July 15th, 2010
For almost exactly a year now, groups of volunteers from local Kohl’s stores in Clearwater and New Port Richey have been stopping by and helping out in our warehouse. While they’re out there, they do all sorts of awesome things like packing and sorting toys for the children we help. It’s amazing what they do and we all really appreciate it – so do the kids!
Today, they were out there again with their cheery voices ringing throughout the warehouse as they sorted, packed bead kits (a favorite of kids everywhere) and even stamped books so we can send them out nationwide. The Kohl’s volunteers even helped us put together our in-office silent mascot, Sully, from Disney/PIXAR’s “Monsters, Inc.” What a group!
So, from all of us at Kids Wish Network to all of our awesome Kohl’s volunteers, we’d like to extend our warmest thanks for all that you do. You rock!
Tags: Kids Wish Network, kohls, volunteer
Posted in Blog, Wish Department | No Comments »
July 9th, 2010
As I get older my priorities change. That is probably the case with most people. Experiences in life, both good and bad, tend to alter the perceptions we have of the world. Since working at Kids Wish Network, my perception has been changed for the good.
I have always been a fairly positive person. I make a point to find the good in every situation, even if I have to dig deep to find it. Not that I have experienced an abundance of negative situations in my life; I’ve led a relatively sheltered, normal 24 years. And, because of that, it used to be that life’s everyday bumps and bruises would send me in a tailspin.
This is no longer the case.
I’ve been at Kids Wish Network for over a year and my eyes have been opened to what real worry and stress is. Some of our kids go through trials that no one – especially a small child – should endure. I listen to their parents’ quiet pleas for some help, any help. Some are optimistic, putting their faith in higher powers, and others are desperate for a reprieve from their situation.
I do not have any kids, so for me to say I can relate to or that I understand what they are going through would be nonsensical. I don’t know how they feel and I can’t even begin to imagine how hard things are.
But what I can relate to is the happiness they feel when they find out their child is getting his or her wish.
Granting wishes to these children is one of our main goals here at Kids Wish Network. We don’t do it just because it is our job. We do it because we genuinely enjoy seeing the smile on the face of a child who previously had tears in his or her eyes. We do it because it is rewarding for us to know that we helped brighten the life of a child in crisis, even if only for a moment.
My job in granting the wishes of children at Kids Wish Network is minimal: but I still play a part. Rather than worrying about the small snags in life, I now focus on the huge blessings I have been given and think of ways I can use them to better someone’s life.
Elizabeth
Wish Department
Tags: Kids Wish Network, outlook
Posted in Blog, Wish Department | No Comments »
June 30th, 2010
DENVER – Kids Wish Network and the Mile High AMBUCS gave an 8-year-old Denver boy his dream: a new bike.
Jonathan suffers from Microcephaly, Cerebral Palsy and a seizure disorder. He requires supervision and undergoes various therapies each week. He must wear special braces while walking and has very low muscle tone and stamina.
“A teacher that used to work with Jonathan and has helped us a lot referred Jonathan to Kids Wish Network,” said Jonathan’s mother Edna.
When it came time to confirm Jonathan’s wish, he decided that he wanted a special bike that he could ride without any help. His Kids Wish Network wish coordinator got to work and came in contact with an awesome group of people at the Mile High AMBUCS. With the help of Ed, the Ambility Program Coordinator at the Mile High AMBUCS, Jonathan was soon riding his very own AmTryke Tricycle.
“Jonathan came up for a tryke fitting and we decided we would just give it [the tryke] to him at the event and figure out the details of paying for it later. We thought, ‘we have these trykes here. Let’s just give him one,’” Ed said.
According to the AMBUCS website, AMBUCS is a non-profit service organization consisting of a diverse group of men and women who are dedicated to creating mobility and independence for people with disabilities.
Because of his illnesses, Jonathan is not able to ride a standard bike. But his new tryke is specially designed so he can ride on his own.
“The model is the ProSeries 1416 therapeutic tryke which is designed for larger children [ages 6 to 12-years-old] and provides extra trunk support for children with balance issues or low muscle tone,” Ed said.
Edna said that the tryke has been a dream come true for Jonathan.
“He loves it. He will not get off the bike,” Edna said. “He slept with it in his room the first night. This was his wish and my wish for him. Now he can feel like he is a part of it when he sees other kids on their bikes. I’m blessed.”
Kids Wish Network would like to thank the following for making Jonathan’s wish such a special experience: Mile High AMBUCS
Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children in crisis. Every child deserves a chance at happiness; a wish is just a way of bringing them that joy. If you would like to sponsor a child’s wish or if you know a child who is suffering from a life-threatening illness and may be in need of Kids Wish Network’s wish granting services, please call 727-937-3600 or toll free 888-918-9004. For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit their website at www.kidswishnetwork.org
Tags: AMBUCS, bike, Kids Wish Network, Wish
Posted in Press Releases | No Comments »
June 18th, 2010
It has come to our attention that, in an effort to scam people out of their money, fraudulent calls are being made using Kids Wish Network’s name.
The scammers are calling saying they are from Kids Wish Network and telling people they have won the grand prize in a sweepstakes contest. The prizes range in the amount of $350,000 to $485,000. To claim the prize, the caller tells the individual that they must send 1% of the grand prize amount to the caller – or in one instance they asked the individual to purchase an insurance policy through American Fidelity Insurance Co.
Please be advised that these calls ARE NOT legitimate. Although Kids Wish Network does conduct legitimate sweepstakes giveaways, we DO NOT contact winners by phone and we DO NOT ask our winners to send money in order to receive their prize. And a contribution is NOT necessary to enter Kids Wish Network’s sweepstakes.
If you receive a phone call such as this, DO NOT send money to the caller. This is a SCAM. You should also report any calls like this to your local authorities.
Tags: fraud, Kids Wish Network, scam
Posted in Current News | No Comments »
June 2nd, 2010
Kids Wish Network is the place,
where you will see a friendly face.
Every morning you walk in,
D. will greet you with a grin.
Down the hall just a few steps,
Alicia is seated at her desk.
If someone calls who only speaks Spanish,
Alicia can take it, so please don’t panic.
Kathleen is the bearer of various treats,
for a small price they are yours to eat.
If a binder, or notebook, or pencil you lack,
Kathy is the woman who can remedy that.
And don’t be afraid if your computer is iffy,
Tam will have it fixed in a jiffy.
Shelley and Karma aren’t hard to find,
if you see Shelley, Karma is close behind.
Round the corner a few lovely ladies you’ll see,
Anna, Megan, Donna, Doris, Robie, Lisa and Penny.
Working together to raise enough cash,
to ensure our wish kids all have a blast.
A few inches more and you’ll meet Jill,
her wish granting services give our children a thrill.
Just nearby are Jen and Carrie,
the wishes they create make our wish kids oh so merry.
Madeline, oh Madeline, she can do it all,
and it usually takes her only one call.
Susan and Margo run the Hero show,
creating memories for children who would have otherwise been told ‘no.’
And if you have a story to tell,
Alicia, our editor, can write it quite well.
If you dare to enter the cave of doom,
you will find Israel seated in the above mentioned room.
He fixes the website and does all the graphics,
give him a project and he’ll have at it.
Ashley, Heather and Barbara alike,
get tons of toys donated for thousands of tykes.
With the help of Mike, Audrea, Mike and Tim,
once fearful and scared children will be smiling again.
And then there’s me, I make a lot of calls.
trying to find the children who need us most of all.
Together we work hard to make dreams come true,
grateful to be able to do what we do.
Brightening a child’s life who has experienced lots of hurt,
Is just a day in the life of an employee at Kids Wish Network.
Elizabeth
Wish Department
Tags: Kids Wish Network
Posted in Blog, Wish Department | 1 Comment »
|
