Wish is Off the Leash with Paw Patrol Surprise and American Dream
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (May 2024): After Josie heard a knock at the door, she peeked out the window and saw Skye from Paw Patrol. She greeted her most adored pup with a big hug. Skye came over to play with Josie, and also had a big secret. Skye and Josie danced, played games, blew bubbles, and shared lots of smiles. The sweetest moment unfolded as Skye revealed to Josie that Kids Wish Network was making her dream come true. Josie was going to American Dream with water parks and rides to the extreme! She was so joyful. The celebration continued with a festive pink and purple Paw Patrol cake. Skye’s memorable visit was courtesy of Laurel’s Characters & Co., and Walmart provided her Girl Pup Power cake.
Josie’s family was flown by Kids Wish Network to New Jersey for their fun family adventure. Even the flight felt personalized, having Josie’s name announced as a special guest, and taking pictures with the pilots. After checking in to Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe, there was a big surprise waiting for Josie in her hotel room. She was gifted her own Paw Patrol bedding, balloons, books, stickers, bracelets, stuffed animals, a generous Build-A-Bear gift card, and handmade drawings from staff who also kindly donated their own money to purchase her abundant gifts. There were so many, that the hotel offered to ship them to her home. Her family’s beautiful accommodations were generously provided by Teaneck Marriott Glenpointe. “Everybody went above and beyond, and it was so amazing and a wonderful experience,” said her mom Lindsay.
It was a getaway full of family togetherness. Josie loves rides and water parks, and American Dream has both and more with its wonderland of water and theme parks, dining, stores and entertainment. They visited the attraction’s Nickelodeon Universe, the western hemisphere’s largest indoor theme park with lots of rides, roller coasters and character appearances. Josie also received an exciting surprise, having a personal meet and greet with Skye and Everest from Paw Patrol. Her family enjoyed another day at its DreamWorks Water Park, a massive indoor water park with so many slides, a lazy river, splashy fun and DreamWorks characters. SeaLife Aquarium was also memorable exploring all of its imaginative aquatic exhibits and underwater tunnel. Admission to Nickelodeon Universe and DreamWorks Water Park were courtesy of American Dream. Sea Life passes were provided by Merlin’s Magic Wand.
The restaurants also went all out to make her wish trip unforgettable. Houlihan’s set up a festive table with balloons, stuffed animals, a cup, backpack, and bracelets handmade by the general manager’s daughter. The Yard House brought out a special ice cream dessert for Josie, and she loved her meal at Paisano’s feasting on a huge helping of spaghetti. All of the restaurants were so hospitable, and donated her family’s meals.
“She had a smile on her face the whole time,” said her mom. “It was fantastic.”
Josie has Noonan syndrome and congenital heart defects. She had a laryngoplasty at three months old, a G-tube button implanted when she was one to assist with nutrition, and her first heart surgery at two years old. She’s expected to need a valve replacement therapy before her teen years. She continues to be monitored for her health complications, and undergoes speech, physical and occupational therapies at school.
Many Thanks
Kids Wish Network could not have provided this wish to Josie without the help of Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe, American Dream, Nickelodeon Universe, DreamWorks Water Park, Merlin’s Magic Wand, Laurel’s Characters & Co., Houlihan’s, Yard House, Paisano’s , and the many supporters who believe in making wishes come true for kids who need hope.
Sponsors:
Laurel’s Characters & Co.
FB: www.facebook.com/laurelscharactersandco/
IG: laurelscharactersandco
Walmart Supercenter #4479
www.walmart.com/store/4479-perrysburg-oh
Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe
www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/ewrgp-teaneck-marriott-at-glenpointe
FB: www.facebook.com/teaneckmarriottatglenpointe
IG: teaneckmarriott
Yard House
www.yardhouse.com/locations/nj/east-rutherford/east-rutherford-american-dream-mall/8390
FB: www.facebook.com/YardHouseEastRutherfordAmericanDreamMall/
IG: yardhouse
Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park
www.americandream.com/venue/nickelodeon-universe
DreamWorks Water Park
www.americandream.com/venue/dreamworks-water-park
American Dream
FB: www.facebook.com/americandreamofficial/
IG: americandream
Paisano’s
FB: www.facebook.com/paisanosrutherford
IG: paisanosnj
Houlihan’s
www.houlihans.com/location/houlihans-secaucus/
FB: www.facebook.com/HoulihansSecaucus/
IG: houlihans
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.