Make-A-Wish Stories - Animals, Toys, and Shopping

I wish to go on a birthday shopping spree.

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:59:33 GMT

The store door closes behind Adan after a whirlwind shopping spree. Suddenly, Toys�R�Us seems a bit quieter. But the cheer and optimism he brought into the store with him lingers long after he�s left.

The Toys�R�Us team members who helped grant his wish know Adan faced an ordeal that few will ever understand or experience. And they know he faced his liver transplant with poise, determination and unfailing cheer.

Being part of his wish touches the hearts of Gloria and her team members at Toys�R�Us in Ventura, California. Together, they share Adan�s joy as he celebrates the triumph of his recovery � and his happiest birthday ever.

Gloria later wrote to the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® to share her experience during Adan�s visit. She explained how this Make-A-Wish^® visit made every team member feel more connected to their community.

�When any welcoming team member gets the opportunity to help make a child�s wish come true,� Gloria writes, �we go home with a feeling of SUCCESS.�

Since 1995, the Toys�R�Us Children�s Fund and Toys�R�Us, Inc. have supported the Make-A-Wish Foundation, providing more than $1.8 million to help grant the wishes of kids like Adan.

What kid wouldn't love to arrive for a shopping spree ... in a LIMO?

I wish to have a bulldog puppy.

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 23:29:51 GMT

Rochelle pages through the photo album. She sees the old English bulldog that she never met. Her parents took every photo before Rochelle was born.

One day, she thinks, I�ll have my own bulldog puppy.

As Rochelle goes through treatments to combat her leukemia, she imagines having her own bulldog. She talks to everyone about dogs. Every dog story she hears makes her smile.

Now it�s Christmas. Surely she�ll have her puppy. But times are too tough for her family. Her parents have to spread their resources so each of Rochelle�s five siblings can also have presents.

Rochelle understands. And she waits. And she meets her Make-A-Wish^® volunteers. She tells them her wish.

It�s springtime in Michigan. The chapter has its annual gala; Rochelle is the guest of honor. She wonders if her wish will come true tonight. Someone tells her to close her eyes and think of her wish. When she opens them � there�s a bulldog puppy in front of her.

Rochelle tries different names, seeing which one fits. Chihuahua? No. Underdog? No. Tinkerbell? Yes!

�It�s a beautiful name. And you have to pick a beautiful name for her because she�s a beautiful dog,� Rochelle explains. �Tinkerbell, I love you.�

Today, Rochelle and Tinkerbell grow together, best friends, inseparable. Rochelle thinks of her wish every day: It lives on in Tinkerbell � and in the promise of a happy, healthy future.

I wish to spend a night at the San Diego Zoo.

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 22:42:32 GMT

The giraffe turns and lowers its head. Its gaze falls on Gabe � and the tempting snack in his hand.

The giraffe comes closer � Gabe�s expression changes from slightly nervous to filled with wonder. The giraffe gently accepts his offering and chews, its huge head just a few feet from where Gabe watches, transfixed.

This is it! This is the kind of adventure Gabe craved when he wished to spend a night at the San Diego Zoo. He�s looked forward to his animal encounter, and it�s happened! Oh, and last night? Gabe slept in a tent � right next to a herd of elephants.

Living with Duchenne muscular dystrophy affects not only Gabe, but his entire family. It�s part of everything they do.

But during Gabe�s wish, they are like any other family at the
zoo. They take photos, they make memories. And for Gabe�
every smile and every laugh comes easier than ever before.

I wish to go on a shopping spree.

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 03:21:39 GMT

Derrick celebrated World Wish Day^® by cruising the aisles of his favorite stores, loading up on all of his most-desired toys. He even had the chance to zip through his local mall on a Segway scooter.

I wish to have my own horse.

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 03:20:34 GMT

Grace started horseback riding therapy sessions to increase her strength. But riding is more than therapy now � it�s fun. She now loves horses so much that she wished to have a thoroughbred horse of her own.

When her wish came true, she got more than a horse: Grace received her own custom riding saddle. Through its Stirring Up Wishes campaign, Betty Crocker generously funded Grace�s wish and even created a horse blanket embedded with the Betty Crocker logo. The horse, blanket and saddle were presented to Grace at New Mexico�s 96th Clovis Rodeo in front of approximately 7,200 rodeo fans.

I wish to go on a shopping spree.

Fri, 01 Apr 2011 02:44:53 GMT

Reva�s top priority on her list was finding the perfect prom dress. A limo ride and a walk down the red carpet at a local mall got her wish day started.

Along with trying on beautiful prom dresses, Reva also stopped in some of her other favorite stores to enhance her wardrobe.

I wish to have a barrel-racing horse.

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 23:41:44 GMT

Morgan had a plan � to ride a horse in barrel races just like her mother, Carol, used to when she was a teen. She first tried it on an old mare, with the promise of getting a real barrel-racing horse in the future.

Then, in 2008, she was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a condition that affects her bone marrow.

Morgan spent the next eight months in and out of the hospital. She was so depressed by the ordeal that it took her awhile to warm up to the idea of having the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® grant her wish. She spent most of her time at home, quiet and introverted.

Morgan�s Wish Takes Her Back to Happiness

Finally, and almost reluctantly, Morgan unveiled her wish � to have a barrel horse. It was a wish that took her back to a time before the hospital visits, the treatments, the loneliness, the depression.

Wish granters set out to grant Morgan�s wish. But they were also determined to surprise her. They carefully crafted plans in secret to unveil her wish at a horse show in Memphis. Morgan thought they were just going to the show to help a friend get a horse trailer fixed.

Then, her wish unfolded when the show announcer asked Morgan and her family to come to the middle of the arena. The announcer then announced �Morgan, your wish has come true.�

Generous Teen Offers Horse for Morgan

Morgan then met her new horse and swung into the saddle. According to a horse publication in Tennessee, the 10-year-old mare named Caydo was raised and ridden by a girl Morgan�s age, who is a top barrel racer. The girl was willing to give her horse up for Morgan�s wish, even though she�d ridden the horse since she was just 3 years old.

�There was not a dry eye in the house,� Carol says. �Morgan just kept saying, �I can�t believe it. I can�t believe it.��

In addition to the horse, Morgan received free barrel racing lessons. Now, the family spends most of its weekends at horse shows.

Wish Lifts Health, Restores Spirit

Carol says Morgan�s depression has lifted. She is convinced that Morgan�s condition changed at least in part because of the joy her wish brought her.

Morgan is improving so much that she may not need a bone marrow transplant her doctor had planned. Just as importantly, her spirit and personality are returning.

�She�s gone from 48 pills a day to just two a day,� Carol says. �It�s so awesome how she�s able to ride, and even talk back to me a little bit!�

I wish to ride a horse.

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:35:06 GMT

Pierce combed his horse�s mane and played patty-cake on horseback.

Five-year-old Pierce, with his chubby-cheeked smile and mop of blond hair, is his parents� pride and joy. Bill and Elena have seen their son persevere through challenge after challenge, beginning with the Down syndrome diagnosis he received at birth. Still their little boy�s bright blue T-shirt with a yellow smiley face said it all � Pierce is a �happy camper.�

Pierce�s medical condition caused many developmental delays. He had trouble standing and speaking and had never taken steps on his own. But these setbacks were nothing compared to the news Bill and Elena received three days before Pierce�s third birthday.

�His doctors told us Pierce had leukemia,� Elena said. �After everything Pierce already had to deal with, this seemed like the worst news we could hear.�

The entire family dug in with the same determination that helped Pierce cope with his other obstacles, and he started in on his first year of chemotherapy treatment. One bright spot did arise from his leukemia diagnosis, however. Nurses told Pierce he was eligible for a wish.

Elena and Bill recalled the moments they had seen their son the happiest. For his fourth birthday party, they took Pierce to see miniature animals. There, Pierce got to ride a pony and couldn�t get enough of trotting around on horseback. He took turn after turn � eagerly filling in for the other kids at his party who were too scared to saddle up. Although Pierce couldn�t articulate his heartfelt wish, his parents knew he would love another chance to ride a horse.

�We had been reading about the incredible effects (riding) can have for patients like Pierce,� Elena said. �We knew Pierce loved horses, and we wanted a wish that would be best for him long term.�

After his first day in the saddle, Pierce walked across a room on his own for the first time!

Wish granters from the Make-A-Wish Foundation� found a ranch, Chastain Horse Park, that specializes in therapeutic riding, and it was only 15 miles from Pierce�s home.

At his first lesson, Pierce was shy � it was the first time he had ever seen a full-sized horse. Instructors helped him overcome his nerves by helping him sit side-saddle as his gentle horse remained still. Pierce brushed his horse�s mane as he got more comfortable astride his new friend.

Everyone agreed that Pierce�s first session was a success � but they had no idea how successful until a few days later at Pierce�s physical therapy appointment. As usual, Pierce�s therapist gave him a ball and told him to take it to his dad across the room. Pierce had never been able to perform this task before. But to everyone�s surprise and delight, Pierce walked across the room unassisted � and then he did it four more times.

Elena rushed to share her incredible news with Pierce�s wish granters. In an e-mail, she wrote, �He's really doing great. The Tuesday after his first session, he walked across the room five times in physical therapy all by himself. Everyone was dumbfounded. We're wondering if being on the horse gave him just a little extra confidence. We'll never know, I suppose. But it's great to see him walking around the house.�

The hope and joy of Pierce�s wish continues with each week he has a lesson on horseback. �Now he even looks forward to trotting,� Elena said. �He�s talking more � even yelling � now. He knows his horse, Missy, by name and always asks to �ride Issy.��

�[The wish] has been really wonderful for our family,� she added. �He�s just benefited from it so much.�

I wish to ride a horse.

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 21:40:48 GMT

Sitting high atop his trusty steed, Markell was ready to rope and ride.

A good cowboy can do anything when he�s sitting tall astride his trusty horse. Seven-year-old Markell dreamed of getting in the saddle, but his sickle cell anemia and frequent blood transfusions didn�t leave him much time for adventure � until he made his wish.

Wish granters from the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Mississippi were determined to make Markell�s first horseback experience a true joy ride, and they started by making sure he looked the part. Boots & More, a local retailer, invited Markell and his family to a shopping spree that would make any cowboy kick up his spurs.

The store owners surprised Markell with a wish cake, and they outfitted him in a new blue button-down shirt, blue jeans, chaps, a belt and shiny belt buckle, and of course, cowboy boots. Markell completed the look with a black 10-gallon hat and then moseyed over to the Chimneyville BBQ restaurant for some chow.

Next, the young cowboy set off to learn that his beloved horses are capable of much more than trotting over the trails. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus welcomed Markell to a rehearsal, where he met the trainers of its beautiful appaloosa horses. He also was invited to feed and pet the prized horses. And later that night, when he and his family took their seats at the circus performance, the announcer welcomed them in front of a packed house.

A true cowboy at heart, Markell instantly bonded with all the horses he met.

Markell woke up the next day ready to take the reins himself. He and his family traveled to a nearby ranch, and the owners introduced him to Storm, his gentle steed for the day.

Markell was thrilled by his view of the world on horseback. �His face just brightened, and his eyes widened,� said Chris Kennedy of the Mississippi chapter. �He lit up. You could see in his face how much fun he was having.�

The ranch also surprised Markell�s whole family with horseback rides so they all could hit the trail together. The experience �really gave the family a chance to be a family again,� Kennedy said.

At day�s end, Markell didn�t want to say goodbye to his new friend, Storm. The aspiring cowboy�s love of horses is here to stay.

� By Kathryn Roethel

All photographs provided by Christina Canon & Chris Kennedy.

I wish to go on a Macy's shopping spree.

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 23:28:48 GMT

By Kathryn Roethel

Alyson found lots of holiday cheer on her Macy�s shopping spree in New York City.

This year, Thanksgiving held immense joy for 6-year-old Alyson and her family. This sweet little girl�s wish � to have a holiday shopping spree at Macy�s in New York City � came true. And Macy�s even treated Alyson to an extra surprise � VIP seats for the Macy�s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Alyson, who along with her twin sister, Andrea, has cystic fibrosis, wished to travel with her family to New York for Thanksgiving week.

For Alyson, a holiday shopping spree at Macy�s was a dream come true. She wanted to be sure wish-granting volunteers knew Macy�s was her favorite store, so she wrote it down for them and underlined it several times. Employees at Macy�s flagship Herald Square store got Alyson�s message; they were ready to welcome her with a personal shopper when she arrived for her shopping spree.

But Alyson loves more about Macy�s than just the shopping: Watching the Macy�s Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade on television is a Thanksgiving-morning tradition in her family � a tradition that she was able to live out in person this year when she and her family took their seats along the famous parade route.

Alyson and her family enjoyed VIP seats for the Macy�s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Macy�s also surprised Alyson with a rare behind-the-scenes look at the parade staging area. Alyson saw the final touches being added to the famous floats and watched her favorite balloon characters come to life as crews filled them with helium.

Alyson�s wish week was filled with the excitement of holiday shopping at Macy�s, the magic of the Macy�s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the thrill of seeing a spectacular city at its finest. And most of all, it gave Alyson and her family memories befitting the Thanksgiving holiday � memories of blessings and joy.

Learn more about Macy�s support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and how you can help.

I wish to have a fashion shopping spree in New York City.

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:45:02 GMT

By Kathryn Roethel

Jordan tries on a coveted Louis Vuitton backpack and models it for his family�s approval.

Thanks to his wish to have a fashion shopping spree in New York City, 17-year-old Jordan has a new pair of Gucci shoes in his closet � a pair that he vows will only touch his feet on the most worthy occasions.

The shoes, and several other coveted designer items, are the result of a wish that began with Jordan�s love of the fashion world. From reading stacks of style magazines to watching episodes of the fashion design reality show �Project Runway,� he knows what styles are making their marks on the catwalk. He�s even been known to sew extra embellishments onto his family�s clothes to create his own fashion statements.

Jordan was diagnosed with autoimmune deficiency syndrome, and when wish granters from the Make-A-Wish Foundation� of Arizona met him, they marveled at the many photographs and magazine picture collages that he created to adorn his hospital room walls. Jordan�s smile was clearly at its brightest when he was in front of a camera.

Wish granters helped Jordan prepare for his New York shopping spree by organizing a sendoff party hosted by Neiman Marcus and the Scottsdale Fashion Square Mall. Fashion Square staff members gave him a tour of his favorite stores to inspire some ideas for his big trip and showered him with gifts before he left. Next was an exotic three-course lunch at Thaifoon, where Jordan�s extended family surprised him, and wish granters gave him new luggage and a digital camera.

The following week, Jordan and his family boarded a plane bound for New York. It was the first-ever airplane flight for Jordan and his sisters. Once in The Big Apple, Jordan�s Fifth Avenue shop-a-thon began. A limousine picked him up at his hotel and chauffeured him to all the stores he�d dreamed of: Macy�s, Bloomingdale�s and Gucci. Personal shoppers awaited him in each location, filling up dressing rooms with the hottest fall fashions, just like the ones he�d seen in the magazines.

Taking a well-deserved break from shopping, Jordan shows off cologne from his favorite store, Gucci.

Jordan felt like a star getting into the limo with his arms full of shopping bags. �People thought I was a celebrity when they saw me and the limo,� he said. �They thought my dad was my bodyguard!�

There was still more to come on Jordan�s New York experience. He and his sisters were awestruck by the huge-sized toys at FAO Schwartz and the Ferris wheel in Toys R Us. The family took in a New York Liberty WNBA game and a tour of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center and School. The dance students were proud to show Jordan around and urged him to think about studying there one day. A visit to Times Square and tastes of New York pizza and hot dogs from the many street-side vendors added even more flavor to Jordan�s trip.

Jordan�s family returned home from their excursion with twice as many suitcases as they had taken, all stuffed with Jordan�s gifts and purchases.

And those Gucci shoes? Jordan says he�s worn them once � and slipping them on brought back great memories of his trendy days in New York City.

I wish to have a shopping spree.

Tue, 15 May 2007 15:09:00 GMT

With the help of her Macy�s personal shopper, Louise filled several shopping bags with the latest fashions, footwear, jewelry and even a coveted Coach purse.

Louise, 15, has always had a knack for filling shopping bags with just the right outfits and accessories. When this charismatic teen had a chance to make a wish, she told the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey that she wanted to test her shopping skills in New York City, one of the world�s fashion capitals.

Louise, who was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, began her dream day of shopping in super-star style. She arrived in New York�s Herald Square in a white stretch limo. At her request, the limo was equipped with a cooler full of Shirley Temples to drink.

Louise�s shopping destination was one of the most famous retailers in New York City: Macy�s. The store manager and associates greeted her at the door and introduced her to her personal shopper, who was ready and willing to outfit Louise in the finest fabrics, the latest styles and the works of the hottest designers.

By the shopping trip�s end, Louise walked away with brimming bags filled with new clothes, sparkling jewelry, trendy shoes and � her favorite purchase � a Coach bag.

Full of smiles and gratitude, Louise told her wish granters, �This wish was more than I ever expected. My personal shopper really made me feel like a princess for the day. Thank you everyone at Make-A-Wish and Macy�s for truly making my dream come true.�

In the 2006 holiday season, in addition to granting magical wishes like Louise�s Macy�s generated $4.3 million for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Thanks for Sharing debuted as a national Macy's initiative in 2003 - a distinctive effort from which customers benefit during the holiday season, and charities benefit throughout the year. Customers join the program for $25. In return, they receive a Reward Card valued at 10 percent of all their Macy's credit card net purchases made during the holiday period. Plus, for each Thanks for Sharing program member, Macy's donates $10 to charity.

I wish to have the perfect Christmas with my family

Tue, 21 Nov 2006 01:05:25 GMT

Travis's perfect Christmas wish took him and his family to Santa's vacation home where the elves had been busy decking the halls with holiday cheer.

Kids around the world send Santa their wish lists each Christmas, but when 5-year-old Travis made his special wish for �Santa Claus to visit with big presents and give me a real Christmas with my family,� Santa dispatched elves from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Rhode Island to make his wish come true.

Travis, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor, soon discovered the true meaning of a favorite Christmas carol: �The Twelve Days of Christmas.�

On the first day of his Christmas wish, Travis discovered one big box outside his front door, along with a letter from Santa. The box was full of Christmas decorations for Travis and his family to deck their halls. And just as the song says � 11 more days of magical gifts followed.

On the 12th day of Christmas, Santa finally arrived, toting big presents for Travis and a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.

On the second day, Travis received a camera and film to capture his Christmas memories. On the third day, Travis gobbled three kinds of Christmas sweets from Mrs. Claus.

On succeeding days, Travis was showered with favorite Christmas films and a DVD/VCR combination player, CDs of Christmas music and a CD player, plus a stocking for each member of his family, including his five brothers and sisters.

On the 11th day of Christmas, Travis�s 11 candy canes were delivered by a festively decorated limousine � and Travis and his family were invited to go for a ride.

When the limo finally reached its destination, Travis found himself at the doorstep of none other than Santa�s vacation home on the Rhode Island shore. The enchanting cabin burst with Christmas cheer � outdoor lights, wreaths, candles and decorations, flannel Christmas sheets on the beds and Christmas cookies on the table. In the center of the living room stood a beautiful Christmas tree that Travis trimmed with his family while singing Christmas carols and sharing Christmas cookies and hot cocoa.

On the 12th day of Christmas, Santa finally arrived, toting big presents for Travis and a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings.

For Travis, this spectacular holiday was beyond his wildest dreams, and there�s no doubt the power of his Christmas wish will stay with him all year long.

At day's end, Travis fell asleep, dreaming sweet dreams of his perfect Christmas wish.

I wish to have an elelphant

Fri, 25 Aug 2006 23:17:19 GMT

Some people say that less is more, but not 7-year-old Caleb. That�s why he made a jumbo-sized wish to be the honorary owner of an elephant.

Caleb, who is being treated for leukemia, has always wanted a pachyderm pal. But since elephants are less-than-ideal house pets, the best way for him to get his wish was to adopt an elephant. Wish granters from the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oklahoma found an Asian elephant and arranged for Caleb to be his honorary owner.

The boy and his elephant bonded quickly over Caleb�s offerings of strawberries and donuts. After the two met, they were ready for a party to celebrate their friendship. Caleb introduced the elephant to his guests during a fun-filled wish party, complete with clowns, pony rides and tasty barbecue.

The elephant added some of his own fun to the celebration, showing off his sports and musical talents: He swatted a soccer ball around and played the harmonica with his trunk.

As the honorary owner, Caleb can visit the elephant at the sanctuary whenever he likes. After he had his wish granted in June, Caleb eagerly planned to bring more strawberries and donuts, plus some peanuts to feast on.

�I think we may have created a monster!� wrote Caleb�s mother, Shanna, to the Make-A-Wish Foundation after the wish.

Shanna said the experience was everything Caleb anticipated.

�The wish team did a terrific and spectacular job with a difficult wish,� she wrote. �We would not change anything.�

It�s sure to be a wish that Caleb will remember for a long, long time.

I wish to go on a shopping spree to help homeless children

Tue, 22 Aug 2006 21:28:23 GMT

Twelve-year-old Jordan didn't need a long time to decide on his wish, but his request for a shopping spree from the Greater Bay Area Make-A-Wish Foundation� had a catch. Jordan wanted all the toys, clothes, and other items he purchased to go to homeless children in his community in California.

Not surprisingly, word of Jordan's wish spread, and two local organizations compiled a "wish list" to help him identify the items most important to the homeless children. In the weeks leading up to Jordan's shopping spree, retailers and shoppers learned about his altruistic plan and chipped in by making purchases to give him a head start.

With excitement in the air, the time for Jordan's shopping spree arrived. At his first store � Wal-Mart � every manager, associate, and clerk was standing outside to greet him with smiles and tears of joy. Because the big-hearted boy had been featured in a newspaper story, many shoppers recognized Jordan during the day. They offered him words of encouragement and more. Some even gave him money to add to his shopping spree allowance, while others bought items right off the gift registry.

Throughout the day, Jordan found that many of the stores on his list already had carts and bins filled with merchandise bought by shoppers and employees to support his wish. Additionally, every store gave him a discount, a check to supplement his spree, and a special gift just for him!

For part of his experience, Jordan asked to meet the kids who would be benefiting from his kindness. To accomplish this, the Greater Bay Area chapter threw a celebration at a ranch in Napa for Jordan's friends and families, and the families of the homeless children.

The young shopper arrived at the party aboard a fire truck with its sirens blaring. The kids in attendance greeted him with hand-made banners, cheers, applause, and thank-you cards. The fun continued with everyone feasting on Domino's pizza, donated cookies, and Cold Stone Creamery ice cream. The 150 revelers were also entertained with sing-along music, animals, a clown, and face painting.

In addition to the gratitude of the homeless children, Jordan also earned the admiration of the mayor of Napa. During the party, the mayor announced how proud he was of Jordan and presented him with a key to the city! In another highlight, Jordan cried with happiness as he tore open the gift wrapping on his own video camera.

At the end of the day, the families began climbing aboard the trolleys to take them back to their shelters. Jordan gave each kid a hug and a specially-selected present, wrapped that morning by his family and Make-A-Wish� volunteers. In a fitting end, each child graciously told him "thank you" before boarding the trolley.

I wish to have a swing set with a house attached

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 23:03:31 GMT

Marychelo is a 4-year-old bundle of energy. Not even her illness can slow her down. Marychelo loves to play outside, and when given the chance to select her most heartfelt wish, she wanted to have "a swing set with a house attached."

The rambunctious child had no idea when or if her wish would be granted. One day her mom took Marychelo to visit a relative's house, and while she was away, the swing set was constructed. Marychelo's wish was just hours away from coming true.

In commemoration of the 20th birthday of Make-A-Wish Foundation^® and Marychelo's wish come true, friends, family, volunteers, and local television stations gathered at Marychelo's house for a surprise wish presentation party. There was even fried chicken, Marychelo's favorite dish, waiting for her upon her arrival.

Words could not accurately describe the joy evident in Marychelo's eyes and in her smile when she saw that her one most heartfelt wish came true. And Marychelo's swing set was no ordinary backyard toy. The set featured three swings, a rope swing, and two penthouses on top. Lots of hugs and kisses courtesy of an exuberant 4-year-old added to the festivities.

I wish to have a horse

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 22:21:04 GMT

Thirteen-year-old Kimberly's love for horses found its way into her Make-A-Wish^® experience. When questioned by volunteers from the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of the Tri-Counties, Kimberly explained she wanted a horse of her own. The wish granters set about making her equestrian dream come true, but wanted to involve the teen's family in all decisions about Kimberly's new horse, including boarding, training and equipment. Special attention was also paid to choosing the best stable and trainer.

Kimberly was allowed to choose her own horse and found a good candidate named General Lee through an Internet site. Her mom drove her to the horse's ranch, and Kim rode General Lee four times. She fell in love with him, but when General Lee was delivered, he proved to be the wrong fit. The search began again but ended at the same ranch. Smokey emerged as the obvious choice for Kim, and a veterinarian exam confirmed he was healthy.

With Kimberly now having her horse, the next issue to tackle was housing. Although Kimberly's family had the space to keep Smokey at home, the family agreed it was best to keep the horse at a stable for the first year. Of course, the stable had to be kid-friendly. When the right facility was selected, an insurance company donated medical/mortality insurance for Smokey at no charge.

To round out the wish, the Tri-Counties chapter bought Kimberly a helmet, boots and grooming equipment. Kimberly's wish also included 25 riding and horse-care lessons, plus a personal trainer selected by her mom. Kimberly will be supervised by an adult while she is around the horse until she can demonstrate to the stable operator that she is ready to work with Smokey on her own. The teen's first goal is to meet the minimum competency level set by the stable.

I wish to have a new pair of cowboy boots

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 21:48:38 GMT

Three-year-old Christian is a growing cowboy. He figured out he was getting bigger when he started outgrowing his ostrich cowboy boots. Panicked, he asked volunteers with the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of North Texas for new ones. Wish granters made arrangements for a wish that would let Christian and his feet get the attention they deserved.

When the wish day rolled around, the little buckaroo and his parents stepped into a stretch limousine that took them to a western wear store. The store manager greeted Christian with a new cowboy hat and a special discount. Just like a new sheriff in an unruly town, the boy got down to business, picking out two new pairs of boots, five shirts and six pairs of pants. While perusing the store, Christian found a stick horse � which is a plush horse head attached to a long stick body � and brought it into the barn-themed dressing room. The little wrangler explained that his new livestock needed to be corralled to get some sleep.

In a show of generosity, Christian also picked out a pair of new boots for each of his six brothers. The tiny vaquero added some accessories to his new wardrobe, including a bolo tie, sheriff�s badge, belt buckle, and canteen. Yee haw!

Afterwards, Christian moseyed on down to an electronics store, where he took a break from traditional cowboy entertainment, such as campfires and harmonicas, and instead opted for a TV/VCR, stereo and PlayStation. Those purchases concluded his shopping spree, so Christian and his posse headed home. When they arrived, Christian�s mother presented the wish granters with fresh tamales as a show of appreciation.

I wish to have a pool table and accessories

Wed, 16 Aug 2006 20:34:26 GMT

Seventeen-year-old Danny had his mind made up when a wish-granting team from the Make-A-Wish Foundation� of South Dakota arrived at his home. He loves to shoot pool, so his wish was an easy one. He wished to have a pool table and accessories.

Wish granters suggested to Danny that he scout out styles of pool tables and find his favorite. The young billiards enthusiast did just that, picking a Camden II table from Brunswick. The Brunswick name has been around awhile, as John Brunswick started building tables back in 1845. In fact, some of the older Brunswick tables today are worth more than $100,000.

Only a few days after spotting his dream table at the store, workers were at Danny�s house assembling it. Volunteers with the South Dakota chapter arranged for a home pizza party to celebrate the wish with Danny�s family and friends. The budding pool shark even played a game against his wish granters!

Danny�s sister, Mandie, had a wish granted three years earlier with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She wished to have her book published. It is titled Through the Eyes of a Child. In it, she chronicles her diagnosis, and emotional and physical setbacks � all in an effort to let other kids with disabilities know that they are not alone.

The siblings� parents offered their appreciation to the chapter, saying, �Our family would like to thank you for all your kindness you�ve shown. You�ve done so much for our kids and made them both so happy.�

I wish to be a zookeeper

Tue, 15 Aug 2006 21:58:05 GMT

This particular December day was brisk and sunny in New York City. It was especially sunny for 8-year-old Avril, of Manhattan, who will remember it as the day her wish came true; and for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York, which celebrated its 5,000 wish granted.

Diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition in 2001, Avril recently completed treatment and was ready to think about happy adventures. A girl who enjoys indoor and outdoor activities, she is a lover of animals � especially dogs, horses, and frogs. In fact, she would love to have her own horse one day. Avril wished to meet animals up close � to see the colors of their eyes and touch their fur or feathers.

The Bronx Zoo was the perfect place to fulfill her wish, and the zoo declared Avril �honorary zookeeper for a day.� And, as a preamble to her full-day experience, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg assisted Avril as she flipped the switch in November for the Bronx Zoo's Holiday Lights.

Accompanying Avril on her wish adventure were her mother, Beth; her sister, Meryl; her brother, Jarrod; and her best friend, Sophie � all animal lovers.

Avril's wish day began with a visit to the zoo's education department, where zookeepers supervised the hands-on experiences Avril and her entourage enjoyed. They checked out Lily, a silvery-cheeked hornbill bird from Africa; held and nuzzled Vada, a fennec fox; and they fed Frankie, the two-toed sloth, and Sam, the tortoise. But the highlight was visiting a wallaby named Nachman, who snacked on whipped cream. The children listened to Nachman stories as they browsed through photo albums documenting his growth.

In the bird area, they fed penguins, and Avril took on the role of medic as she applied a special cream to a flamingo's sore, cracked feet. In the new Tiger Mountain exhibit, Avril and her crew played tug-of-war with Taurus, a 300-pound Siberian tiger cub. Holding the rope in his teeth (and with a secure barrier between them), Taurus showed Avril the mighty power of a tiger cub. And, thanks to an observant full-time zookeeper, Avril now has one of Taurus� whiskers � a rare find and a great wish memory.

Following lunch, Avril and her crew received official Bronx Zoo honorary zookeeper credentials � appropriate recognition of these Wildlife Conservation Society members who take their responsibilities seriously. Brother Jarrod even brought a pocketful of quarters for donating to the endangered species. Assessing the experience as she headed for the limousine that would take her home, Avril said, �It was really cool! I got to see all these really cool animals and take care of them.� But the perfect end to the day occurred when Avril opened the door of the limousine and saw the many, many stuffed zoo animals that stared back at her. Shrieks and squeals of joy erupted.

�My heart is full,� Avril's mom noted. �She has been through so much, and it�s nice to have a break from all that to do something that means so much to her.�