News - June 2008

Among the many heartfelt large and small donations in response to the Challenge Matching Grant and recent newsletter, and among the Wish Family Satisfaction Surveys tucked into wish photos and handwritten thank you cards, we found……………..a graduation announcement. Actually, not one, but two! Two precious former Wish Kids are graduating high school. And they thought enough of the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® to let us know. Already, Wish Kid Caress who wished for a trip to Disney World with his mom and sister – and Wish Kid Arianne who wished for a trip to New York during Christmas – had special places in our hearts. Their families got involved in supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation, some even becoming Volunteer Wish Granters. And each family has repeatedly driven the Wish Kids to be on the radio for the Foundation, draw wish art, meet donors, work special events, and do virtually everything we ask to give back so as to help grant wishes for Wish Kids waiting.

Now they graduate. A true milestone in their young adult lives. For children diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition, often each day is a milestone in its own way. But thankfully, diseases often do go into remission, medical conditions often do improve, and treatments often work. Wish Children’s medical conditions may have one day qualified them for a wish, but there is nothing more rewarding that seeing a milestone like a high school graduation announcement to remind us of their brave and strong survivorship. Thanks to folks like you, the Make-A-Wish Foundation delivered the hope, strength and joy that a wish promises. Those families not only have those lasting memories, but hopefully many more each day. Together, we wish them a lifetime of lasting memories.

Where Are They Now?

Enjoy the new feature on the www.wish.org website that highlights former Wish Kids – like our chapter’s own San Antonio Advancement & Outreach Director Jonathan Aken, whose wish was “to play golf with Chi Chi Rodriguez” by visiting http://wish.org/stories/where_are_they_now.

Challenge Matching Grant

Miss the May enewsletter? Miss the announcement of a first ever Challenge Matching Grant? Quick! The chapter deadline is 8/1/08. Visit our Home Page:

· To read more about the Challenge Matching Grant,

· To donate and be a magical part of the Challenge Matching Grant, and

· To read the Pending Wish List of children who have made their one heartfelt wish.

Contact Tammy Shaklee, if you have ideas or advice to help us secure the donation dollars needed.

KUT Asks Austin to Volunteer for Make-A-Wish

If in Austin (or on the internet), and a listener of KUT radio at 90.5 (NPR listeners!), you will pleased to know the Make-A-Wish Foundation was selected as the charity of the month. KUT promotes volunteerism in Austin . A beautifully edited piece about Make-A-Wish is airing repeatedly during June. It also features Make-A-Wish^® Volunteer Wish Granter Christine Mitchell of AdvocateMD who shares our mission quite well. Enjoy the Austin PR this month. Click on the link, then on the play arrow, and listen:

http://kut.org/items/show/12792

New Wishes of Note- Can you or someone you know help share the power of a wish^®?

We invite you also to volunteer to help make wishes magical. Do you have a contact or know anyone that could perhaps donate in-kind or help connect us to someone to make magic for the children below? If so, contact us immediately to ask more details on the wish and the child. You may even want to consider coordinating a memorable Wish Presentation Party, Wish Departure Party, Wish Welcome Home Party, or even the wish itself? Contact Angie Castilleja if you can help with these newly made wishes:

Nikki wishes to meet the cast of The Simpsons!
Josh wishes to go to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii !
Christopher wishes to see a volcano in Hawaii !
Janet wishes to go to New York to be a model.
Micah wishes to have his truck restored.
Bailey wishes to go to Atlantis in the Bahamas !
Gabriel wishes to be an astronaut and see a shuttle lift off!
Emily wishes to go to NYC like her favorite character, “Eloise!”
Christian wishes to visit Legoland in San Diego !
Jewell wishes to go on a Disney Cruise!
Keighton wishes to meet Celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse!
Yazmine wishes to meet “What not to Wear” hosts Stacy London and Clinton Kelly!

Mark Your Calendar/Sign Up Today

Saturday, July 5, 2008: WishRide – San Antonio , Austin, & Gruene
Come out and enjoy the extended Independence Day Weekend on Saturday, July 5, 2008, for the inaugural WishRide, a leisurely motorcycle ride through the beautiful Texas Hill Country to raise awareness and money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & South Texas. The ride will start in two locations, Javelina Harley-Davidson in Boerne and Cowboy Harley-Davidson in Austin . Riders and passengers will enjoy a few stops along the way before they arrive at the end of the ride in beautiful New Braunfels at Gruene Harley-Davidson. There will be food, drinks, live music by local bands Beans-N-Rice and 3 Man Front, Best/Worst in Show competition, and caricatures by Adam. Registration cost is $35.00/biker which includes wristband for food & drink at ride end, WishRide T-shirt, (1) raffle prize ticket at each stop (total of 5), and $10/passenger which includes wristband for food & drink at ride end. Passengers can upgrade for the full package for $35.00. Registration starts at 10am with all bikes on the road by 11am. To register or for more information go to Wish Ride 2008 or contact WishRide2008@satx.rr.com.

Saturday, July 12, 2008: General Volunteer Orientation & Wish Granter Training – San Antonio
We will be offering a General Volunteer Orientation from 9am– 10am followed by Volunteer Wish Granter Training from 10am - 12pm in San Antonio. Volunteers work in our office, at our events, sometimes attending presentation as a representative of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and of course as Wish Granters, helping with the child’s wish process. General Volunteer Orientation is required for all volunteers. Volunteer Wish Granter Training is an optional training offered to volunteers who want to be involved with granting Wishes. If you would like to attend one or both, please contact Scott Crews, Director of Special Events & Volunteers.

Interested in more spring fundraising, training, and social events for the Make-A-Wish Foundation? Visit our Events Page.

Wishes Granted in April and May

Wish Kids Adeline, Alexis, Angelina, Kassandra, Steven, Joseph, Camryn, Estefany, Idalis, Hunter, and Pedro all experienced the magic of Disney World!
Ryan, Valeria, Jimmy, & Sulema went on a Shopping Spree!
Crystal, Kaci, Callie, Kolten, Jasmine and Autumn went on a Cruise!
JJ received a Playscape in his backyard!
Gabi, Frank, Joe, Joseph and Luis received Entertainment Systems in their bedrooms!
Joshua met Tim Duncan and the Spurs!
Matthew had a huge Tree House built in his backyard!
Miranda visited Julliard School of Dance in NYC.
Steffani was an extra in a movie, and act with Brad Pitt!
Marcus visited his grandmother in Louisiana in a RV!
Brittney received have Acting Lessons in San Antonio !
Robert and Rosalinda received new computers!
Tyon saw lots of motorcycles on the set of Orange County Choppers!
Miles had his car restored!
Vanessa and Luis had their rooms redecorated!
Cecilia received a Sweet Sixteen party with all of her friends in Eagle Pass !
Jordan visited Hawaii !
Alberto received a new above ground swimming pool in his backyard!
Isaac received a home theatre to watch movies!

Important Chapter News Updates

Long time Development Director Mary Langdon has accepted a position at Emmis Austin Radio as the Community Outreach Manager, starting its community outreach efforts in Austin , as her last day with our chapter will be June 17, 2008. Mary writes,”Working for the Make-A-Wish Foundation has been a wonderful experience. I could not ask for a better group of colleagues and volunteers. I have grown in many ways here and will always treasure the opportunities provided to me. I truly love the Make-A-Wish mission and know this Foundation is going to continue to grow and succeed in granting every eligible child’s wish. I am very proud of the wonderful work we have done.” Wishing her the best!!

Long time Director of Program Services Karla Wagner has accepted a position at the national office, as the Senior Manager of Mission Resources at Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, with her transitioning out of the chapter end of July. Karla writes, “For the last nine years, my life has revolved around the most magical work of making children’s wishes come true. Indeed – I wish I had a nickel for every time someone has said to me that I must have the best job in the world! I have always agreed. It has been a pleasure to work with many wonderful and caring colleagues, and it will be very hard to leave them behind, as well as the hugs and smiles of our wish kids. The only thing making this transition easier is knowing that I am not leaving Make-A-Wish, but only moving on to the national staff. Hopefully, this position will allow me to keep the friendships I have developed throughout the Make-A-Wish family, while working to insure that our mission stays pure and magical to the special children we all have the privilege of serving.” Wishing her the best, and look forward to continued work with her to support our chapter’s mission resources.

Welcome Sharon Lockhart MD as a new member to the Governing Board of Directors!

Purchases with Purpose

Twice a year, pediped™ footwear will offer a discount on selected styles of shoes at www.pediped.com. From now until June 15, fifty percent of the online sales of the selected discounted shoe styles will benefit the Foundation.

UP, UP AND AWAY!

2008 Summer Airline Travel can Grant a Wish

Airline miles keep adding up? Donate your airline miles to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & South Texas. More than half of all wishes granted involve travel. Those miles can help send a Wish Child and their family on a wonderful wish with lasting memories. Check the national website to see how you can donate miles to benefit our local Wish Kids.

Please check the events calendar for more upcoming events and volunteer needs.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is proud to be a program of the Junior League of Austin. We are honored as a Placement Agency for JLA Volunteers, and a grant recipient! Thank you Junior League of Austin for your support!