We All Have the Power to Grant A Wish

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Filed under Work & Volunteering

An estimated 100,000 children will be diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition in the next four years, according to a study conducted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the largest wish-granting organization in the world.

This June, the Foundation will launch Destination Joy presented by LAY’S  a campaign to inspire and empower Americans to get on board and contribute their time, talents and resources to make the wishes of seriously ill children come true. A wish experience takes wish kids and their families on a magical and joyful journey away from doctor visits and medical treatments. And you can help.

“To go through a wish as a family is an incredible experience,” said Yvonne Pena, mother of two wish kids. “It brought us back together. It gave my sons the will to live again. When your child is sick you tend to stray, you tend to worry about what is going on at that particular time and forget to live. You forget how to speak, and you forget how to breathe sometimes. We all have the power to grant a wish and I hope everyone will consider getting on board Destination Joy.”

So what can you do? There are many ways to help grant a wish. A new “Ways to Help” volunteer and donor database, sponsored by The Walt Disney Company, can be found on the Foundation’s Web site, www.wish.org. This online database features wish-specific requests for time, talent and resources from each of the Foundation’s 69 chapters. So everyone’s unique talents can help grant a wish!

In addition to cash donations, here are a few other ways you can share the power of a wish:

Donate Non-Cash Items

• Non-cash donations may include airline miles, hotel loyalty points, travel packages, event tickets, gift cards, creative services, furniture, stocks, bonds, securities or the use of a substantial discount on items, products or services.

Shop to Help

• From late May through September 1, 2007, for every specially marked bag of LAY’S brand potato chips you purchase and redeem online at www.lays.com, LAY’S will donate 25 cents to the Make-A-Wish Foundation (minimum donation $300,000; maximum donation $345,000). Simply enter the 10-digit UPC code on the back of a specially marked LAY’S bag, and you’ll be helping LAY’S and the Make-A-Wish Foundation make magical wishes come true.

• Beginning June 1, 2007 you can show your support for the Make-A-Foundation by going to your local Cold Stone Creamery and donating $2 for a magnetic Destination Joy Wish Star to display on your vehicle.

Volunteer

• Nearly 25,000 volunteers contribute their time and unique skills working in special events coordination, fundraising, community outreach, Web design, office assistance and more. Volunteers can also help grant wishes — taking wish kids and their families on a magical journey away from doctor visits and medical treatments. Visit www.wish.org for more volunteer opportunities with your local Make-A-Wish chapter.

Fundraise

• From a penny drive to black-tie events, there are countless ways you can engage your community in fundraising to help grant kids’ heartfelt wishes.

For more information about the ways you can help, visit the Make-A-Wish Foundation Web site at www.wish.org.

Article courtesy of ARAcontent

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