Wishing Well 2014 Wishing Well - Spring Edition 2013 | Page 2

An Enlightening Fundraising Idea Do you have the biggest and brightest Christmas tree in your street? Do you show your Christmas spirit by decorating your house with lights each year? If your front yard is a Christmas time attraction, it could also become a perfect fundraising opportunity! FROM THE CEO Welcome to another jam-packed edition of Wishing Well. This year, why not collect donations from visitors and passers-by, or even set up a wishing well for people to make their own wish and donate to help grant more wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions? To find out more about fundraising for Make-A-Wish this Christmas, please call 1800 032 260 or email [email protected]. ? It seems like only yesterday I was introducing myself to you in the first edition for the year, and now the festive season is just around the corner! First and foremost, thank you so much for your commitment this year – with your help we have already been able to achieve so much! Close to 300 wishes have been granted, as well as 30 Wish Hampers to children under the age of three. And as 2013 is not over yet, there are still many more wishes to be granted before the year ends! One thing that has become clear to me in my time here is that the power of a wish really cannot be overstated. In Aileen’s story – which features on page four – you’ll hear about this in a mother’s own words. I won’t spoil the story, but as you will learn, Aileen was absolutely captured by the power of a wish after her son, Brady, had his wish come true. So much so, that she became a Make-A-Wish® volunteer! We frequently hear stories like this and encounter people totally in awe of the positive difference a Make-A-Wish wish makes. This is exactly why, like you, everyone working with Make-A-Wish is so passionate and determined to make more wishes happen. Read on to find out more about the life-changing difference your ongoing support is making. Once again thank you. Gerard Menses CEO ? The ence differ re YOU a g makin “I have been lucky enough to see the power of a wish touch so many people. It touches not only the child with the illness but also their family, friends as well as other sick children. When a child's wish is granted, the good news travels through the hospital ward. It lifts everyone's spirits – not only all the families but also doctors, nurses, volunteers and even the cleaners. A wish is truly magical. It would be so nice if everyone who donates could see the magic it brings to all the seriously-ill children who receive them.” Make-A-Wish Young Ambassador and wish recipient, Grace, on the power of a wish.