For those who may not know our origin story, it’s remarkable. In 1980, a single Mom, Linda Pauling, was going to school and simultaneously being a mom to seven-year-old Chris, who had leukemia. She knew Chris had dreamed of being a police officer, so she asked around to see if anyone could get Chris an experience in a police car, etc. Not only did Chris ride in a police car, helicopter, and motorcycle, but he also was sworn in as a Phoenix police officer and given his own custom police uniform. When Chris died four days later and was buried in the Midwest, two Phoenix police officers attended his funeral to ensure he received the same burial as any of their fallen colleagues. The day Chris became a police officer was April 29,1980.
When the dust had settled a bit, Linda and everyone that helped with Chris’ wish looked at one another and thought, if there’s a Chris out there, there are other kids that could use this experience, and by 1981, Chris Greicius’ Make-A-Wish granted its first official wish for Frank “Bopsy” Salazar. Today, Make-A-Wish has granted life-changing wishes for children and families for over 40 years. We’re represented in all states in the United States and fifty countries, with our international division on six continents through its forty affiliates. With the assistance of donors and volunteers, we’ve granted more than 550,000 wishes collectively worldwide. And we’re far from done.
We here at Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada always try to do something special to honor Chris and the wish that inspired it all. This year, we’re fortunate to have our Walk for Wishes at Town Square on Saturday, April 29, 2023. I don’t know that our Walk has ever fallen on World Wish Day, but I’m sure of one thing, there are no accidents. This is our major community event each year, and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever.
One of my favorite things about Walk is seeing so many wish families whose wishes I’ve helped grant but have also heard about during my five-year tenure at Make-A-Wish Southern Nevada that were granted before I was at our chapter. These families walk with us daily, and I’m so proud that our team walked alongside them not only when their wish was being granted but as these children began to live what I lovingly call their Wishfully Ever After! If I ever need inspiration, I look at the photos and videos from past Walk for Wishes events. Last year there was a particularly poignant moment that was captured, and while I didn’t see it live, watching a small boy see Spiderman, then running to him for an embrace covers that event to me in a few seconds.
Seeing our wish families, volunteers, and community supporters, I feel like that small boy, seeing old and new friends whom I’m honored to embrace because they’ve embraced me as CEO and what we already know. Make-A-Wish is the prescription for hope. Join us on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Town Square as we again administer that prescription of hope. Not only to wish kids and families but to everyone in attendance.
2023 Walk for Wishes - Wish Kid Ambassadors
Princesses (and Woody!) at Walk for Wishes
Love the support from the whole team at Allegiant Airlines!
Love this photo of Wish Kid, Tommy, who received a wish from us back in 2014 and continues to Walk with us each year alongside his mom, Heather Harris, the current chairwoman of our Board of Directors.