Harper's
Wish
Fall 2021
You give kids the chance to feel free
Freedom. Joy. Movement.
For children facing critical illnesses, finding moments free from the constraints of gravity and mobility equipment can be hard to come by, especially for those who need assistance with movement.
That’s why when a child wishes to have a hot tub, they get so much more than a place of sanctuary in their backyard. They find a place where the pull of gravity is offset by the buoyancy of water, and the freedom of unencumbered movement becomes possible.
“He considers his time in the hot tub fun, but it also serves as a kind of physical therapy,” said wish mom, Crystal about her son, Harper, who is living with spinal muscular atrophy. “His wish impacts him and his brother (who also has spinal muscular atrophy) daily, as they are able to experience the freedom and benefits of the warm water.”
Fellow wish mom, Shawn, agrees that the gift of a hot tub is incredibly therapeutic. “Gravity is always pulling down on Evelyn in a way that, for most of us, our muscles can overcome,” she said about her daughter Evelyn. “Being able to feel that weightlessness is a nice reprieve for her.”
And a wish is an opportunity for a child facing critical illness to experience another type of freedom and weightlessness, too.
“Instead of being told what he couldn’t do because of his condition, Harper was told something he rarely, if ever, hears,” said Crystal. “He was told that he could dream up something fun that he could do … that possibility awakens something deep in your soul that is hard to put into words.”
For both Evelyn and Harper, their hot tubs provide endless opportunities to make memories with their families. Their hot tubs are a place to experience joy, which can be hard to come by for children whose days are often filled with doctor appointments, therapies and medication schedules.
And the impact of a wish is felt beyond the wish recipients themselves. Wishes positively impact the lives of those fortunate to be involved.
That includes Nelson Bryant and the team at Seattle Hot Tub Company. Through a national partnership with Marquis Spa, Seattle Hot Tub Company has been helping to fulfill some hot tub wishes for the past four years.
“All of our employees get excited when it’s a wish delivery day,” Nelson said. “It’s a morale booster for our workers to have the opportunity to give back to our community. And it’s an honor to tell people we’re partners with Make-A-Wish.”
Shawn remembers the smile on Evelyn’s face the first time she got into her new hot tub. That smile continues to light up her face every time she uses it.
Give the gift of mobility and freedom when you help grant wishes for kids like Evelyn and Harper.
Harper’s wish, granted in 2016, continues to bring him and his family joy.
Evelyn’s wish, granted in 2020, offers a place of refuge from her medical condition.
Special thanks to Aqua Creek Products, Marquis Spas, Natural Eco Solutions, RAM Construction, VECA Electric and volunteers Jack, Nancy and Shane for granting Evelyn’s wish; Beaver Bark & Garden Center, The Hunny-Do Crew, Inland Pool & Spa Centre, Marquis Spas and wish-granting volunteers Nanc and Barbi for granting Harper’s wish; and Seattle Hot Tub Company for supporting many hot tub wishes in Western Washington.
View more stories in this issue
For CM Heating, partnering with Make-A-Wish is a source of pride
When business partners John Giacomi and James Garner envisioned the future of their company, CM Heating—a heating and ventilation contractor based in Everett, Wash.—they wanted to focus on purpose and impact.
So, they set out to create a partnership with Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington that would enrich the employee experience, help customers feel more connected and positively impact their community. The results have been astounding.
Watch the video to hear more!
If you, too, would like to align your business with Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington, contact Kayla Summers.
Mark your calendars for Wish Night Gala & Auction!
Our community has partnered with Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington to deliver hope to thousands of children and their families for more than 35 years. Join us on March 19, 2022, as we celebrate together at The Westin Seattle for our annual Wish Night Gala & Auction to celebrate transformational wishes made possible by you.
To sponsor the event, donate an experience or item to be part of the evening’s exciting auction or to reserve your spot today, contact Ashley McCarty.
Official Airline Partner
Presenting Sponsor
Wish Champion Sponsors
Victor’s dream is coming true, thanks to volunteers like Kevin and people like you!
Fifteen-year-old Victor is counting down the days until he can play his dream guitar. He’s pictured this moment for the past two years, ever since he first started strumming. Victor has envisioned the artwork—a bear’s face set against a white background—and now local artist Kevin Cutler is bringing this dream to life by donating his artistic talents to fulfill Victor’s wish.
“I grew up in a musical family, and started playing guitar as a young teenager, so when I heard about Victor’s wish, I felt a certain amount of cosmic synchronicity, and I knew immediately that I wanted to be involved,” said Kevin. “Meeting Victor, and seeing the videos he created showcasing his musical talent, was really inspiring and pushed me to put my heart into a piece of art that would inspire him in return.”
Victor’s favorite song to play is “Tolin Infante.” Thanks to the support of Kevin and our community, Victor will soon be playing the notes on his dream guitar when his wish is granted.
You can help grant wishes for kids like Victor. It takes artists and musicians and everything in between to make wishes possible in our community. Get Started today!
Christmas in Color Dazzles for Make-A-Wish
Celebrate the holidays with Christmas in Color, an animated holiday light show coming to Federal Way, Wash., and help make wishes come true! A portion of proceeds from this family-friendly event will benefit Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington. Drive through millions of lights perfectly synchronized to upbeat holiday tunes broadcast through your radio. Enjoy vibrant displays from the safety and comfort of your car. Open November 19 to January 2; tickets available online.
Help grant future wishes by naming Make-A-Wish in your estate plans
If you haven’t created a will or assessed your estate plans recently, now is a good time. It’s easier than ever to include wish kids in your legacy at FreeWill.com, where you can create a will for free and ensure that the people and causes you love are part of your plans.
Wish-granting volunteer and planned giving donor Taryn Jensen recently worked with FreeWill to add Make-A-Wish as a beneficiary to her will.
“I hope I am a long way away from needing to use this resource, but it was a wonderful experience to share my plans with my family and friends now,” Taryn said. “The site made it very easy to add a specific charity and took care of all of the logistics. FreeWill makes the process very easy, and I find so much comfort in knowing whatever happens in the future I could help a Make-A-Wish child even in my passing.”
Visit FreeWill.com to get started. Please let us know if you choose Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington as a charitable beneficiary. We’d love the opportunity to properly acknowledge and thank you for your gift!
Cheers to YOU for making wishes happen
The Happiness Hour online silent auction was a success, helping raise funds to grant wishes to kids with critical illnesses. You heard from Owen’s mom about the impact of his wish to have an indoor jungle gym. His wish provided him a safe place to recover from surgery and to feel like a kid again.
Couldn’t join in on the auction? You can still donate today!
Special thanks to:
I wish to have an indoor jungle gym
Owen, 8
brain tumor
EN 
ES