Make a Wish Foundation Brighten a Day…Just a Wish Away District Project 2006-2007.

Make a Wish Foundation

Brighten a Day…Just a Wish Away

District Project

2006-2007

Beginnings

All his life, Christopher James Greicius dreamed of becoming a police officer.

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.

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,

Tommy had 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 there Chris was sworn in as the first honorary DPS patrolman in state history.

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.

Information taken from the Make a Wish website.

Meet Chris…

Beginning of Wishes

They saw how happy Chris was knowing his wish came true, and that the wish seemed to take some of Chris and Linda's pain away –

replacing the anguish with smiles and laughter. They thought that if one boy's wish could create such happiness, maybe they could do the

same for other children. They presented the plan to the people who helped grant Chris' wish. Thus, the Chris Greicius Make-A-Wish

Memorial – which later became known as the Make-A-Wish Foundation – was born.

The Foundation’s first donation was $15 from a grocery store manager. He pulled the money from his wallet after Shankwitz, who was working off-duty as an undercover security officer at the store, told him about the plan. Media reports inspired people throughout

Arizona to generously donate to the Foundation's first wish. By March 1981, the Foundation had raised more than $2,000, enough to grant

another child’s wish.Information taken from the Make a Wish website.

The First Official Wish Frank “Bopsy” Salazar was the Foundation’s first official wish kid. Like Chris, he was a 7-year old

diagnosed with leukemia - he wanted to be a firefighter.

The first wish-granting team started with the Phoenix Fire Department, which made him a full uniform, including turnouts and a helmet. The crew let him blare the horn and douse cars with the 75-pound hose. At the end of the day, the firefighters pinned his official firefighter’s badge on his

uniform, making Bopsy the city’s first honorary firefighter.

But there was more to come. Media coverage of Bopsy’s wish made others want to help.

Chris and Bob Pearce, hot-air balloon pilots and owners, then took Bopsy on an unforgettable ride with a bird’s-eye view of Phoenix.

Next, Disneyland created a special day complete with private tours, meals, gifts and more. This marked the beginning of the Make-A-Wish Foundation's magical relationship with Disney.

Bopsy returned to the hospital after his trip to Disneyland. As he slept in his third-floor room, someone knocked on his window and opened it. Five of his fellow Phoenix firefighters climbed through

using the ladder on the truck parked below. Bopsy shared a few laughs with his friends before going back to sleep with a smile on his face. Later that evening, Bopsy passed away – but not

before seeing his fondest wishes come true.Information taken from the Make a Wish website.

Meet “Bopsy”…

InspirationBy 1982, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® had granted a total of eight wishes to children in the Phoenix area when it caught the attention of "NBC Magazine," a

national news program.

The story began with the account of Chris' wish and featured Linda Bergendahl-Pauling and Tommy Austin sharing how Chris' dream came true. The reporter highlighted the beginnings of the Foundation and how a few children and their families were delighted by the worry-free wish experiences. Suddenly, millions

of people saw how the power of a wish impacts children.

On May 13, 1983, a year after NBC's story, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America was officially incorporated, six official Make-A-Wish® chapters were operating

around the country, and 22 more were established the following year.

In 2000, 20 years after Chris donned his police uniform, the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted its 80,000th wish. To date, more than 135,000 wishes have been granted to children with life-threatening medical conditions in the United

States and its territories. Information taken from the Make a Wish website.

Teaming Up

The Mighty TO is teaming up with the Make a Wish Foundation.

Each state is given a wish to grant.

In doing this we have made it a Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma to see

which state can raise the most money to grant their wish.

The minimum cost to grant a wish is $5,000.

Goals

For the 2006-2007 District Project we have made it our sole objective to share our goals and hopes with you. Our primary goal is to grant each of our wishes and

bring happiness and smiles to their faces. Not only do we want you to get involved in

the fundraising part but also the volunteering part by getting involved in

your local chapter.

Rivalry TimeWe want to see who is better…

Texas? or Oklahoma?

Since the TO District is all about the Rivalry at District Convention, we are putting it to the test.

Each state will be going head to head; raising the needed money to grant their wish and the winner will be

announced at the District Convention.

A child’s dream is at stake here: Failure is NOT an option.

TEXAS…

Here is your child…

HaleyHaley is four years old and battling

with leukemia. Her wish is to go to Disney World and meet

Cinderella because she loves all of the Disney princesses!

Haley’s MAW Sponsoring Foundation

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Central & South TexasServes the central and southern 1/3 of Texas state

Web site: www.centralandsouthtexas.wish.org

2224 Walsh Tarlton Lane

Suite 200Austin, TX 78746

Phone: (512) 329-9474Fax: (512) 328-3326

Toll Free Central Texas Only: (800) 880-9474E-Mail: tshaklee@centralandsoutht...

OKLAHOMA…

Here is your child…

NathanNathan is nine years old from

Norman, OK. His wish is to go to Disney World and Universal

studios while riding in style in a limo to the airport.

Oklahoma Contact Information

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of OklahomaServes the entire state of Oklahoma

Web site: www.oklahoma.wish.org

3030 Northwest Expressway

Suite 1227Oklahoma City, OK 73112

Phone: (405) 943-9600Fax: (405) 943-7538

Jane Rohweder - Tulsa Office: (918) 492-9474E-Mail: [email protected]

Hey TEXAS…

Here are the rest of the Texas Make a Wish Foundations. Pick one closest to your

club and complete your service hours with them.

Need ideas or have questions contact your Lt. Governor

Texas Contact InformationMake-A-Wish Foundation® of Central & South

TexasServes the central and southern 1/3 of Texas

stateWeb site: www.centralandsouthtexas.wish.org

2224 Walsh Tarlton LaneSuite 200

Austin, TX 78746

Phone: (512) 329-9474E-Mail: tshaklee@centralandsoutht...

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North TexasServes the northeastern and western part of the

state of TexasWeb site: www.northtexaswish.org

6655 DeseoIrving, TX 75039

Phone: (214) 496-9474E-Mail: [email protected]

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas, Midland Office

Web site: www.northtexaswish.org

407 N. Big SpringSuite 208

Midland, TX 79701

Phone: (432) 683-9474E-Mail: [email protected]

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas, Northeast Regional Office

Serves 1/3 of the counties covered by the North Texas chapter east of Dallas with

the exception of Leon countyWeb site: www.northtexaswish.org

215 Winchester, Suite 109Tyler, TX 75701

Phone: (903) 597-9474

E-Mail: [email protected]

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas, Southwest Regional Office

Serves 1/3 of the counties covered by the North Texas chapter west of

DallasWeb site: www.northtexaswish.org

1407 Texas Street, Suite 101

Fort Worth, TX 76102

Phone: 817-336-9474

E-Mail: [email protected]

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of the Rio Grande Valley

Serves the 6 southern most counties in the state

Web site: riograndevalley.wish.org

One Park Place, Suite 405McAllen, TX 78503

Phone: (956) 686-9474E-Mail: [email protected]

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of the Texas Gulf Coast & Louisiana

Serves the 47 counties along the Gulf Coast of Texas and the entire state of

LouisanaWeb site: http://texgulf.wish.org

1604 BissonnetHouston, TX 77005

Phone: (713) 942-9474E-Mail: [email protected]

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of the Texas Plains, Inc.

Serves the top 55 counties of the Texas Panhandle and Texas PlainsWeb site: texasplains.wish.org

411 South FillmoreAmarillo, TX 79101

Phone: (806) 358-9943 - AmaE-Mail: [email protected]...

Reminder…

• Each state has their own child.• Each child has a wish.

• Each wish is $5,000. • The winning state (s) will be announced at

District Convention. • The deadline for the completion of the

project is MARCH 7th.• DON’T FORGET THE SERVICE HOURS!

Overwhelmed…Having doubts? Let me tell you…

The Make a Wish Foundation has up-most faith in the Mighty TO District. They

believe that we can grant our two wishes by raising $10,000. They have no doubts in our ability. They are completely thrilled

to know that we have chosen them to serve and are supporting us every step of the way. They want us to succeed. They want us to make the difference and impact

these children’s lives this year.

Contact InformationIF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE

CONTACT:Cassie DeBoard

1(580)762-0377 (home)1(580)716-5241(cell)

(LEAVE A MESSAGE)EMAIL

[email protected]

[email protected]

Key Club is all about making a difference so

lets show them what we’re made of.