500 Word Print Story

Christina Collinge

COM 3330/04

April 5, 2011

500-Word Print Story

Walk for Wishes Atlanta 2011

     The Georgia and Alabama Chapter of The Make-A-Wish Foundation will be holding Walk for Wishes on April 16, 2011 at Atlantic Station. Walk for Wishes is a day walk that celebrates the success of individuals and teams that raised funds that in return grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.

     The cost to participate in the walk is $10.00 and the wonderful supporters that raise $100 or more will receive a Walk for Wishes t-shirt. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the walk programs will start at 10:30 a.m. Walk for Wishes festivities will end promptly at 11:30 a.m. Walkers and guest are invited to enjoy all the attractions offered at Atlantic Station and around Atlanta after the Walk for Wishes festivities are completed.

     Walk for Wishes was developed by the Georgia and Alabama Chapter of The Make-A-Wish Foundation. The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia and Alabama was founded in 1995 and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. This chapter has granted more than 4,000 wishes and they are hoping to grant 350 wishes in 2011.

     Kari Love, senior events development officer, enjoyed the idea of a celebratory walk for raising funds for the chapter. “Walk for Wishes is going to be an absolute blast this spring. “ Love said. “Our supporters have already raised over $71,000 and I couldn’t be happier to work for such an amazing organization. This walk is going to be so successful and I can’t wait to get out there and walk with everyone. I couldn’t do my job without our awesome supporters and volunteers, so I think it is very important that our staff participates in this walk as well.”

     The Make-A-Wish Foundation was founded in 1980 and gives hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. As a national, non-profit organization, The Make-A-Wish Foundation has granted over 200,000 wishes and is honored to grant a new wish to a deserving child every 40 minutes. Kids ages two and a half to 18 that meet the medical criteria established by the foundation are eligible to have their wish granted.

     Frank Shankwitz, Linda Bergendahl-Pauling, and Scott Stahl founded the Make-A-Wish Foundation in November, 1980. A little boy named Christian James Greicius who was suffering from leukemia, dreamed of becoming a police officer. The founders saw how happy Christian was after receiving his wish, and they wondered how they could do the same for other children.

     In March 1981, The Make-A-Wish Foundation granted its first wish. The first Make-A-Wish kid was a 7-year-old boy named Frank Salazar who was diagnosed with leukemia. His dream was to become a fire fighter. In Arizona, the Phoenix Fire Department made Frank a full uniform including turnouts, a badge and a helmet. Franks day was made when the fire department let him blast the horn and use the 75-pound hose on the fire truck. Media coverage of Frank made others want to help the cause too. From then on, The Make-A-Wish Foundation has been nothing short of a miracle.