Let me tell you the power of one little girl from Michigan helping us fill people with hope.
Aubrey Cohoon’s only birthday wish on Jan. 19 was to help our charity grant the wishes of the kids we serve. It all started when she was challenged by her elementary school gym teacher to do the “cold water challenge,” an ice-cold water stunt to raise money for charity in which nominees jump into a large pool of cold water.
Aubrey accepted.
So, for her birthday this year, the 10-year-old asked for donations for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan, raising more than $2,000.
But, it didn’t stop there. Aubrey even recruited more than 20 team members to walk with her in the 7th Annual Walk for Wishes, our signature fundraiser designed to ensure a wish for every eligible child.
“I knew they help kids make their dreams come true, and I knew mine were coming true, so I wanted to help them,” Aubrey told a local news station. “’Cause I already had enough presents from the last birthday.”
And, Aubrey has already said she plans to once again ask for donations for Make-A-Wish on her 11th birthday.
I wanted to recognize Aubrey for her generous efforts in helping us share the power of a wish® because every bit of support from our community pushes us towards greater lengths to meet our vision.
Aubrey may be seen as a model to other kids her age who are afraid to go at it alone for similar reasons I had at her age. I’d like to think that Aubrey is a reminder of, as the saying goes, anyone who thinks they are too small to make a difference has never tried to fall asleep with a mosquito in the room.