Top Secret Mission Honors Wish Kid with Rank and Orlando Getaway
ORLANDO, Fla. (September 2024): When Anais grows up, she wants to be a police officer. This made her surprise visit to the West Covina Police Department one for the books. She was sworn in as an honorary Junior Officer, feeling very official wearing the uniform, badge, and accessories they gifted her. Anais also rode in a police car, sat on a police motorcycle, and explored a SWAT vehicle. Her celebration included a cake, and another top-secret mission. The Police Chief announced that Kids Wish Network was making Anais’ dream come true with a trip to Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando! The happiness that she felt lingered. Anais was all smiles when she later told her mom she was going to Disney and became a police officer. Her excitement continued with so much to look forward to.
Kids Wish Network flew Anais and her mom cross country to Florida for her dream getaway. It was Anais’ first time on an airplane, and she felt so special getting to meet the pilots on her flight, and receiving her first pilot wings. It was a memorable beginning to all the fun ahead.
The theme parks were so exciting to experience for the first time. Each park was a new adventure. At Animal Kingdom, she loved going on safari and seeing all the exotic animals roam free, especially the lions, zebras, okapis, Komodo dragons and alligators. At Universal and Islands of Adventure, her favorite attractions were Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, VelociCoaster and Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls getting completely soaked! Highlights of the Magic Kingdom were exploring Cinderella’s castle and getting to ride Tron twice in a row.
Dinner at Planet Hollywood in Disney Springs was also stellar. The atmosphere was high energy with a massive state of the art video wall, entertainment, and collection of rare Hollywood memorabilia. Anais had fun dancing beside her own video screen dining table, and drinking from her light up souvenir cup. Their meals were courtesy of Planet Hollywood. They were also graciously invited to dinners by wish sponsors Bahama Breeze and Red Robin.
Accommodations were donated by Springhill Suites Orlando at FLAMINGO CROSSINGS Town Center/Western Entrance. Anais had a wonderful stay and especially enjoyed their pool.
“The wish was amazing and surreal, it was something we needed,” said her mom Ashlye. “I’m so happy she was so happy, and I’m so grateful. I found myself having a few corny moments where I was just staring at her. To think about the possibility of her not being here at all is crazy and she did so good. I was so proud of her.”
Anais has been through so much battling medulloblastoma, a cancerous brain tumor. The day after her diagnosis she underwent surgery to have the tumor removed, and was hospitalized for weeks. Anais went through months of radiation, followed by nine rounds of chemotherapy involving three to five day hospital stays. She continues to have MRIs, and sees a hematologist to monitor her health.
Many Thanks
Kids Wish Network could not have provided this wish to Anais without the help of the West Covina Police Department, Springhill Suites Orlando at FLAMINGO CROSSINGS Town Center/Western Entrance, Planet Hollywood, and the many supporters who believe in making wishes come true for kids who need hope. Also special thanks to Bahama Breeze and Red Robin for their support.
Sponsors:
West Covina Police Department
FB: https://www.facebook.com/WestCovinaPD/
IG: @westcovinapd
X: @WestCovinaPD
SpringHill Suites Orlando at FLAMINGO CROSSINGS Town Center/Western Entrance
FB: https://www.facebook.com/SpringHillSuitesOrlandoFlamingo/
IG: @mariottbonvoy
X: @SHSFlamingoXing
Planet Hollywood
https://www.planethollywoodintl.com/restaurants/orlando
FB: https://www.facebook.com/planethollywood/
IG: @planethollywood
X: @ PlanetHollywood
Bahama Breeze
https://www.bahamabreeze.com/happy-hour/fl/orlando-restaurant/3001
FB: https://www.facebook.com/BahamaBreezeOrlandoFL3001/
X: @BahamaBreeze
Red Robin
https://locations.redrobin.com/fl/orlando/554/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/RedRobinInternationalDrive554/
IG: @redrobinburgers
X: @redrobinburgers
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.
Every kid’s wish is worth the investment because every wish changes a life.
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 727-789-0008.