Make-A-Wish Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana Newsletter: August 2023

575WishesComeTrue

Wehelpedwriteabook, Wedidribboncuttingsforbackyardplayhouses, WesentkidstoDisneyWorld, WeevenbroughtMickeyMousetoa3-year-old’s homeinherfinalhours, Wehelpedlaunchagreetingcardbusiness, WearrangedforkidstobegreetedinOahu,Hawaii, withfreshfloralleis, Wehelpedfulfilla15-year-old’sbucketlistwitha specialmessagefromTheRock, Weevenarrangedforakidtobecomeanofficial memberoftheMandalorianMercs,adreamforany StarWarsfan

Thesearejustafewofthe575wishesand unforgettablememoriesyouhelpedusbringtolife forchildrenwhentheyneededitmost.

“Wordscannotbegintoexpresshow wonderfulourtripwas.Itwassogoodto seebothboysreallybeingkidsandsmiling-heck,weallsmiledmore,laughedmore thanwehaveinthelastthree-and-a-half years.Thankyou,Make-A-Wish,fromthe bottomofourhearts.Wedidn’tknowhow badlyweneededthis;thememoriesare priceless.”

KimH.,WishParent

“Make-A-Wishbringshopetoourpatients andtheirfamilies!Everytimeweintroduce Make-A-Wish,wegetanimmediatesmile fromthem,andtheirfaceslightupwith excitementthinkingaboutwhattowish for.”

EvaC.,ChildLifeSpecialist

VolunteerHighlight

27

108 4 Shopping Spree Wishes

Granted in August

Volunteer Hours Spent on Shopping Sprees

Volunteer Hours on Each Shopping Trip

I WISH TO BE...

WishKidShanaBecomesanEntrepreneur InpartnershipwithlocalsponsorOakHarvest FinancialGroup,wegrantedthewishof

12-year-oldShanatostartherowngreeting cardbusinessand“sharelove”withothers!

Formorethanayear,ourstaffarranged lessonsbetweenShanaandlocalartistLauren EllzeytohelpShanalearnPhotoshopand articulatehervisionforeightdifferentcards!

YoucanseeShana’sbeautifuldesignsand purchaseyourowngreetingcardshere: www.helloloveart.com

UPCOMING EVENTS

SEPTEMBER 18

WILDCAT GOLF CLUB, HOUSTON

SEPTEMBER 19; 3:00 PM-9:00 PM CLICK HERE FOR

Builders of Hope will launch their inaugural fundraiser Shoot for the Stars Sporting Clay Tournament on Tuesday, December 12, at the Greater Houston Sports Club. With a fundraising goal of $70,000, this clay tournament aims to grant more wishes and build relationships with new constructionindustry partners. If interested in participating or supporting, please visit their website at shootforthestarstournamentcom

YLB SENDS WISH KID KAILEIGH OFF TO HAWAII

At the Make-A-Wish office, the YoungLeaders’BoardhostedwishkidKaileigh and her family to celebrate her upcoming trip to Hawaii. While battling cancer, Kaileigh has remained active and adventurous, and she is especially passionate about impacting kids’lives Overthesummer,sheservedasajuniorcampcounseloratCampCho-Yehin Livingston,Texas.

TheYLBplannedadayoffunforKaileigh,includingan“interview”fortheaudiencetosee herbubblyandjoyfulpersonality,making“wishwands”forotherwishkids,anddesigning posters for upcoming wish celebrations. Kaileigh is scheduled to leave for the sunny beachesandcoolwaterofHawaiionOctober14

“Wehadthebesttime,andKaileighfeltsolovedbyeveryone,”sharedKaileigh’smom.

WISH ALUM DESIGNS CAPES FOR HOUSTON DYNAMO

On September 16, attendees at the Houston Dynamo match received a free hero cape, designed by wish alum Melinda!

In recognition of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, the Dynamo turned their stadium gold. Wish Kid Melinda designed the commemorative cape for the game’s giveaway. Prior the game, Melinda took the pitch for the “first kick.”

The day is meaningful for Melinda, as her wish for art lessons and to display her art was granted on September 16, 2021.

DID YOU KNOW...

SeptemberisChildhoodCancerAwarenessMonth.

43 children are diagnosed with cancer in the United States each day.

54 percent of our wish kids are battling some form of cancer.

Because of the power of a wish, more than 70 percent of wish kids live into adulthood.

ELEANOR’S TREEHOUSE

Wish kid Eleanor enjoys spending time outside, playing with her sister, cousins, and friends around her neighborhood At her side for every adventure is her puppy, Dolce! For her wish, Eleanor wanted a treehouse that she could transform into her own backyard sanctuary. Recently, she has developed an interest in gardening, so Make-A-Wish made the ribbon-cutting

BYOP “Bring Your Own Plant! Attendees brought potted plants and seedlings, helping her begin creating the perfect outside oasis. Her wish wa sponsored by the Builders of Hope, led by HITTContracting and AfreenAli

MAJOR REVENUE MILESTONE PublicSupportSurpasses$4M

For the first time in chapter history, the organization surpassed $4 million in total public support during the fiscal year

On behalf of the staff and the hundreds of wish families we serve, THANK YOU to our Board of Directors, corporate partners, and donors for believing in the power of wishes and bringing hope, strength, and joy to 575 local kids this year!