Children in countries all over the world will be crossing their fingers on April 29 as part of World Wish Day. The month of April also marks the 30th anniversary of the wish that inspired the creation of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Since then, more than 240,000 kids around the globe have had their greatest wishes granted.
Locally, a total of four tri-counties area wishes—including a shopping spree in downtown San Luis Obispo—are slated to become reality on or around Word Wish Day.
In Santa Barbara County, there are 18 seriously ill children expecting to get their wishes granted. However, more volunteer wish granters are needed to make those wishes come true. A training session will be held in Santa Barbara on May 1, and applications are now being accepted.
“Our greatest shortage of volunteer Wish Granters is in Santa Barbara County,” foundation CEO Shanna Wasson Taylor said in a release to the media. “We need the support of the local community to help make these wishes come true.”
Wishes can range from a trip to Disneyland to being a police officer for a day, and cost an average of $5,000 each. With that in mind, the foundation is also seeking cash donations, corporate sponsorships, and the donation of goods and services like frequent flyer miles and new backpacks.
For more information about helping the Tri-Counties Make-A-Wish Foundation, call 676-9474 or send an e-mail to jboehrer@tri-counties.wish.org. Donations can also be made online at tri-counties.wish.org.
School Scene is compiled by News Editor Amy Asman. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in Apr 22-29, 2010.