CALDWELL, Idaho. (April 2023): Josue had no idea that dinner at his favorite restaurant was also a special celebration. That was until the general manager at Golden Corral came over and warmly greeted him with kind words and big surprises about his wish coming true. “Kids Wish Network told me all about you and gave me the privilege of letting you know that they’re sending you and your family to California. You’re going to Universal Studios, Disneyland, and will also personally meet Mario and Luigi!” he joyfully shared. “We also want to give you a round of applause for how brave you are and how excited we are for you.” Diners joined in, and the room echoed with congratulatory ovation. Staff at the restaurant also came together for Josue, gifting him a big LEGO set, and Golden Corral additionally invited his family back to their restaurant after his dream comes true. Dinners for the wish reveal were also courtesy of the restaurant.

Kids Wish Network flew Josue and his family to California for the adventure of a lifetime. From the get-go, he felt like Hollywood royalty. The Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City made his arrival a big deal, welcoming Josue with a banner, balloons, cookies, a cake, and tropical refreshments. The hotel provided his family with beautiful accommodations during his wish trip. 

Josue explored Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood for the first time, with the rides and shows beyond anything he could have imagined. While at Disneyland, he also enjoyed special attention at the Wish Lounge, being treated to a snack and having his photo taken with Goofy. Another highlight of his wish was experiencing Super Nintendo World, Universal’s much anticipated and newly opened land. He met his adored Mario character, and rode the immersive Mario Kart ride that put him inside the world of his favorite video game.

The restaurants they dined at reflected Josue’s indulgent cravings. He feasted on spaghetti at Buca di Beppo, and enjoyed dinners at Lazy Dog Restaurant and Los Amigos Restaurant. The family’s meals were courtesy of the restaurants.  Kids Wish Network also provided Domino’s gift cards and the means to cover a variety of incidentals on their trip. 

Before his condition was discovered, Josue began having severe headaches and nausea which led to testing and a diagnosis of medulloblastoma. It was a whirlwind of altered realities. Three days later he had surgery to remove the cancerous brain tumor, and he and his mom had to temporarily relocate to another state for his proton radiation treatments. Josue also underwent chemotherapy. 

Many Thanks 

Kids Wish Network could not have provided this wish to Josue without the help of Golden Corral (Nampa, Idaho), Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City, Universal Studios Hollywood, Buca di Beppo (Universal Citywalk), Los Amigos Restaurant (Burbank), Lazy Dog Restaurant (Orange), and the many supporters who believe in making wishes come true for kids who need hope. Visit www.kidswishnetwork.org to learn about our different programs.

Kids Wish Network has been making dreams come true for children since 1997. We are dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children experiencing life-altering situations. We started with the single purpose of granting wishes to children suffering from life-threatening conditions but have since created additional programs to benefit kids nationwide, including Hero of the Month, Project Toy Drop, Holiday of Hope Gift Banks, and A Child Forever Funeral Assistance.