Wish Counter
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“ I wish to have a weekend camping trip for the children I tutor”
Rankin , age 17
East Tennessee Chapter
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Seventeen-year-old Rankin is battling a life-threatening medical condition, but his focus is on something more important to him – the boys and girls he tutors after school.

When considering his wish with volunteers from the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of East Tennessee, he thought about the

Two of Rankin's pupils tackle the rock-climbing wall while Rankin (green hat) observes below.

kids he worked with daily from Chattanooga and decided to give them a new experience in the outdoors. He wished for a weekend of camping for the participants in his community service program. Jewelers Charity Fund for Children stepped up to sponsor the wish. Wish granters chose a campground in Mentone, Alabama, that had cabins, ballfields, hiking, water sports, and more. Rankin’s boarding school helped organize the trip and transported all the children into the wilderness.

Food was plentiful, with lots of ice cream and lemonade for the kids. The young adventurers had a blast with wall climbing, canoeing, rock painting, games, and arts and crafts. And Rankin? He played hard, too, and showed everyone how to share the power of a wish® .

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Inspired Thoughts

  • I think that is the sweetest thing – how a teenage boy who is given the chance to have anything he wants chooses to share it with the children he tutors.
    - Megan 08/29/2006 13:48
  • Rankin must be one of the coolest teenagers in the world! What a wonderful, selfless act of kindness!
    - Nicole 08/29/2006 13:46
  • Rankin must be pretty amazing!
    - Sarah 05/26/2007 8:04
  • I hope you know that what you did makes people really see that there are good people out there. I hope that you have a great life. I think you are truly amazing.
    - Ashley 01/09/2008 17:51
  • That is such an amazing thing that Rankin has done. Inspirational men like him are the people who make the world a better place.
    - Amanda 04/13/2008 22:10
  • What a beautiful wish. How awesome and so unselfish.
    - Annmarie 06/25/2008 14:27

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