These are some facts of the make of wish
"We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy"
Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® has enriched the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions through its wish-granting work. The Foundation's mission reflects the life-changing impact that a Make-A-Wish® experience has on children, families, referral sources, donors, sponsors and entire communities.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation was founded in 1980 after a little boy named Chris Greicius realized his heartfelt wish to become a police officer. Since its humble beginnings, the organization has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon, reaching more than 167,000 children around the world.
Although it has become one of the world's most well-known charities, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has maintained the grassroots fulfillment of its mission.
A network of nearly 25,000 volunteers enable the Make-A-Wish Foundation to serve children with life-threatening medical conditions. Volunteers serve as wish granters, fundraisers, special events assistants and in numerous other capacities.
As the Foundation continues to mature, its mission will remain steadfast. Wish children of the past, present and future will have an opportunity to share the power of a wish®. Source http://www.wish.org/about/our_mission -Victor Squire 1/27/09 9:04 AM
Make A wish of AZ's home page
Make a wish's AZ mission statement
In April of 1980, a young boy named Chris was dying from leukemia. A friend knew that Chris wanted to be a motorcycle officer when he grew up. This very special friend spoke to a member of the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Highway Patrol, about Chris. Within days, several motorcycle and patrol officers from DPS stopped by to say “hello.” After meeting the 7-year-old, the officers wanted to do more.
On April 29, 1980, arrangements were made to take Chris for a ride in a Ranger helicopter with a local news reporter who filmed Chris’ dream coming true. A ride in a police car and an opportunity to drive (with a fellow sergeant assisting) followed. To top it all off, Chris got to ride on a motorcycle with sirens blaring. He was personally escorted on a tour of the Department while being carried in the arms of various officers. A few hours later, Christopher was sworn in as the first, and only, honorary Arizona Highway Patrolman in the state’s history—complete with a Smoky Bear hat, tour of the radio room, official badge and signed certificate. Chris’ comments included “Neato!” and “Hey, that’s my name…Chris Greicius!”
Several days later, a local businessman associated with the DPS and two employees of John’s Uniforms donated a custom-made highway patrolman’s uniform to Chris. That morning patrol cars and motorcycles poured down the street into the driveway to see Chris one more time. Earning his wings was next, as he mounted his battery-powered motorcycle that had taken the place of his wheelchair, from time to time, over the last year. The obstacle course set up in the driveway was no deterrent to Chris, and a pair of custom-made wings, donated by a local jeweler, was added to the patch on his small uniform.
Chris succumbed to the leukemia that had ravaged his body on May 3, 1980, just three days after his wish. The motorcycle officers decided that full honors were in order for their fallen officer who had so touched them.
The dreams of this young boy did not die with him, but instead live on in the wishes of thousands of children who suffer from life-threatening medical conditions. Thirty-eight dollars, five people and nine months after Chris’ passing, the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted its first wish to a boy named Bopsy who wanted to be a fireman.
By January of 1982, the Make-A-Wish Foundation was becoming well known. NBC aired a television special on the Foundation featuring another wish child. This inspiring story touched the heart of the nation, and the grassroots organization that started out of the desire to see a smile on the face of a critically ill child was about to grow…and grow…and grow.
(Paraphrased from a document by Linda Bergendahl Pauling, -Victor Squire 1/27/09 9:12 AM Co-Founder of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Chris’ mom) -Victor Squire 1/27/09 9:13 AM Source http://www.wishaz.org/about_us/about_us00.html -Victor Squire 1/27/09 9:09 AM
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