News - May 2008

The Pending Wish List at our Make-A-Wish^® chapter is no longer acceptable. We need to be able to grant the wishes of the eligible children as soon as they are referred by their medical professional as in need of the hope, strength and JOY that a wish promises. And when the national office of the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® understood how well our small staff and volunteers do at granting wishes – they said they wanted to help.

Thus, we proudly announce a first-ever $65,000 challenge matching grant to alleviate pending wishes! That means together, we must raise $65,000 in new donations prior to 8/1/08 and it will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

Help us raise this money for the Wish Children waiting in our area. Visit our Home Page to read more about the Challenge Matching Grant! Time is running out…..so feel free to email Development Director, Mary Hyde Langdon, if you have ideas or advice to help us secure the donation dollars needed.

New wishes of note – can you or someone you know help share the power of a wish^®?

We invite you also to volunteer to help make wishes magical. Do you have a contact or know anyone that could perhaps donate in-kind or help connect us to someone to make magic for the children below? You may even want to consider coordinating a memorable Wish Presentation Party, Wish Departure Party, Wish Welcome Home Party, or even the wish itself? Contact Karla Wagner if you can help with these newly made wishes:

Nikki wishes to meet the cast of The Simpsons!
Sarah wishes to be Snow White!
Josh wishes to go to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii!
Alec wishes to perform in the UIL competition with his marching band.
Tommy wishes to be a fireman!
Adrian wishes to go to a family reunion in Chicago!
Isaac wishes to have a home theater!

Mark your calendars- Sign up today!

Saturday, May 17, 2008 – Saturday June 1, 2008: Parade of Homes – Austin
Check out the latest in architecture design, interior decorating, pool design and landscape design at the 56th Annual Parade of Homes presented by the Home Builders Association of Greater Austin at the Waters Edge at Rough Hollow in Lakeway, Texas. The tours are open Thursday to Monday between 11am until 8pm beginning Saturday, May 17, 2008, and ending on Saturday, June 1, 2008. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for The Home Builders Association will be making a donation from the proceeds of this event up to $7,000 to help grant wishes for local area children. Click Here for additional information about the Parade of Homes.

Sunday, May 18, 2008: Chantal’s Bistro BBQ Benefit – Georgetown
Chow down on some delicious BBQ at Chantal’s Bistro & Wine Bar, 204 E. 8th Street, Georgetown, Texas, located in the historic Anderson house, on Saturday, May 18, 2008. The event is celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the Anderson house and runs from 2pm – 6pm. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $15 for ages 13 – 18. Children under 12 are free. A third of the proceeds from this event will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & South Texas. For more information, download the Event Flyer or contact Chantal’s Bistro & Wine Bar at 512-535-6143.

Saturday, July 5, 2008: WishRide – San Antonio , Austin, & Gruene
Come out and enjoy the extended Independence Day Weekend on Saturday, July 5, 2008, for the inaugural WishRide, a leisurely motorcycle ride through the beautiful Texas Hill Country to raise awareness and money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & South Texas. The ride will start in two locations, Javelina Harley-Davidson in Boerne and Cowboy Harley-Davidson in Austin . Riders and passengers will enjoy a few stops along the way before they arrive at the end of the ride in beautiful New Braunfels at Gruene Harley-Davidson. There will be food, drinks, live music by local bands Beans-N-Rice and 3 Man Front, a Hooters Bike Wash, Best/Worst in Show competition, and caricatures by Adam. Registration cost is $35.00/biker which includes wristband for food & drink at ride end, WishRide T-shirt, (1) raffle prize ticket at each stop (total of 5), and $10/passenger which includes wristband for food & drink at ride end. Passengers can upgrade for the full package for $35.00. Registration starts at 10am with all bikes on the road by 11am. To register or for more information go to Wish Ride 2008 or contact WishRide2008@satx.rr.com.

Saturday, July 12, 2008: General Volunteer Orientation & Wish Granter Training – San Antonio
We will be offering a General Volunteer Orientation from 9am– 10am followed by Volunteer Wish Granter Training from 10am - 12pm in San Antonio . Volunteers work in our office, at our events, sometimes attending presentation as a representative of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and of course as Wish Granters, helping with the child’s wish process. General Volunteer Orientation is required for all volunteers. Volunteer Wish Granter Training is an optional training offered to volunteers who want to be involved with granting Wishes. If you would like to attend one or both, please contact Scott Crews, Director of Special Events & Volunteers.

Interested in more summer fundraising, training, and social events for Make-A-Wish? Visit our Events Page.

Wishes granted in February and March

Wish Kids Ana Kate, Kelton, Jazmin, Dulcie, Esmerelda, Alasha, Jacob, Elizabeth and Anabella all experienced the magic of Disney World!
Adrian, Perla, Jose, Angel, Edmundo, Chandler, Cameron, Keith, and Gustavo went on a shopping spree!
Dustin received his BMX Bike!
Jay received her new Art Studio!
Gabi received a playscape in her backyard!
Ayumi met her idol Vanessa Hudgens from High School Musical!
Allen got to see the Dolphins and Whales at Sea World in San Diego!
Daniel met his favorite childrens author, Robert Munsch, when he received a surprise visitor in his classroom!
Harley saw the Northern Lights in Alaska!
Stephanie and Gloria experienced the beauty of Hawaii!
Joshua and Taylor were both guests of honor at WrestleMania 24 in Orlando!
Adam met his favorite Spurs player, Tim Duncan!
Kathy had her room redecorated into a “Secret Garden!”

Tidbits of Interest

Welcome new Chapter Administrative Assistant Charity Bracamontes. Charity has lived in Austin since 2006, bringing with her two daughters ages 4 and 11, from the Houston area. Her career has centered around helping children, particularly with the YMCA of Greater Houston for more than nine years.
Congratulations as you join with us to celebrate 2,500 Wishes Granted for our chapter!!!!!!!!!! This milestone is a compliment to 23 years worth of volunteers, contributors, and precious Wish Children for whom we have made a difference.
As we begin early discussions regarding the chapter’s upcoming 25th Anniversary, do you want to play a part in the Steering Committee? We invite you to bring your ideas to the table. Email Tammy Shaklee if interested. We would love to have your input.

How else can you help?
2008 Summer Airline Travel Can Grant a Wish

The miles keep adding up? Donate your airline miles from your travels to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central & South Texas. More than half of all wishes granted involve travel. Those miles can help send a child and their family on a wonderful wish with lasting memories. Check the national website to see how you can donate miles to benefit Wish Kids.

Please check the events calendar for more upcoming events and volunteer needs.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is proud to be a program of the Junior League of Austin. We are honored as a Placement Agency for JLA Volunteers, and a grant recipient! Thank you Junior League of Austin for your support!