaurant for some chow.

Next, the young cowboy set off to learn that his beloved horses are capable of much more than trotting over the trails. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus welcomed Markell to a rehearsal, where he met the trainers of its beautiful appaloosa horses. He also was invited to feed and pet the prized horses. And later that night, when he and his family took their seats at the circus performance, the announcer welcomed them in front of a packed house.

A true cowboy at heart, Markell instantly bonded with all the horses he met.

Markell woke up the next day ready to take the reins himself. He and his family traveled to a nearby ranch, and the owners introduced him to Storm, his gentle steed for the day.

Markell was thrilled by his view of the world on horseback. �His face just brightened, and his eyes widened,� said Chris Kennedy of the Mississippi chapter. �He lit up. You could see in his face how much fun he was having.�

The ranch also surprised Markell�s whole family with horseback rides so they all could hit the trail together. The experience �really gave the family a chance to be a family again,� Kennedy said.

At day�s end, Markell didn�t want to say goodbye to his new friend, Storm. The aspiring cowboy�s love of horses is here to stay.

� By Kathryn Roethel

All photographs provided by Christina Canon & Chris Kennedy.

I wish to go on a Macy's shopping spree.

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 23:28:48 GMT

By Kathryn Roethel

Alyson found lots of holiday cheer on her Macy�s shopping spree in New York City.

This year, Thanksgiving held immense joy for 6-year-old Alyson and her family. This sweet little girl�s wish � to have a holiday shopping spree at Macy�s in New York City � came true. And Macy�s even treated Alyson to an extra surprise � VIP seats for the Macy�s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Alyson, who along with her twin sister, Andrea, has cystic fibrosis, wished to travel with her family to New York for Thanksgiving week.

For Alyson, a holiday shopping spree at Macy�s was a dream come true. She wanted to be sure wish-granting volunteers knew Macy�s was her favorite store, so she wrote it down for them and underlined it several times. Employees at Macy�s flagship Herald Square store got Alyson�s message; they were ready to welcome her with a personal shopper when she arrived for her shopping spree.

But Alyson loves more about Macy�s than just the shopping: Watching the Macy�s Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade on television is a Thanksgiving-morning tradition in her family � a tradition that she was able to live out in person this year when she and her family took their seats along the famous parade route.

Alyson and her family enjoyed VIP seats for the Macy�s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Macy�s also surprised Alyson with a rare behind-the-scenes look at the parade staging area. Alyson saw the final touches being added to the famous floats and watched her favorite balloon characters come to life as crews filled them with helium.

Alyson�s wish week was filled with the excitement of holiday shopping at Macy�s, the magic of the Macy�s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the thrill of seeing a spectacular city at its finest. And most of all, it gave Alyson and her family memories befitting the Thanksgiving holiday � memories of blessings and joy.

Learn more about Macy�s support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and how you can help.

I wish to have a fashion shopping spree in New York City.

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:45:02 GMT

By Kathryn Roethel

Jordan tries on a coveted Louis Vuitton backpack and models it for his family�s approval.

Thanks to his wish to have a fashion shopping spree in New York City, 17-year-old Jordan has a new pair of Gucci shoes in his closet � a pair that he vows will only touch his feet on the most worthy occasions.

The shoes, and several other coveted designer items, are the result of a wish that began with Jordan�s love of the fashion world. From reading stacks of style magazines to watching episodes of the fashion design reality show �Project Runway,� he knows what styles are making their marks on the catwalk. He�s even been known to sew extra embellishments onto his family�s clothes to create his own fashion statements.

Jordan was diagnosed with autoimmune deficiency syndrome, and when wish granters from the Make-A-Wish Foundation� of Arizona met him, they marveled at the many photographs and magazine picture collages that he created to adorn his hospital room walls. Jordan�s smile was clearly at its brightest when he was in front of a camera.

Wish granters helped Jordan prepare for his New York shopping spree by organizing a sendoff party hosted by Neiman Marcus and the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall. Fashion Square staff members gave him a tour of his favorite stores to inspire some ideas for his big trip and showered him with gifts before he left. Next was an exotic three-course lunch at Thaifoon, where Jordan�s extended family surprised him, and wish granters gave him new luggage and a digital camera.

The following week, Jordan and his family boarded a plane bound for New York. It was the first-ever airplane flight for Jordan and his sisters. Once in The Big Apple, Jordan�s Fifth Avenue shop-a-thon began. A limousine picked him up at his hotel and chauffeured him to all the stores he�d dreamed of: Macy�s, Bloomingdale�s and Gucci. Personal shoppers awaited him in each location, filling up dressing rooms with the hottest fall fashions, just like the ones he�d seen in the magazines.

Taking a well-deserved break from shopping, Jordan shows off cologne from his favorite store, Gucci.

Jordan felt like a star getting into the limo with his arms full of shopping bags. �People thought I was a celebrity when they saw me and the limo,� he said. �They thought my dad was my bodyguard!�

There was still more to come on Jordan�s New York experience. He and his sisters were awestruck by the huge-sized toys at FAO Schwartz and the Ferris wheel in Toys R Us. The family took in a New York Liberty WNBA game and a tour of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and School. The dance students were proud to show Jordan around and urged him to think about studying there one day. A visit to Times Square and tastes of New York pizza and hot dogs from the many street-side vendors added even more flavor to Jordan�s trip.

Jordan�s family returned home from their excursion with twice as many suitcases as they had taken, all stuffed with Jordan�s gifts and purchases.

And those Gucci shoes? Jordan says he�s worn them once � and slipping them on brought back great memories of his trendy days in New York City.

I wish to have a shopping spree.

Tue, 15 May 2007 15:09:00 GMT

With the help of her Macy�s personal shopper, Louise filled several shopping bags with the latest fashions, footwear, jewelry and even a coveted Coach purse.

Louise, 15, has always had a knack for filling shopping bags with just the right outfits and accessories. When this charismatic teen had a chance to make a wish, she told the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey that she wanted to test her shopping skills in New York City, one of the world�s fashion capitals.

Louise, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, began her dream day of shopping in super-star style. She arrived in New York�s Herald Square in a white stretch limo. At her request, the limo was equipped with a cooler full of Shirley Temples to drink.

Louise�s shopping destination was one of the most famous retailers in New York City: Macy�s. The store manager and associates greeted her at the door and introduced her to her personal shopper, who was ready and willing to outfit Louise the finest fabrics, the latest styles and the works of the hottest designers.

By the shopping trip�s end, Louise walked away with brimming bags filled with new clothes, sparkling jewelry, trendy shoes and � her favorite purchase � a Coach bag.

Full of smiles and gratitude, Louise told her wish granters, �This wish was more than I ever expected. My personal shopper really made me feel like a princess for the day. Thank you everyone at Make-A-Wish and Macy�s for truly making my dream come true.�

In the 2006 holiday season, in addition to granting magical wishes like Louise�s Macy�s generated $4.3 million for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Thanks for Sharing debuted as a national Macy's initiative in 2003 - a distinctive effort from which customers benefit during the holiday season, and charities benefit throughout the year. Customers join the program for $25. In return, they receive a Reward Card valued at 10 percent of all their Macy's credit card net purchases made during the holiday period. Plus, for each Thanks for Sharing program member, Macy's donates $10 to charity.

I wish to have the perfect Christmas with my family

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 01:05:25 GMT

Travis's perfect Christmas wish took him and his family to Santa's vacation home where the elves had been busy decking the halls with holiday cheer.

Kids around the world send Santa their wish lists each Christmas, but when 5-year-old Travis made his special wish for �Santa Claus to visit with big presents and give me a real Christmas with my family,� Santa dispatched elves from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Rhode Island to make his wish come true.

Travis, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor, soon discovered the true meaning of a favorite Christmas carol: �The Twelve Days of Christmas.�

On the first day of his Christmas wish, Travis discovered one big box outside his front door, along with a letter from Santa. The box was full of Christmas decorations for Travis and his family to deck their halls. And just as the song says � 11 more days of magical gifts followed.

On the 12th day of Christmas, Santa finally arrived, toting big presents for Travis and a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.

On the second day, Travis received a camera and film to capture his Christmas memories. On the third day, Travis gobbled three kinds of Christmas sweets from Mrs. Claus.

On succeeding days, Travis was showered with favorite Christmas films and a DVD/VCR combination player, CDs of Christmas music and a CD player, plus a stocking for each member of his family, including his five brothers and sisters.

On the 11th day of Christmas, Travis�s 11 candy canes were delivered by a festively decorated limousine � and Travis and his family were invited to go for a ride.

When the limo finally reached its destination, Travis found himself at the doorstep of none other than Santa�s vacation home on the Rhode Island shore. The enchanting cabin burst with Christmas cheer � outdoor lights, wreaths, candles and decorations, flannel Christmas sheets on the beds and Christmas cookies on the table. In the center of the living room stood a beautiful Christmas tree that Travis trimmed with his family while singing Christmas carols and sharing Christmas cookies and hot cocoa.

On the 12th day of Christmas, Santa finally arrived, toting big presents for Travis and a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.

For Travis, this spectacular holiday was beyond his wildest dreams, and there�s no doubt the power of his Christmas wish will stay with him all year long.

At day's end, Travis fell asleep, dreaming sweet dreams of his perfect Christmas wish.

I wish to have an elelphant

Fri, 25 Aug 2006 23:17:19 GMT

Some people say that less is more, but not 7-year-old Caleb. That�s why he made a jumbo-sized wish to be the honorary owner of an elephant.

Caleb, who is being treated for leukemia, has always wanted a pachyderm pal. But since elephants are less-than-ideal house pets, the best way for him to get his wish was to adopt an elephant. Wish granters from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oklahoma found an Asian elephant and arranged for Caleb to be his honorary owner.

The boy and his elephant bonded quickly over Caleb�s offerings of strawberries and donuts. After the two met, they were ready for a party to celebrate their friendship. Caleb introduced the elephant to his guests during a fun-filled wish party, complete with clowns, pony rides and tasty barbecue.

The elephant added some of his own fun to the celebration, showing off his sports and musical talents: He swatted a soccer ball around and played the harmonica with his trunk.

As the honorary owner, Caleb can visit the elephant at the sanctuary whenever he likes. After he had his wish granted in June, Caleb eagerly planned to bring more strawberries and donuts, plus some peanuts to feast on.

�I think we may have created a monster!� wrote Caleb�s mother, Shanna, to the Make-A-Wish Foundation after the wish.

Shanna said the experience was everything Caleb anticipated.

�The wish team did a terrific and spectacular job with a difficult wish,� she wrote. �We would not change anything.�

It�s sure to be a wish that Caleb will remember for a long, long time.

I wish to go on a shopping spree to help homeless children

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 21:28:23 GMT

Twelve-year-old Jordan didn't need a long time to decide on his wish, but his request for a shopping spree from the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation� had a catch. Jordan wanted all the toys, clothes, and other items he purchased to go to homeless children in his community in California.

Not surprisingly, word of Jordan's wish spread, and two local organizations compiled a "wish list" to help him identify the items most important to the homeless children. In the weeks leading up to Jordan's shopping spree, retailers and shoppers learned about his altruistic plan and chipped in by making purchases to give him a head start.

With excitement in the air, the time for Jordan's shopping spree arrived. At his first store � Wal-Mart � every manager, associate, and clerk was standing outside to greet him with smiles and tears of joy. Because the big-hearted boy had been featured in a newspaper story, many shoppers recognized Jordan during the day. They offered him words of encouragement and more. Some even gave him money to add to his shopping spree allowance, while others bought items right off the gift registry.

Throughout the day, Jordan found that many of the stores on his list already had carts and bins filled with merchandise bought by shoppers and employees to support his wish. Additionally, every store gave him a discount, a check to supplement his spree, and a special gift just for him!

For part of his experience, Jordan asked to meet the kids who would be benefiting from his kindness. To accomplish this, the Greater Bay Area chapter threw a celebration at a ranch in Napa for Jordan's friends and families, and the families of the homeless children.

The young shopper arrived at the party aboard a fire truck with its sirens blaring. The kids in attendance greeted him with hand-made banners, cheers, applause, and thank-you cards. The fun continued with everyone feasting on Domino's pizza, donated cookies, and Cold Stone Creamery ice cream. The 150 revelers were also entertained with sing-along music, animals, a clown, and face painting.

In addition to the gratitude of the homeless children, Jordan also earned the admiration of the mayor of Napa. During the party, the mayor announced how proud he was of Jordan and presented him with a key to the city! In another highlight, Jordan cried with happiness as he tore open the gift wrapping on his own video camera.

At the end of the day, the families began climbing aboard the trolleys to take them back to their shelters. Jordan gave each kid a hug and a specially-selected present, wrapped that morning by his family and Make-A-Wish� volunteers. In a fitting end, each child graciously told him "thank you" before boarding the trolley.

I wish to have a swing set with a house attached

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 23:03:31 GMT

Marychelo is a 4-year-old bundle of energy. Not even her illness can slow her down. Marychelo loves to play outside, and when given the chance to select her most heartfelt wish, she wanted to have "a swing set with a house attached."

The rambunctious child had no idea when or if her wish would be granted. One day her mom took Marychelo to visit a relative's house, and while she was away, the swing set was constructed. Marychelo's wish was just hours away from coming true.

In commemoration of the 20th birthday of Make-A-Wish Foundation^® and Marychelo's wish come true, friends, family, volunteers, and local television stations gathered at Marychelo's house for a surprise wish presentation party. There was even fried chicken, Marychelo's favorite dish, waiting for her upon her arrival.

Words could not accurately describe the joy evident in Marychelo's eyes and in her smile when she saw that her one most heartfelt wish came true. And Marychelo's swing set was no ordinary backyard toy. The set featured three swings, a rope swing, and two penthouses on top. Lots of hugs and kisses courtesy of an exuberant 4-year-old added to the festivities.

I wish to have a horse

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 22:21:04 GMT

Thirteen-year-old Kimberly's love for horses found its way into her Make-A-Wish^® experience. When questioned by volunteers from the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of the Tri-Counties, Kimberly explained she wanted a horse of her own. The wish granters set about making her equestrian dream come true, but wanted to involve the teen's family in all decisions about Kimberly's new horse, including boarding, training and equipment. Special attention was also paid to choosing the best stable and trainer.

Kimberly was allowed to choose her own horse and found a good candidate named General Lee through an Internet site. Her mom drove her to the horse's ranch, and Kim rode General Lee four times. She fell in love with him, but when General Lee was delivered, he proved to be the wrong fit. The search began again but ended at the same ranch. Smokey emerged as the obvious choice for Kim, and a veterinarian exam confirmed he was healthy.

With Kimberly now having her horse, the next issue to tackle was housing. Although Kimberly's family had the space to keep Smokey at home, the family agreed it was best to keep the horse at a stable for the first year. Of course, the stable had to be kid-friendly. When the right facility was selected, an insurance company donated medical/mortality insurance for Smokey at no charge.

To round out the wish, the Tri-Counties chapter bought Kimberly a helmet, boots and grooming equipment. Kimberly's wish also included 25 riding and horse-care lessons, plus a personal trainer selected by her mom. Kimberly will be supervised by an adult while she is around the horse until she can demonstrate to the stable operator that she is ready to work with Smokey on her own. The teen's first goal is to meet the minimum competency level set by the stable.

I wish to have a new pair of cowboy boots

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 21:48:38 GMT

Three-year-old Christian is a growing cowboy. He figured out he was getting bigger when he started outgrowing his ostrich cowboy boots. Panicked, he asked volunteers with the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of North Texas for new ones. Wish granters made arrangements for a wish that would let Christian and his feet get the attention they deserved.

When the wish day rolled around, the little buckaroo and his parents stepped into a stretch limousine that took them to a western wear store. The store manager greeted Christian with a new cowboy hat and a special discount. Just like a new sheriff in an unruly town, the boy got down to business, picking out two new pairs of boots, five shirts and six pairs of pants. While perusing the store, Christian found a stick horse � which is a plush horse head attached to a long stick body � and brought it into the barn-themed dressing room. The little wrangler explained that his new livestock needed to be corralled to get some sleep.

In a show of generosity, Christian also picked out a pair of new boots for each of his six brothers. The tiny vaquero added some accessories to his new wardrobe, including a bolo tie, sheriff�s badge, belt buckle, and canteen. Yee haw!

Afterwards, Christian moseyed on down to an electronics store, where he took a break from traditional cowboy entertainment, such as campfires and harmonicas, and instead opted for a TV/VCR, stereo and PlayStation. Those purchases concluded his shopping spree, so Christian and his posse headed home. When they arrived, Christian�s mother presented the wish granters with fresh tamales as a show of appreciation.

I wish to have a pool table and accessories

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 20:34:26 GMT

Seventeen-year-old Danny had his mind made up when a wish-granting team from the Make-A-Wish Foundation� of South Dakota arrived at his home. He loves to shoot pool, so his wish was an easy one. He wished to have a pool table and accessories.

Wish granters suggested to Danny that he scout out styles of pool tables and find his favorite. The young billiards enthusiast did just that, picking a Camden II table from Brunswick. The Brunswick name has been around awhile, as John Brunswick started building tables back in 1845. In fact, some of the older Brunswick tables today are worth more than $100,000.

Only a few days after spotting his dream table at the store, workers were at Danny�s house assembling it. Volunteers with the South Dakota chapter arranged for a home pizza party to celebrate the wish with Danny�s family and friends. The budding pool shark even played a game against his wish granters!

Danny�s sister, Mandie, had a wish granted three years earlier with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She wished to have her book published. It is titled Through the Eyes of a Child. In it, she chronicles her diagnosis, and emotional and physical setbacks � all in an effort to let other kids with disabilities know that they are not alone.

The siblings� parents offered their appreciation to the chapter, saying, �Our family would like to thank you for all your kindness you�ve shown. You�ve done so much for our kids and made them both so happy.�

I wish to be a zookeeper

Tue, 15 Aug 2006 21:58:05 GMT

This particular December day was brisk and sunny in New York City. It was especially sunny for 8-year-old Avril, of Manhattan, who will remember it as the day her wish came true; and for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York, which celebrated its 5,000 wish granted.

Diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition in 2001, Avril recently completed treatment and was ready to think about happy adventures. A girl who enjoys indoor and outdoor activities, she is a lover of animals � especially dogs, horses, and frogs. In fact, she would love to have her own horse one day. Avril wished to meet animals up close � to see the colors of their eyes and touch their fur or feathers.

The Bronx Zoo was the perfect place to fulfill her wish, and the zoo declared Avril �honorary zookeeper for a day.� And, as a preamble to her full-day experience, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg assisted Avril as she flipped the switch in November for the Bronx Zoo's Holiday Lights.

Accompanying Avril on her wish adventure were her mother, Beth; her sister, Meryl; her brother, Jarrod; and her best friend, Sophie � all animal lovers.

Avril's wish day began with a visit to the zoo's education department, where zookeepers supervised the hands-on experiences Avril and her entourage enjoyed. They checked out Lily, a silvery-cheeked hornbill bird from Africa; held and nuzzled Vada, a fennec fox; and they fed Frankie, the two-toed sloth, and Sam, the tortoise. But the highlight was visiting a wallaby named Nachman, who snacked on whipped cream. The children listened to Nachman stories as they browsed through photo albums documenting his growth.

In the bird area, they fed penguins, and Avril took on the role of medic as she applied a special cream to a flamingo's sore, cracked feet. In the new Tiger Mountain exhibit, Avril and her crew played tug-of-war with Taurus, a 300-pound Siberian tiger cub. Holding the rope in his teeth (and with a secure barrier between them), Taurus showed Avril the mighty power of a tiger cub. And, thanks to an observant full-time zookeeper, Avril now has one of Taurus� whiskers � a rare find and a great wish memory.

Following lunch, Avril and her crew received official Bronx Zoo honorary zookeeper credentials � appropriate recognition of these Wildlife Conservation Society members who take their responsibilities seriously. Brother Jarrod even brought a pocketful of quarters for donating to the endangered species. Assessing the experience as she headed for the limousine that would take her home, Avril said, �It was really cool! I got to see all these really cool animals and take care of them.� But the perfect end to the day occurred when Avril opened the door of the limousine and saw the many, many stuffed zoo animals that stared back at her. Shrieks and squeals of joy erupted.

�My heart is full,� Avril's mom noted. �She has been through so much, and it�s nice to have a break from all that to do something that means so much to her.�

I wish to have my own horse and riding lessons

Thu, 03 Aug 2006 20:23:30 GMT

Rachel, a 7-year-old from Fredericksburg, Va., enjoys swimming and playing with American Girl dolls; however, Rachel�s true love is horses. Not surprisingly, when Rachel�s wish granters approached her about a wish experience, Rachel said she wanted her very own horse.

Of course, keeping a horse in the backyard or the guestroom is not a very manageable task, especially for a 7-year-old. But the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Richmond and Western Virginia found a way for Rachel to enjoy all the fun of owning a horse without having to maintain the animal every day.

Luckily, a stable not far from Rachel�s home provided a year of free riding lessons. Rachel was surely the most stylish young rider at the stable after also receiving a riding habit, new boots and a beautiful new saddle. In addition, Rachel had unlimited access to the stable so she could ride whenever she wanted.

Best of all, Rachel�s fondest wish � for her own horse � came true. One of the stable horses was specially designated "Rachel�s Horse" during her entire year of free lessons, meaning Rachel was the only person to ride that horse. With her very own horse, new riding gear and free lessons, Rachel may be well on her way to the Kentucky Derby.

I wish to make my own action figure "Razor"

Thu, 03 Aug 2006 18:47:02 GMT

On Saturday, May 6, a new action figure named Razor made its debut at more than 1,300 K-B Toys stores nationwide. Razor's presence on store shelves has taken on extra significance because the action figure was designed and created as part of 11-year-old Jeff Luttrell's wish experience.

When the Make-A-Wish Foundation� of Central & Southern Arizona told Jeff that he could wish for anything in the entire world, he chose a wish that would highlight his vivid imagination and create a lifetime of memories for thousands of people. And thanks to the ReSaurus Toy Company -- a toy manufacturing company based in Columbus, OH -- Razor, the product of Jeff's imagination, was brought to life. Click here to learn more about Jeff's incredible wish experience.

Jeff's wish came full circle when Razor hit the shelves at K-B Toys stores across the country. To celebrate this wonderful testament to the ripple effect of a wish experience, and to help introduce Jeff's creation to the public, K-B Toys and the Make-A-Wish Foundation held a special autograph signing at a K-B Toys store in Jeff's hometown of Tempe, Arizona.

Before the event officially began there was already a large line of people waiting for Jeff's autograph. Jeff appeared to be well suited for the celebrity spotlight, signing autographs and taking pictures with visitors like a consummate professional.

Jeff's family, friends, wish-granters, neighbors, and even his math teacher were on hand to offer their support during Jeff's special day, making sure they had their own autographed Razor package.

"K-B Toys decision to partner with the Make-A-Wish Foundation reflects our philosophy of bettering the lives of children and families," said John Tullock, Boys Toy Buyer for K-B Toys. "We're thrilled that we could complete Jeff's dream of creating an action figure by making it available on our store shelves nationwide."

Razor retails for $9.99, and $5.00 from each purchase will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help grant wishes in Jeff's name. Razor is also available for purchase online at www.KBKids.com.

I wish to have a customized play system

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 21:30:47 GMT

Five-year-old Elizabeth�s parents knew their daughter�s wish. Due to her life-threatening medical condition, Elizabeth was unable to verbally communicate her wish to volunteers from the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of the Hudson Valley, but she and her family explained it in a variety of ways. Elizabeth wanted a swing set and play system because there was no playground in her community that met her special needs. Volunteer Lisa began calling around and enlisted the help of Universal Play Systems. Company representatives met with Elizabeth, her family and wish granters to design a safe but thrilling system for the excited girl. In a fun twist, wish granters learned that Elizabeth also enjoys butterflies and birds. To spruce up the play set, volunteers decided to have a perennial garden planted next to it to attract Elizabeth�s favorite creatures.

Word of Elizabeth�s exciting wish spread, and community members began lining up to help. Two fire departments combined resources and brought in more than 30 employees and their spouses to provide free labor for installation of the play system. Local nurseries donated garden-design services and planting materials, and a rental center offered the equipment for digging. Additionally, a construction foreman donated his time to build the play system on the wish day, and local restaurants chipped in food for the hard-working group.

After the flurry of activity, Elizabeth�s completed play system and garden took root in the family�s back yard. It consisted of a swing set with two swings (one for children with disabilities), a slide with high sides, a sitting area with four special panels, and plenty of safety rails for the girl�s wheelchair. The four panels in the sitting area each have a different activity, with a musical panel, a bubble mirror, an animal matching game and a window. From the top of the playset, the girl who loves the outdoors can watch her garden.

Wish granters report Elizabeth loves her new play system. When it was completed, Mom Kari happily commented that now her daughter can have a friend over for the first time. Volunteer Lisa called it �the best wish I have done ever� and added that Elizabeth �never stopped smiling that day�.

I wish to create a cancer-fighting video game.

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 21:05:41 GMT

Ben loves computer games. They not only kept him in a positive frame of mind during his treatments for leukemia, they also got him thinking: �How can I use the games I love to help other kids like me?"

So when given a wish opportunity, this 9-year-old boy�s wish was to design a video game that would be helpful to kids like him who have cancer � a way to fight back, and relieve some of the pain and stress involved with treatment.

To grant Ben�s wish, the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation^® sought out game companies to find a champion to make Ben's wish come true. �The initial response was overwhelmingly pessimistic,� said Patricia Wilson, Greater Bay chapter executive director. �People told us this venture was nearly impossible without taking several years, and literally millions of dollars.�

However, heroes stepped forward � Eric Johnston and his employer, LucasArts, who fully supported Ben�s efforts. Not only did Eric want to make Ben's wish a reality, he planned to involve Ben in every step of the process. For months, Ben and Eric met on a regular basis to make the game just as Ben envisioned it.

Screen shot of Ben's video game.

Wilson added, �Eric and Ben achieved the impossible! Ben�s wish is inspiring because it was selfless and -- Ben is a philanthropist. Finding an angel like Eric Johnston was a miracle, and having the support of the University of California at San Francisco (UCSF) and its medical team was invaluable.�

Ben�s own physician, Dr. Seymour Zoger of UCSF Children�s Hospital, served as a medical advisor for the game. USCF Children�s Hospital will serve as the first medical facility to install the game for its pediatric patients use. �The science for Ben's game came largely from what Ben learned himself in the course of treatment,� said Dr. Zoger.

About the game:
The object of the game is to destroy all mutated cells and to collect the seven shields that provide protection from common side effects of chemotherapy. The shields are guarded by �monsters�:

Colds �- Iceman Monster
Barf � Robarf Monster
Chicken Pox � Big Chicken Monster
Fever � Fire Monster
Bleeding � Vamp Monster
Hair Loss � Qball Monster
Rash � Tornado Monster

Three health levels serve as ammunition in the game:

Health you get from the hospital
Ammunition you get from the pharmacy
Attitude you get from home

You can access and read more about Ben's game at http://www.makewish.org/ben.

I wish to have a dinosaur.

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 20:05:45 GMT

Even 65 million years of history couldn�t stand between 6-year-old Zack and his wish. When Zack learned he could wish for anything he wanted, he sunk his teeth in and wished BIG. Zack wished to have a Tyrannosaurus rex.

Fortunately for the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia, granting Zack�s wish didn�t require time travel. The T. rex Zack had his sights set upon was of the fiberglass variety, a 7�-foot tall, 130-pound predator that Zack had seen during DinoMite Days, the Carnegie Museum of Natural History�s 2003 art exhibit.

Zack�s epic wish began when he woke up and his mom, Natalie, told him that the news was reporting about a mysterious egg uncovered at the Pittsburgh Zoo. The newspaper called for anyone knowledgeable about dinosaurs to report to the zoo immediately. Zack quickly donned his paleontology gear � a khaki vest, a magnifying glass and a fossil brush � and rode in style in an H1 Hummer to the Pittsburgh Zoo. It was there that Zack met with zoo curator Henry Kacprzyk, petted a Komodo dragon and confirmed what authorities feared most � the egg had hatched and its contents were now roaming the streets of Pittsburgh.

Never one to panic � even with the people of Pittsburgh in danger of becoming dino-bites � Zack determined that the tracks leading from the egg could belong to only one creature: the T. rex. Zack�s next stop was to confer with Carnegie Museum paleontologist Matt Lamanna in the museum�s Big Bone Room. Matt helped Zack put his paleontology equipment to good use as the two cleaned a 9-million-year-old rib from a rhinoceros fossil found in Kansas.

After leaving the museum, Zack discovered that the tracks of the elusive dinosaur were leading straight for his house. What he didn�t know was that while he was trailing the T. rex, Brian Reneski, project manager for DinoMite Days, was pouring slabs of concrete in his backyard to mount Zack�s new friend.

The company that made the original DinoMite dinos couldn�t fill Zack�s order in a timely manner, so Reneski drove to Toronto, picked up the T. rex mold and cast the model himself. He then arranged for artist Holland Williams to paint the beast according to Zack�s specifications, including a green body covered with pictures of other carnivorous dinosaurs and a special tattoo bearing the name Zack had selected: Meaty.

Zack finally traced the tracks to his backyard and beamed with a colossal smile when he saw Meaty. He immediately raced to climb on him. �I named it Meaty cause it eats meat,� he said.

Zack�s parents were also excited about their son�s new virtual pet and the happiness that came with it. �He�s probably going to want to sleep out here,� Zack�s father, John, told the Pittsburgh Tribune Review. �He�ll probably curl up in the egg shell.�

Zack deserved a little rest after an exciting day of helping make his own wish come true, tracking and discovering a magnificent, fearsome friend who would be right at home.

Zack�s mammoth wish was also a fitting milestone for the Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia chapter. Meaty marked the chapter�s 7,000th wish granted since its founding in 1983.

I wish to have a batting cage

Mon, 24 Jul 2006 18:56:16 GMT

On the walls of the Wish House at Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Northern Nevada is a picture of a teenage boy, movie-star handsome and flashing a crooked grin, leaning relaxed against a park fence, baseball glove resting at his side.

This young man's journey to the time and place captured in the photo is an amazing one that started when he was 12 years old, when he was diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition. Casey and his family were thrown into a new world of medical treatments, hospitals and medical bills. During this time of stress and loneliness, along came the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

When it came time for Casey to choose a wish, he thought long and hard about it. While battling for his life, there had been no time for his beloved Little League games. He had missed a lot of baseball and wanted to make up for lost time with a batting cage of his own.

Casey�s wish brought an entire community together to witness the amazing heart and courage of a 13-year-old boy as the batting cage was installed in his own backyard.

As Casey approaches his 16th birthday, he is a proud member of the Damonte Ranch baseball team and freshman class president at his school. He also serves as a roving ambassador for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, sharing his experience with others at meetings, dinners, and special events throughout the community.

When Casey speaks, he tells an amazing story: his story. But it�s the calm confidence of the speaker that mesmerizes the audience. Casey can be heard saying, �Once you face down death, you never look at life the same.�

Making every minute count is what Casey does every day, whether it's in service to others, experiencing the joys of baseball, or sharing a story about life and the power of a wish.

I wish to have a super-duper playground

Fri, 21 Jul 2006 16:19:44 GMT

"I love to play outside all day and night," exclaimed 6-year-old wish kid Marquise.

And on Make A Difference Day in Memphis, Tenn. Make-A-Wish Foundation� of the Mid-South and UAW-GM made sure that Marquise would be able to always do just that by granting his wish to have a "super-duper" playground.

Marquise and his family started the big day with a red carpet welcome at Rainbow Play Systems in Memphis. Local GM representatives and their families lined the carpet and cheered for Marquise as he entered the room. He was given the title of "King for the day" and all the playground sets were his kingdom that day.

The games continued when Marquise and his 6 siblings had to search his kingdom to find red circles numbered 1-20. Once they found them, Marquise had to arrange them in numerical order on an oversized piece of construction paper. When he reached number 20, he was allowed to turn the sheet of paper over to reveal a surprise � a picture of his future playground! Marquise was presented with a king's crown and sash that read "king of the playground."

While he was only ruler of this particular kingdom for a day, he was pronounced king of his playground forever! In addition to the installation of a "super duper" playground in Marquise�s backyard, he received wonderful gifts to make his playtime even more fun: a bicycle, helmet and pads, an outdoor container full of assorted balls, a rocket ball outdoor game, a giant Frisbee, and Fall and Winter clothes including a coat and gloves.

Local GM representatives and Marquise's family enjoyed cake and snacks while Marquise reigned over his playground kingdom with great joy.

I wish to go swimming with the dolphins.

Wed, 12 Jul 2006 18:01:46 GMT

Chad and his family were hesitant at first in contacting the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® , as they were under the impression that the organization served children who were not doing so well medically. The family was delighted to hear that many Make-A-Wish^® children are not only coping with life-threatening illnesses, but are overcoming them. Shortly thereafter, Chad became a Make-A-Wish kid.

Chad's fascination with dolphins prompted him to decide that, as his wish, he wanted to go swimming with the dolphins.

It was a wish full of firsts for Chad. A chauffeur picked Chad up for his first limousine ride � but that marked only the beginning of Chad's experience. The young man boarded an airplane for the first time, which took him and his family to Orlando, Florida. The family enjoyed a number of activities in Orlando, but without a doubt, the highlight of the trip was Chad's visit to Discovery Cove � where he would realize his dream of swimming with the dolphins.

When Chad ventured into the water for his encounter with the dolphins, he was the very first one in his group to touch one. Chad's dolphin experience made him feel incredibly special, knowing that his one greatest wish had come true.

Even the dolphin appears to be smiling as he gave Chad a kiss.