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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