Summer 2023
DRUM ROLL...SOMETHING NEW FOR YOU!
by Charles Henri
Why doesn’t Make-A-Wish have a theme song? That is what my friend and longtime supporter of Make-A-Wish, Dr. Sanford Wright, thought as he watched a speaker take the stage at a fundraising event. Dr. Wright knew who to approach about this idea. Me. You see, I’m a composer.
While I was familiar with Make-A-Wish, the timing of this project hit home for me. My wife had been in and out of the hospital for about a year, so working on this song was good for my soul, therapeutic.
The song emerged when I visited the Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington headquarters. During an office tour, the President and CEO, Melissa Arias shared stories about the wish kids whose pictures hung on the wall and I started to hear music in my mind.
It’s hard to relate to what others go through, but music gives you an experience without needing words. It allows us all to connect universally. The music I compose is emotional storytelling. And “One Wish” tells a story of people coming together. To help. To bring healing.
Composer Charles Henri-Avelange
Whether you are a wish kid, a member of a wish family, a doctor, volunteer, donor or artist like me, the part you play in a child’s journey becomes an uplifting harmony. And the more people who join along, the louder the song; the more we experience something beautiful together. Listen and discover where you belong in the composition of a child’s wish song.
More inspiring stories from this issue »
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The Ripple Effect of Helping Hands
There are times in life when you’re on the shore, watching white-capped waves crash in the distance. Other times, you’re in the water, struggling as the waves keep coming. And sometimes you are in a boat, extending a helping hand to someone in need.
Jen Wigen has experienced all three perspectives with Make-A-Wish. When her son Josh was 10 years old, he was diagnosed with pneumonia but wouldn’t stop coughing. “They did a scan of his lungs and found a mass,” she said.
“Suddenly, we were escorted to a different part of the hospital. When the elevator doors opened, we were in the dark, but the light shined on the Pediatric Oncology and Hematology sign.
“That’s when it hit me. My son had cancer.”
– Jen Wigen
Jen had seen this before, but from the shore so to speak. In 2002, she worked at Make-A-Wish as a wish coordinator. She’d seen numerous families go through the cancer journey, where a wish became a bright spot on the horizon.
“You never expect it to be your story. Until it is,” said Joyce Mullane, who was the lead volunteer on Josh’s wish to go to the Walt Disney World® Resort. As a wish-granting volunteer of seven years, Joyce’s grandson recently had a scare with cancer and she said, “I remember thinking how important a wish would be, feeling the support from people out there who care.”
Volunteers are like boats—they come alongside the weary to help them navigate rough waters. They leave the safety of shore to be a part of something more.
After seeing Joyce go above and beyond for her family, Jen felt compelled to be a volunteer. She wanted to captain a lifeboat, helping other wish families weather the greatest storm of their lives—like Joyce had done for her. On her first wish, Joyce was her partner! Now this dynamic duo is a wish-granting volunteer team!
“It’s one thing to know about the Make-A-Wish mission,” said Jen. “It’s another to feel it.” And now, Jen and Joyce help others experience it. Together.
Ready to jump in? Reach out to Lindsey Goss and discover what volunteer opportunity is right for you. “Helping others is ingrained in me. You never know when you’ll be the one in need.”- Joyce M.
Wish Night Gala & Auction – JOY called. YOU answered!
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house after Wish Night guests heard about Levi’s wish for a tent on wheels born from his desire to go fishing with his dad. Levi’s wish story, coupled with VIP silent and live auction items, created another inspiring event that raised $2.2 million for wishes!
Our WISH STARS of the night: Cortney Erin, dedicated Wish Night Chair and wish alum; Cassidy Huff, dynamic emcee and wish alum; and Everett, dad of the Kraken rookie goalie for the day – wish kid, Jackson.
Photo courtesy of Garret Wientrob
Mark your calendars and grab your friends for next year’s Wish Night on March 9, 2024 at the Seattle Westin.
Special Thanks to our sponsors:
Wish Heroes Luncheon- serving up smiles, strength and significance.
On June 1, a crowd of wish heroes ditched email and meetings to dine with purpose at the Westin Bellevue. Instead of capes, they wore smiles. Inspired by a panel of people who have witnessed the transformational power of a wish, our heroes GAVE BIG! Panelist and volunteer of 33 years, Tom Byrne said, “Such an important gift in life is the ability to Pay It Forward. You have the ability to make a difference in a child’s life. And their impact on us is indescribable!”
STRENGTH comes through service, by lifting others up. Reach out to Lindsey Goss and be a HERO for children in your community today! And THANK YOU TO OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS!
Thank you to our generous sponsors:
“Cheers for a cause”—it doesn’t get better than this!
Happiness Hour returns to Spokane and Anchorage this fall, so you can fill up on the good stuff: inspiration, food, beer, wine and community. Anticipate exciting auction items like last year’s Seattle Kraken weekend or a Cooper Landing fishing trip. And hear from special guests about how Make-A-Wish changed their lives.
Join us for this event in Anchorage on Saturday, October 7 or in Spokane on Thursday, November 9 and keep the happiness flowing for over 600 kids waiting for their life-affirming wishes. MARK YOUR CALENDAR and REGISTER TODAY:
Quench Your Thirst For Philanthropy
This summer, register to host a lemonade stand that benefits Make-A-Wish and your kid(s) will learn the joy of helping others and MORE!
- Last year, 21 lemonade stands throughout Washington raised over $38K.
- With your help, we can do more! Make-A-Wish helps you every step of the way.
Are you ready to do something sweet for wish kids? Email Jessica Quijada or sign up here.
DID YOU KNOW?
Your unwanted vehicle can be a treasure for Make-A-Wish. Through Wheels for Wishes, donating your car, boat, motorcycle, trailer or RV is FAST, FREE and EASY! Donor Raygel Esteban said, “It warms my heart knowing that a vehicle that has been in our family’s lives since 1996 has helped fulfill a wish.”
Benefits for you:
· Save time and energy by not having to sell your vehicle.
· Get a tax deduction and the paperwork is handled for you.
· Free Towing and vehicles are accepted in any condition. (Towing terms vary in AK)
· Bonus: help children with critical illnesses in your local community!
Last year, over 1,600 vehicles were donated to support our local wish kids. Find out how easy it is to turn your old “pumpkin” into a wish carriage here or call 1-855-278-9474 today.
Thank you, KOMO 4 News and Lotus Radio, for hosting the upcoming 14th annual Wishes In Flight Frequent Flyer Mileage Drive. Their support helps wish kids and their families see beyond the clouds of illness and FLY away from the hospital on a wish trip. Our air miles are running low, so we need your help! Tune into KOMO 4 News, KVI, Star and Northwest News Radio on Thursday, August 3, 2023 from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. to hear some inspirational wish stories and call in to make your donation of unused airline miles. OR, make your donation at any time online at wishesinflight.akwa.wish.org. We take donations from Alaska, Delta and United.
Thank you and gracias to KNDU in Tri Cities for hosting an on-air mileage drive and volunteer recruitment campaign. Right now, we need English and Spanish-speaking wish-granting volunteers – particularly bilingual. Contact Lindsey Goss to learn more about volunteering.
Thank you, Alaska’s News Source, for hosting the Million Mile Match sponsored by Bailey’s Furniture. Throughout April, they brought stories of HOPE into viewers’ living rooms which resulted in donations of more than 2M airline miles.
Thanks a million, Ariane Aramburo, for sharing wish stories in an impactful way, for being our Happiness Hour Emcee in Alaska and for your continued support of our mission.
How Ariane Shares Her Super Power With Us
As a news anchor on Alaska’s News Source the Morning Edition, Ariane Aramburo takes her job as a storyteller seriously. Stories can change perspective, and the ability to share stories that shapeshift opinions and beliefs is a superpower; one that Ariane uses for good.
Before reporting on wish stories, Ariane assumed that only terminal kids received wishes; however, she said, “…while conducting interviews with wish families, I got to understand their stories and realized families could get a break from the mundane, from hospital trips, through a wish. And it wasn’t just for terminal kids. It was for sick kids AND their whole family.”
During her tenure at the station, Ariane has covered numerous wish stories and emceed the chapter’s Happiness Hour event in Anchorage, where she inspired a room full of guests to get out of their chairs and form a long line by the Fund-A-Wish star board to pledge a gift.
“I don’t think people know the IMPACT that Make-A-Wish has on families, so I talk about how each story impacts me.” Ariane said, “These kids are brave! What they go through makes you step back and analyze your own life.”
Life gets busy. Stories make us pause, reflect, and, hopefully, take action.
Make-A-Wish is grateful for storytellers like Ariane. We also appreciate air miles. Anytime. Your donation directly impacts the lives of local children waiting for their wishes!
Photos courtesy of Alaska’s News Source
WHAT WE CARRY – A Wish Reflection
If you’ve ever had your hands full at the store, you find a shopping cart before something hits the floor. For eleven-year-old wish kid Ahimelec, Make-A-Wish became a cart that carried more than toys and clothes.
Diagnosed with leukemia and eager to engage with the world outside his hospital room, Ahimelec wished for a shopping spree. Shopping for whatever his heart desired felt freeing.
His mother Olga said, “He was really excited to have a computer and printer to print pages from the internet to color. He also bought a bike and remote-controlled cars so he and his brother can go to the park and play together.”
Hope and joy weren’t on Ahimelec’s shopping list, but they were present as soon as Ahimelec made his wish and remained while he waited. Olga said, “Normally Ahimelec sleeps in late, but for his wish day he told me, ‘Mom, you need to make sure we get up early so we arrive on time, or early!” There was a light shining in his eyes. He knew his wish was being granted that day and kept saying, “I want it to be here already!”
Childhood illness is a heavy load; one that a whole family carries. With support of his two wish-granting volunteers, Denise and Sandy, Walmart in Tacoma, Macy’s and the Bungie Foundation, Ahimelec experienced “a day he will always remember,” said his mom.
Olga said, “I want to thank Make-A-Wish and everyone who helped make this wish possible for Ahimelec. He’s not the only wish kid. There are other children whose wishes are being granted and I hope they enjoy their wish like Ahimelec enjoyed his. Every volunteer, worker, participant who made Ahimelec’s wish possible – we carry them in our hearts.”
YOU can be a cart that carries hope and joy for a wish kid who is waiting. Contact Lindsey Goss to find out what volunteer opportunity fits the gifts you have to give.
Coming Soon: Wishes of Kids Near You!
“I wish to go to Hawaii”
STARRING
MILA, from Western WA
“I wish to go to the Oregon Coast”
STARRING
BENJAMIN, from Eastern WA
“I wish to go to Walt DisneyWorld® Resort”
STARRING
AURORA, from Alaska
EN 
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