Sophie loved her bale of new plush turtles.
Ask most 5-year-olds where turtles live, and they will tell you “in the sea” or “at the zoo.” But ask 5-year-old Sophie and you’ll get a very different answer. Thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of the Tri-Counties, turtles of all colors and sizes live in Sophie’s bedroom.
Sophie had the opportunity to make a wish after being diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and nothing makes her come out of her shell like the sight of a turtle. In a snap, she asked wish granters to turn her bedroom into a turtle sanctuary.
Sophie’s terrific turtle wish was one of 10 wishes adopted by Longs Drugs Stores, which is a national sponsor of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and has set a goal of raising $1 million to grant wishes. Employees from three Longs stores joined Make-A-Wish® wish granters to create the reptile room of Sophie’s dreams.
To celebrate the grand opening of her room, two Longs employees held a dedication ribbon banner for Sophie to cut. When she opened the door to her turtle sanctuary, her eyes sparkled and, quite contrary to her favorite creature, leaped with delight. Everything in the room had that turtle touch, from the canopied green bed with turtle pillows, to the turtle paintings adorning the walls, to the fresh yellow-and-green paint job and matching curtains.
Plush turtles of every size and species had made their homes in Sophie’s new room, many of them piled up in a turtle tower on the bed. Longs Drug Stores also donated art supplies, books, lamps and picture frames to ensure that – even if the turtles overran most of the room – Sophie would have at least one cozy corner to herself!
Sophie’s biggest surprise was perhaps the smallest turtle – a real one living in a terrarium in a corner of its own. She grinned as she picked it up and looked into its tiny face and then gently set it down and watched it plod across the seemingly gigantic bedroom floor.
Jeannette Rossling, program services manager for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Tri-Counties, said that Sophie and her family were truly grateful to everyone who helped create her picture-perfect turtle room. “Sophie was so amazed that so many people wanted to help her get her wish,” Jeannette said. “Sophie told me, ‘They're cool because they like turtles, too!’”
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What a wonderful room! I, too, have a collection of turtles, especially sea turtles, but most are in a curio cabinet. Hope she really enjoys all her turtles. What a unique wish.
- Zelle 11/06/2006 9:40 -
What a beautiful room!
- Amanda 11/30/2006 19:19 -
Aw! She's so beautiful - it's great to see her wish come true.
- Andrea 01/21/2007 8:58 -
It is my sincere hope that the beautiful turtle room designed specifically for Sophie brings her many, many smiles to come! :) Keep smiling Sophie!!!!!
- Steve 01/28/2007 13:27 -
Sophie...the smile on that beautiful little face is what makes this even more worthwhile! Enjoy your turtles!
- Darlene 01/28/2007 12:46 -
I think this foundation is so inspiring! It's also very interesting to see what things kids really want!
- Mandi 06/18/2007 8:33 -
Sophie, you are so gorgeous! I hope that you will treasure the moment you walked into your room!
- Susan 07/08/2007 16:27 -
Sophie you are so gorgeous! I hope that you will treasure the moment you walked into your room!
- Susan 07/08/2007 16:27 -
Sophie, you are beautiful and I hope you cherish your room forever.
- Susan 07/08/2007 16:37 -
She's beautiful, and my heart jumps with joy to see such a big smile on her face. May God be with her.
- Danyelle 07/10/2007 21:14 -
Sophie...you are a cute girl with a kind smile. I hope you grow up to be a beautiful, strong woman.
- Lily 07/21/2007 11:26 -
Sophie, you are a darling girl. Turtles are cute, but your room is just fabulous! May you and your room have many happy days to come. Say hello to your new pet for me.
- Lauren 04/29/2008 11:59
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© 2006 Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America