2012 Make-A-Wish Oregon Newsletter

Conall’s wish to bring friends to a Timbers game came true with the help of the Portland Timbers, Alaska Airlines and the Timbers Army.

Before game day, Conall received a VIP tour of JELD-WEN Field and met the team in the locker room, where he received his own “kit” and personalized locker. He led the team in warm-ups before practice and spent some one-on-one time with his favorite player Sal Zizzo.

On game night, Alaska Airlines donated its Timbers suite for Conall and eight of his friends, along with his parents and siblings to watch the match. Before the game, representatives from the Timbers Army presented Conall and the suite

guests special Timbers Army scarves and gear, and then Conall and his friends went to the field to be “bench warmers” while watching the team warm up.

“I’m a member of the Timbers Army!” exclaimed Conall after leading thousands of Timbers Army fans in a chant while waving a coveted flag. Other highlights of the night were helping Timber Joey and Kenny Cooper present the log piece to the crowd after the game and receiving Sal Zizzo’s game jersey.

When I Root, I Root for the Timbers!

Wish.Stories of hope, strength and joy • 2011

hope. Volunteers, 3strength. Local Wish Highlights, 4–5joy. Events & Fundraising, 6–7well. Where Are They Now?, 8

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oregon

Every April 29, the Make-A-Wish Foundation commemorates World Wish Day, a global celebration of wish granting. All Make-A-Wish®

chapters and affiliates across the globe grant a wish on this occasion. Our local chapter sent Maile, 10, of Portland to Disneyland® Resort with a VIP send-off at PDX.

World Wish Day®: Oregon’s Maile Goes

to Disneyland!

2 www.orwish.org

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!With more than 3,000 fans on Facebook and nearly 1,200 followers on Twitter, please join the conversation and share the power of a wish® with social media.

Facebook.com/ORWish Twitter.com/ORWish

NOTE: This publication is now an annual print newsletter distributed every fall. Please sign up at orwish.org to receive our monthly e-news to keep up to date on local events and wishes granted!

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We are often are asked about how many wishes we grant each year. We proudly know 176 children and their families in Oregon and Southwest Washington received a heartfelt wish in the last year. When these children are granted a wish, we know they receive more than just a magical experience for a day, two days, or a week. This wish experience improves the quality of life for the entire family. A wish is much more than a child wishing to have a princess party at Disneyland, taking their family on a road trip to Yellowstone, or meeting the Portland Timbers. Our community volunteers who grant wishes say the wish granting process heightens both their ability to see the best in others and their commitment to actively help more people in need.

We know that thousands of individuals across America are touched each day by the magic of a wish. People tell us with a smile on their face about how they met a wish family on an airplane, or passed them at a theme park, on a cruise ship, or in Times Square. Wishes give back to the people who help support a wish or witness a child’s dream being granted. From wish volunteers to sports fans, airline pilots to pirates, each can tell a tale of how their lives have been enriched by a child’s wish. We call this ‘wish impact’ and it is happening every day!

We thank you, our community of supporters, for making this impact in our region – giving children and their parents alike a vital experience of more happiness and less fear, empowering them to take back control of their lives and to keep up the fight against their life-threatening medical conditions.

Best wishes,

Andrew Asato Executive Director

Letter from Chapter Leadership

hope

.W

ish t

hem

Oregon chapter Executive Director Andrew Asato with wish kid Conall at the 2011 Food, Wine & Wishes gala and auction event.

Published by theMake-A-Wish Foundation® of Oregon

Also Serving Clark County, Washington2000 SW 1st Avenue, Suite 410

Portland, Oregon 97201800-934-WISHwww.orwish.org

©2011 Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oregon, Inc.

Volume 26

Make-A-Wish Foundation®, Make-A-Wish®, Adopt-A-Wish®, Wishmaker®, Share the Power of a Wish®,

Walk For Wishes®, Kids For Wish Kids® and the swirl-and-star logo are all registered trademarks of the

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of America.All Rights Reserved.

About Our ChapterThanks to the generosity of hundreds of volunteers and donors, the special dreams of more than 2,300 local children have been fulfilled since this chapter began in 1983. Of each dollar spent in 2010, 84 cents were used for program services, 12 cents for fundraising and 4 cents for management.

If you’re interested in making a donation of time, money, product or service, please call 800-934-WISH or visit our web site at www.orwish.org.

Our MissionThe Make-A-Wish Foundation®

grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

We dedicate this newsletter to the memory of the wish children who have passed away in the past year. Each child has touched our lives and hearts. As always, it is our honor and privilege to serve such courageous children.

Our ThanksSincere thanks to Lithtex Printing Solutions for generously donating its printing services for the production of this newsletter.

3

“I knew that I wanted to be involved with Make-A-Wish on the day of Tristan’s wish party. I just didn’t know at what level or when I would be able to get involved. Knowing how Make-A-Wish had touched my family...it was a no-brainer. It was something I felt I needed to do – being a wish granter just felt right.

Tristan’s wish [to have a big party] was a bright spot in the darkest days of our lives. It brought family and friends together to celebrate

with Tristan and celebrate his life. Watching him have a fun day was absolutely priceless and something that we couldn’t have done without Make-A-Wish. It is something that none of us will ever forget!”

“My son Chris was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at age 15 and was in treatment for 17 months. He found out about Make-A-Wish and asked for a laptop computer. Chris spent most of his time in the hospital and the computer allowed him to stay in touch with friends.

I decided to become directly involved with Make-A-Wish and became a wish granter. Make-A-Wish had done something great for my son and I hoped to make this happen for other kids with cancer, especially leukemia.”

“It was great to go [to Disneyland] after one of the most stressful times in our lives and be able to enjoy ourselves. It was amazing to know we were doing something that Caleb had wished for.

I am forever thankful to this organization and this is why I will be a volunteer forever!”

WISH PARENTS GRANT LOCAL WISHESVolunteers are the special people who bring smiles to wish children across the state, assist with fundraisers and share the Make-A-Wish mission with new audiences. Some of these dedicated

volunteers have experienced the power of a wish firsthand as wish parents. These are just a few wish parents who are now part of the Make-A-Wish volunteer team.

JOE MACKEY, CHRIS’ DAD

“The most special thing about Gloria’s wish [to go to Leavenworth] was that nobody else had done it and the townspeople of Leavenworth went to so much trouble to make it special. The mayor gave her the key to the city and there

were banners up welcoming her everywhere. We were treated like total celebrities. I was so impressed with the organization’s dedication to making everything perfect for the wish child that I wanted to give back by doing the same thing.”

BARBARA RHYNE, GLORIA’S MOM

VICKI DeLONG, TRISTAN’S MOM

HEATHER BUTLER, CALEB’S MOM

“The best part of Adrianne’s wish [to have a play structure] was just seeing her happy. I started

volunteering because I wanted another little kid to get something special too.” – Angie Benintendi, Adrianne’s Mom

“As a result of our [Disney] experience with Make-A-Wish and all the wonderful things the organization does for children, I decided I wanted to become a volunteer and help raise money for other kids like Maddie.” – Laurie Phelps, Maddie’s Mom

4 www.orwish.org

stren

gth.

Wis

h t

hem

4 1

4

1011

3

5

2

7 98

176 wishes

grantedSeptember 1, 2010 to

August 31, 2011

6

5512

13

16

17

2019

15

14

The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oregon expresses its sincere thanks to Disneyland® Resort, Walt Disney World® Resort and

The Walt Disney Company® for their generous in-kind support of making children’s wishes come true.

18

1Alayna, 12, Forest Grove, Illness: Taussig-Bing anomaly Wish: to go to Yellowstone to see wolves

2 Anna, 4, Canby Illness: acute lymphoblastic leukemia Wish: to go on a ride in a hot air balloon

3Arian, 12, Portland, Illness: Burkitt’s lymphoma Wish: to go to the French Open

4Austin, 9, Vancouver Illness: Wish: to meet actors from “Bones”

5Avonte, 16, Hillsboro Illness: osteogenic sarcoma Wish: to have a shopping spree

6Brandon, 16, Salem Illness: obstruction of the duodenum Wish: to have a bike trailer

7Connor, 12, Salem Illness: Duchenne muscular dystrophy Wish: to have a shopping spree

8David, 12, Tillamook Illness: osteogenic sarcoma Wish: to meet my favorite MLB team

9Finn, 8, Portland Illness: hypoplastic left heart syndrome Wish: to meet my favorite NBA star

10Gabe, 9, Hillsboro Illness: Duchenne muscular dystrophy, Wish: to spend the night at the San Diego Zoo

11 Heidi, 15, Glendale Illness: Ewing’s sarcoma Wish: to go to Hawaii

12Mitchell, 10, Eugene Illness: atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor Wish: to go surfing in Hawaii

13 Paloma, 13, Sutherlin Illness: acute lymphoblastic leukemia Wish: to go to Six Flags Vallejo

14 Nakia, 18, Portland Illness: heart condition Wish: to go to the Salem Witch Trials site

15Pierce, 19, Beaverton Illness: Hodgkin’s lymphoma Wish: to be a race car driver

16 Sherice, 18, Portland Illness: Hodgkin’s lymphoma Wish: to go to Hawaii

17 Landin, 5, Sutherlin Illness: cystic fibrosis Wish: to go to LEGOLAND®

18 Luka, 5, Vancouver Illness: acute lymphoblastic leukemia Wish: to go to LEGOLAND

19Joseph, 5, Scappoose Illness: Duchenne muscular dystrophy Wish: to go to Disneyland Resort

20 Christopher, 14, Vale Illness: epilepsey-hydrocephalus Wish: to go to Disneyland Resort

13

6 www.orwish.orgW

ish t

hem

joy.

If you would like to leave the Foundation in your estate plans, you can use the following language:

“I give, devise and bequeath to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon located at 2000 SW 1st Avenue, Suite 410, Portland, Oregon 97201 the sum of ____ dollars (or ____% of my estate, or the residual of my estate otherwise describe the gift) for the general purposes and uses of the Foundation at the discretion of the Board of Directors.”

If you would like to discuss a gift to the endowment or additional methods of planned giving, please call Laila Umpleby 503-292-2280, ext. 24 or [email protected].

Making Plans for Planned Giving

Food, Wine & Wishes is our chapter’s biggest event of the year, held every October, to raise funds for local wishes.

More than 75% of the wishes granted each year in Oregon and SW Washington require travel. That’s almost 700 airplane tickets for wish children, their siblings, parents and caregivers every year. Donate your frequent miles today at orwish.org.

You Hold the Ticket to a Child’s Wish™

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

PCAOULLESTOTNI

T R I A L A T T O R N E Y S P C

1

2

3

4

6

5

1. KATU anchor Deb Knapp and wish kid Addie.

2. Wish kid Olivia helps auctioneer Chris Leach with Heads & Tails.

3. & 5. Guests enjoying the 2011 event, which raised nearly $300,000.

4. Deb asks wish kid Lakin about her wish & helps auction her art.

6. Our crew of event volunteers make the event magical for all.

7

Since 2000, Royal Caribbean has hosted more than 1,500 wish children who wished to go on a cruise to destinations around the world. Make-A-Wish families have enjoyed spectacular wish experiences aboard Royal Caribbean International® ships as part of the Wishes at Sea program. Royal Caribbean continues to be a dedicated partner to the Foundation locally and

nationally. Onboard, guests can participate in Walk for Wishes, and here in Oregon the call center in Springfield supports the Foundation by hosting Waffles & Wishes. We are also pleased to welcome Rita Stolze, of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon’s Board of Directors.

Help Make Local Wishes Come True With Season of Wishes®

Support the annual Season of Wishes® holiday campaign every December. Bid in the Season of Wishes online auction, make a donation, purchase a Make-A-Wish® paper star or attend one of the many fundraisers at local restaurants and retailers. ‘Tis the season to help make magical wishes come true.

Adopt-A-Wish® PartnersThe following is a partial listing of supporters who donated enough money to adopt wishes in their communities.

For Adopt-A-Wish information, please contact Laila Umpleby at 503-292-2280, ext. 24, or [email protected].

Beaverton CrossFit Jazmin, 18, Portland I wish to have… a shopping spree

Chi Omega (University of Oregon) Paloma, 11, Sutherlin I wish to go… to Six Flags Vallejo

Ross Coleman Invitational Armando, 5, Wilsonville I wish to go… to Disneyland® Resort

R.S. Davis Sherice, 17, Portland I wish to go… to Hawaii

Skyview High School Miriam, 4, Vancouver I wish to go… to Walt Disney World® Resort

WillaKenzie Gabe, 10, Hillsboro I wish to go… spend the night at the San Diego Zoo

Royal Caribbean Makes Wishes Come True on Land and Sea

Macy’s Make Wishes Come True During the holiday season, Macy’s invites children of all ages to write letters to Santa and bring the letters to Macy’s. For each letter collected, Macy’s will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® (up to $1 million).

Additionally, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and other charities benefit from

Thanks for Sharing. For every enrollment fee of $25 charged to a Macy’s card, Macy’s will donate $10, up to a total of $15 million to the participating charities.

Over the past 8 years, Macy’s has donated $44 million nationally to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

To view the online auction and promotion details, visit w w w. o r e g o n s e a s o n o f w i s h e s . o r g

presented by:

Media partners throughout the state help share the Make-A-Wish story to increase awareness and support. Thank you!

Thank You, Media Partners

Bicoastal Media Medford • Clear Channel Portland Horizon Broadcasting Group • KATU • KVAL • KOBI

wel

l.Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 3460

Portland, ORMake-A-Wish Foundation® of Oregon, Inc.Also Serving Clark County, Washington2000 SW 1st Avenue, Suite 410Portland, Oregon 97201503-292-2280800-934-WISHfax 503-292-9423www.orwish.org

Wis

h t

hem

Please help us update our mailing list:

I am moving; here is my new address.

Please remove my name from your mailing list.

Please send us all addresses involved.

In 2006, then 10-year-old Chad Redkey wanted a place of his own. He told the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Oregon that his wish was to have a log cabin. After numerous procedures in the hospital to treat his life-threatening heart condition, tetrology of fallot, Chad was excited about a wish to get him closer to the outdoors.

Unlike most playhouses, “Chad’s Place” was a real log cabin built from freshly hewn northwest timber. Inside it was the perfect place for Chad to hang out with his friends, including a loft for sleepovers. Sited on the far end of the family’s property, it didn’t take much for Chad to feel like he was in a secluded forest.

Five years later, Chad has started his freshman year in high school, yet he still

finds time to hang with his friends. “I can’t fit as many friends in there as when I was 10,” jokes Chad. Much to his parents’ appreciation, Chad has set up his drum set in the cabin. Occasionally playing for his church, “Chad’s Place” has become the ideal locale for practicing his music.

Looking back, Chad says he’s thankful for his wish and the role it has played in his life. “I’ve learned that it’s important for me to help others, like they helped me.”

Where Are They Now? Chad Redkey

Ten-year-old Chad holds a sign in front of “Chad’s Place,” his own log cabin play house. He celebrates with friends and volunteers.

Chad, now 15, uses his log cabin playhouse for practicing drums.