World Wish Month Celebration
5-Year-Old Wish Kid to Receive Send Off to Disney World on April 11
HOUSTON (APRIL 10, 2024) - When thinking of what her wish could be, Stella, 5, who battles cancer, knew immediately what she wanted: a trip to Disney World. A true warrior, like most Disney princesses, Stella has handled her cancer treatments with strength and resilience. Stella, who is bilingual in Spanish, loves pink and the movie Encanto, and has been dreaming of this day for a long time. Her original wish trip was booked for this past January, but due to a reaction to her treatment, her trip was postponed. Now, that trip can finally come true, thanks in partnership to Wish sponsor, Valero.
On Thursday, April 11, Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana, and WishMaker Valero, will host Stella’s wish send-off, Disney style! This wish has been made possible thanks to the generous support of Valero Benefit for Children, where net proceeds are distributed to children’s charities in communities where Valero has major operations. Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana is one of many beneficiaries of the Valero Benefit for Children.
Over the past two years, Valero has donated over $755,000 to Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana throughout its 5 refineries across the Texas Gulf Coast and State of Louisiana.
“Wishes are essential to showing children with critical illnesses that they have a community of caring supporters who wholeheartedly want to give them a piece of their childhood back with a wish,” said Shelly Millwee, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana. “Valero has been a tremendous piece of the puzzle when it comes to granting a child their dream wish. In fact, they have helped us grant over 50 wishes over the past two years. This tremendous support of our mission, coupled with the love and joy Valero brings to every wish they help grant, is unmatched.”
Some of the wishes Valero has helped grant have included: a wish to be an entrepreneur and start a freeze-dried candy business, be in a filming of Bunk’d, go to Colorado to see snow, go to Legoland, go to the World Series, and even have a birthday party with their twin sister.
Stella’s wish celebration comes at an opportune time, as it will be one of the main kickoffs for World Wish Month. During the month of April, “WishMakers,” like Valero, will continue to help bring to life the impact of a wish to eligible children across our chapter. “WishMakers,” is a term for anyone who steps up to take action for wish kids. Much like the very first wish granted on April 29, 1980, wishes have the power to bring entire communities together to rally around a child in need.
WISH CELEBRATION DETAILS:
WHAT: Wish Kid Stella and family will receive a wish send-off to Disney World thanks to Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana and wish sponsor, Valero
WHO: Wish Kid Stella, and family
Make-A-Wish Team: Shelly Millwee, Kelly Kersh, Ashley Osborn, Jessica Ansel
Make-A-Wish Volunteers: Marilyn Uptmor, Tamra Strano
Valero Houston Leadership & Employees
WHEN: Thursday, 4/11 from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: 751 95th St., Houston, TX 77012