Make a Wish Foundation Brighten a Day…Just a Wish Away District Project

Beginnings All his life, Christopher James Greicius dreamed of becoming a police officer. The Make-A-Wish Foundation® traces its beginning to one boy’s wish. In 1980, 7-year-old Chris Greicius was being treated for leukemia. U.S. Customs Officer Tommy Austin had befriended Chris and his mother, Linda Bergendahl- Pauling. He also promised Chris a ride in a police helicopter. When Chris’ health worsened, Tommy had planned a day that would lift Chris’ spirits. On April 29, 1980, Austin and a caring group of DPS personnel started Chris’ day with a tour of the city in a department helicopter, which also flew him to headquarters. Three cruisers and a motorcycle officer greeted him there Chris was sworn in as the first honorary DPS patrolman in state history. The officers presented the official uniform to Chris on May 1 and arranged a motorcycle proficiency test so he could earn wings to pin on his uniform. Needless to say, Chris passed the test with flying colors on his battery-operated motorcycle. On May 2, Chris was back in the hospital. He asked to arrange the room so he could always see his uniform, his motorcycle helmet and his “Smokey Bear”-style campaign hat. DPS motor officer Frank Shankwitz presented Chris with his motorcycle wings. He accepted them with a smile that lit up the room. The following day, Chris passed away, but not before seeing his dream come true and experiencing the hope, strength and joy that came from receiving his wish. Information taken from the Make a Wish website.

Meet Chris…

Beginning of Wishes They saw how happy Chris was knowing his wish came true, and that the wish seemed to take some of Chris and Linda's pain away – replacing the anguish with smiles and laughter. They thought that if one boy's wish could create such happiness, maybe they could do the same for other children. They presented the plan to the people who helped grant Chris' wish. Thus, the Chris Greicius Make-A-Wish Memorial – which later became known as the Make-A-Wish Foundation – was born. The Foundation’s first donation was $15 from a grocery store manager. He pulled the money from his wallet after Shankwitz, who was working off-duty as an undercover security officer at the store, told him about the plan. Media reports inspired people throughout Arizona to generously donate to the Foundation's first wish. By March 1981, the Foundation had raised more than $2,000, enough to grant another child’s wish. Information taken from the Make a Wish website.

The First Official Wish Frank “Bopsy” Salazar was the Foundation’s first official wish kid. Like Chris, he was a 7-year old diagnosed with leukemia - he wanted to be a firefighter. The first wish-granting team started with the Phoenix Fire Department, which made him a full uniform, including turnouts and a helmet. The crew let him blare the horn and douse cars with the 75- pound hose. At the end of the day, the firefighters pinned his official firefighter’s badge on his uniform, making Bopsy the city’s first honorary firefighter. But there was more to come. Media coverage of Bopsy’s wish made others want to help. Chris and Bob Pearce, hot-air balloon pilots and owners, then took Bopsy on an unforgettable ride with a bird’s-eye view of Phoenix. Next, Disneyland created a special day complete with private tours, meals, gifts and more. This marked the beginning of the Make-A-Wish Foundation's magical relationship with Disney. Bopsy returned to the hospital after his trip to Disneyland. As he slept in his third-floor room, someone knocked on his window and opened it. Five of his fellow Phoenix firefighters climbed through using the ladder on the truck parked below. Bopsy shared a few laughs with his friends before going back to sleep with a smile on his face. Later that evening, Bopsy passed away – but not before seeing his fondest wishes come true. Information taken from the Make a Wish website.

Meet “Bopsy”…

Inspiration By 1982, the Make-A-Wish Foundation® had granted a total of eight wishes to children in the Phoenix area when it caught the attention of "NBC Magazine," a national news program. The story began with the account of Chris' wish and featured Linda Bergendahl- Pauling and Tommy Austin sharing how Chris' dream came true. The reporter highlighted the beginnings of the Foundation and how a few children and their families were delighted by the worry-free wish experiences. Suddenly, millions of people saw how the power of a wish impacts children. On May 13, 1983, a year after NBC's story, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America was officially incorporated, six official Make-A-Wish® chapters were operating around the country, and 22 more were established the following year. In 2000, 20 years after Chris donned his police uniform, the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted its 80,000th wish. To date, more than 135,000 wishes have been granted to children with life-threatening medical conditions in the United States and its territories. Information taken from the Make a Wish website.

Teaming Up The Mighty TO is teaming up with the Make a Wish Foundation. Each state is given a wish to grant. In doing this we have made it a Rivalry between Texas and Oklahoma to see which state can raise the most money to grant their wish. The minimum cost to grant a wish is $5,000.

Goals For the District Project we have made it our sole objective to share our goals and hopes with you. Our primary goal is to grant each of our wishes and bring happiness and smiles to their faces. Not only do we want you to get involved in the fundraising part but also the volunteering part by getting involved in your local chapter.

Rivalry Time We want to see who is better… Texas ? or Oklahoma ? Since the TO District is all about the Rivalry at District Convention, we are putting it to the test. Each state will be going head to head; raising the needed money to grant their wish and the winner will be announced at the District Convention. A child’s dream is at stake here: Failure is NOT an option.

TEXAS…

Here is your child… Haley Haley is four years old and battling with leukemia. Her wish is to go to Disney World and meet Cinderella because she loves all of the Disney princesses!

Haley’s MAW Sponsoring Foundation Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Central & South Texas Serves the central and southern 1/3 of Texas state Web site: Walsh Tarlton Lane Suite 200 Austin, TX Phone: (512) Fax: (512) Toll Free Central Texas Only: (800)

OKLAHOMA…

Here is your child… Nathan Nathan is nine years old from Norman, OK. His wish is to go to Disney World and Universal studios while riding in style in a limo to the airport.

Oklahoma Contact Information Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Oklahoma Serves the entire state of Oklahoma Web site: Northwest Expressway Suite 1227 Oklahoma City, OK Phone: (405) Fax: (405) Jane Rohweder - Tulsa Office: (918)

Hey TEXAS… Here are the rest of the Texas Make a Wish Foundations. Pick one closest to your club and complete your service hours with them. Need ideas or have questions contact your Lt. Governor

Texas Contact Information Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Central & South Texas Serves the central and southern 1/3 of Texas state Web site: Walsh Tarlton Lane Suite 200 Austin, TX Phone: (512) Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas Serves the northeastern and western part of the state of Texas Web site: Deseo Irving, TX Phone: (214) Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas, Midland Office Web site: N. Big Spring Suite 208 Midland, TX Phone: (432) Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas, Northeast Regional Office Serves 1/3 of the counties covered by the North Texas chapter east of Dallas with the exception of Leon county Web site: Winchester, Suite 109 Tyler, TX Phone: (903)

Make-A-Wish Foundation® of North Texas, Southwest Regional Office Serves 1/3 of the counties covered by the North Texas chapter west of Dallas Web site: Texas Street, Suite 101 Fort Worth, TX Phone: Make-A-Wish Foundation® of the Rio Grande Valley Serves the 6 southern most counties in the state Web site: riograndevalley.wish.orgriograndevalley.wish.org One Park Place, Suite 405 McAllen, TX Phone: (956) Make-A-Wish Foundation® of the Texas Gulf Coast & Louisiana Serves the 47 counties along the Gulf Coast of Texas and the entire state of Louisana Web site: Bissonnet Houston, TX Phone: (713) Make-A-Wish Foundation® of the Texas Plains, Inc. Serves the top 55 counties of the Texas Panhandle and Texas Plains Web site: texasplains.wish.orgtexasplains.wish.org 411 South Fillmore Amarillo, TX Phone: (806) Ama

Reminder… Each state has their own child. Each child has a wish. Each wish is $5,000. The winning state (s) will be announced at District Convention. The deadline for the completion of the project is MARCH 7 th. DON’T FORGET THE SERVICE HOURS!

Overwhelmed…Having doubts? Let me tell you… The Make a Wish Foundation has up-most faith in the Mighty TO District. They believe that we can grant our two wishes by raising $10,000. They have no doubts in our ability. They are completely thrilled to know that we have chosen them to serve and are supporting us every step of the way. They want us to succeed. They want us to make the difference and impact these children’s lives this year.

Contact Information IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CONTACT: Cassie DeBoard 1(580) (home) 1(580) (cell) (LEAVE A MESSAGE) Or

Key Club is all about making a difference so lets show them what we’re made of.