July 2023 Update to Board of Directors

IWishToMeet...

Working with the Metro New York chapter, we hosted wish kid Joshua and his family for the Real Madrid vs. Manchester United match at NRG Stadium. Our team partnered with the Texans and Lonestar Sports and Entertainment to create an unforgettable VIP experience on-field before the game. Joshua (left) is with his family and Texans players in the photo above. Special thanks to new board member David Stone for connecting us with the management team at NRG to create this unique experience!

SouthernFederation FoundationConvention

Houma Oilman's Fishing Tournament returns with a $10,000 grant after taking a year off due to Hurricane Ida recovery. Since 2008, the group has raised more than $180,000 for Make-A-Wish

Make-A-Wish was a first-time grant recipient of $20,000 to support local wishes from the Southern Federation Foundation We had the opportunity to showcase our mission and accept the grant at the Foundation's annual convention over the Fourth of July weekend. Special thanks to Stephanie and Thomas Hatfield for championing Make-A-Wish among this new group of supporters.

I WISH TO GO...

Wish Kid Anely Steals the Show in Galveston Fourth of July Parade

A Houston resident, Anely wished for a family vacation to Galveston, and she specifically wanted to be there for the Fourth of July parade. Leveraging our connections on the Island, we arranged several fun activities, with the highlight being Anely not watching, but riding in, the parade!

Working with the Galveston Fire Department, Anely waved to the crowds from the shaded safety of a GFD High Water Rescue vehicle After the parade, Anely said she “felt more an Taylor Swift!”

WISH ALUMNI SUMMER SOCIAL

We hosted our first-ever alumni summer social at the Houston Dynamo game on July 12! Prior to kickoff, several alums and their families were on the field holding the giant MLS flag. At halftime, the group went back on the field for photos with Dynamo mascot, Diesel!

CASEY JANE'S ROOM MAKEOVER

As we continue to increase our visibility in northern Louisiana, the chapter developed a new relationship with LOLA Magazine, a monthly publication focusing on “celebrating the lives of Louisiana ladies” The magazine’s publisher, Bevin Hicks, volunteered on Ruston 8-year-old Casey Jane’s room makeover and published a story about Casey Jane and the mission of Make-A-Wish

VOLUNTEERS

It was a busy month for our Wish Discovery volunteers. During the month, we hosted in-person and remote wish discovery days, completing 21 interviews. This also allowed us to engage two new Arabic-speaking volunteers, helping to meet the needs of all of our wish families.

In the fall, we will welcome our first postpandemic in-person intern to the Louisiana officer. SaMya is a senior Human Sciences major at Southeastern Louisiana University.

JULY WISH BOOST

This month's wish boost to our kids is especially fun...volunteer Kelly Pitts came to the office to film a tutorial on creating an origami wish star!

We shared this with every current wish kid and our alums!

CreateYourOwnStarHere

BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

STAFF BIRTHDAYS

Shelly: August 15

Ashley Osborn: August 15

STAFF ANNIVERSARIES

Melanie Morales: August 1 (1 year!)

Erin Joubert: August 9 (5 years!)