Growing up I had always heard of Make A Wish, knew the basic premise of what they did, but never really appreciated what was involved or how and when the charity begun and where it is today.
Luckily for me, their website Wish.org provides an extensive biography of the charity and the work it performs. It allowed me to gain a fresh perspective on my own life and my own life threatening conditionThe other thing that stood out was the power of one person to make a difference. Make a Wish was founded in 1980. Seven years 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. In the meantime, Chris’s condition continued to decline.
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 and was given a hand made uniform to prove it!
On May 2nd 1980, 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. 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.
And thus was born the Make a Wish Foundation. And Chris’s mother, Linda Bergendahl-Pauling, was one of the three founding members. She wanted to see the smile on other childrens faces as they saw their dreams come true.
Fast forward thirty years and more than 187,000 wishes have come true! Not all children have terminal illnesses but all have a life threatening condition. Anyone from the age of two and a half through to eighteen may qualify for a wish.
All in all, I would have to say that this is one of the most important charities I can think of. The work they do, the happiness they bring – the Make a Wish Foundation has a lot to be proud of.
If you would like to help some of these kids’ wishes come true, there are many ways you can help. You can find them all here on Wish.Org.
Here is a video of one very special volunteer. Her story is so heartwarming. She is a Wish Volunteer who had survived cancer and was herself a recipient of a wish and was looking to give back.
