Last night I arrived back in Phoenix, AZ to spend the next couple of days attending a national partner/leadership summit that Make-A-Wish Foundation is hosting. One to One Interactive provides pro-bono services for Make-A-Wish after we selected them as a primary foundations that would be supported by our formal corporate philanthropic efforts (which focuses on programs that help children in need).
It is always touching to meet the many wonderful people from around the world that donate their time and energy to help grant wishes to children who are suffering from life threatening medical conditions. This truly is going to be a very special week for me.
(Below is an excerpt from wish.org regarding the first wish the Foundation ever granted.)
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® traces its beginning to one boy’s wish. In 1980, 7-year-old Chris Greicius was being treated for leukemia. Every day, he dreamed of becoming a police officer.
U.S. Customs Officer Tommy Austin had befriended Chris and his mother, Linda Bergendahl-Pauling. He also promised Chris a ride in a police helicopter. When Chris’ health worsened, Austin contacted Ron Cox, an Arizona Department of Public Safety officer, and planned a day that would lift Chris’ spirits.
On April 29, 1980, Austin and a caring group of DPS personnel started Chris’ day with a tour of the city in a department helicopter, which also flew him to headquarters. Three cruisers and a motorcycle officer greeted him before his meeting with the DPS command staff. There, Chris was sworn in as the first honorary DPS patrolman in state history.
His experience didn’t stop there. Cox contacted John’s Uniforms, which agreed to make a custom-tailored DPS uniform for Chris. The store owner and two seamstresses worked through the night to finish it. The officers presented the official uniform to Chris on May 1 and arranged a motorcycle proficiency test so he could earn wings to pin on his uniform. Needless to say, Chris passed the test with flying colors on his battery-operated motorcycle.
On May 2, Chris was back in the hospital. He asked to arrange the room so he could always see his uniform, his motorcycle helmet and his “Smokey Bear”-style campaign hat. DPS motor officer Frank Shankwitz presented Chris with his motorcycle wings. He accepted them with a smile that lit up the room.
The following day, Chris passed away, but not before seeing his dream come true and experiencing the hope, strength and joy that came from receiving his wish.
Currently, there are 68 chapters throughout the United States and 22 international affiliates. Below, I have listed ways that you can get involved to support this wonderful organization.
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