Make-A-Wish® Connecticut http://ct.wish.org We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Wed, 16 May 2012 19:51:23 +0000 http://lyceum.ibiblio.org/?v=1.0.2 en I wish to bake a cake with Buddy from Cake Boss! http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/16/i-wish-to-bake-a-cake-with-buddy-from-cake-boss/ http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/16/i-wish-to-bake-a-cake-with-buddy-from-cake-boss/#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 19:49:14 +0000 ct-admin Wishes http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/16/i-wish-to-bake-a-cake-with-buddy-from-cake-boss/ Giana has always loved to bake. For as long as she can remember, one of her favorite times of year is around the holidays when she and her family enjoy all the delicious Italian pastries from the local pastry shops, and especially the treats she’d bake herself!

When Giana was diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition, her world was turned upside down. She would have to adjust to a completely different day-to-day routine that included doctors, hospitals, treatments, and missing out on the most important thing - being a kid. But Giana kept her spirits up and a smile perched on her face through it all…something her family observed with admiration and pride. She continued to focus on the things in life that made her happy - like watching “Cake Boss” with Buddy from Hoboken, NJ. It’s been one of Giana’s favorite shows for quite a long time, and everytime she turned it on, her mind began to wander, thinking of what it would be like if she could bake a cake with Buddy herself.

When Giana was asked what her one true wish would be, she had to think long and hard. After deliberating this incredible decision, she made the choice to travel to Hoboken, meet Buddy, and bake that cake she always wanted to bake!

Giana’s wish was one to remember. She and her family were escorted by limo to New Jersey and spent three days in a beautiful hotel overlooking the lower end of Manhattan. But this was just “icing on the cake,” as Giana’s real wish come true was about to begin.

When her big day arrived, Giana and a few other wish kids from all around the world were driven to the bakery in a stretch limo, and from that moment on they were treated like royalty. In Buddy’s words, “we’re going to eat alot today,” and he wasn’t kidding! Everywhere they turned, Giana and her family were trying new delicious treats from Buddy’s shop. And when it came time to bake her own cake, Giana was ready to go. She even got to meet Buddy’s entire family and his assistants, each of whom helped out on her master design. When it was all finished, Giana got to bring the cake home to share with friends and family!

Meeting Buddy was one of the most exciting moments for Giana. But those days, weeks, and even months leading up to her big day were even more important. It was that hope, strength and joy she experienced whenever she thought about her big day that gave Giana an extra boost during difficult times. Giana is a proud member of the Make-A-Wish family and we are so happy to have made her wish come true!

]]> http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/16/i-wish-to-bake-a-cake-with-buddy-from-cake-boss/feed/ Wishes come true at the zoo! http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/14/wishes-come-true-at-the-zoo/ http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/14/wishes-come-true-at-the-zoo/#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 18:34:59 +0000 ct-admin News http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/14/wishes-come-true-at-the-zoo/ Less than 1 week until our first-ever evening Walk for Wishes on Saturday, May 19th at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo!

We’ve got lots of great additions this year including a Touch a Truck featuring police vehicles, a walk through the zoo with a kids scavenger hunt, kids entertainment, music, food and free carousel rides!

Our friends at Sun Products have also arranged 25 incredible baskets for the Wish Upon A Star teacup auction (cash or checks accepted)! Check out our supporters section to see our featured vendors!
 
Our goal is to raise $60,000 and we need your help to reach it! At the average cost of $8,500 per wish, that’s more than 7 wishes that will be granted through this event alone! Help us to spread the word by forwarding this email and asking friends to support you on Facebook and Twitter!
 
Registration is $10 for a night filled with a whole lot of fun, some great prizes, and a chance to make a difference in the life of a child with a life-threatening medical condition. You can also make registration easier by selecting one person to register your group. Any donations or registration fees not made online should be recorded on a pledge sheet. Anyone who hasn’t registered online also needs to complete a registration form for the 19th.

Contact Tara Navara at 203 880 6967 or tara@ct.org with questions or to receive a pledge sheet or registration form.
 
Thank you for making wishes come true! See you at the zoo!

]]> http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/14/wishes-come-true-at-the-zoo/feed/ Airline Miles can Help Grant Children’s Wishes through the Wishes in FlightSM program http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/08/airline-miles-can-help-grant-children%e2%80%99s-wishes-through-the-wishes-in-flightsm-program/ http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/08/airline-miles-can-help-grant-children%e2%80%99s-wishes-through-the-wishes-in-flightsm-program/#comments Tue, 08 May 2012 15:36:36 +0000 ct-admin News http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/08/airline-miles-can-help-grant-children%e2%80%99s-wishes-through-the-wishes-in-flightsm-program/ Emily’s Make-A-Wish ® adventure started long before she caught a glimpse of her first wild elephant: Stepping onto the jetway for an intercontinental flight to Africa was the true beginning of her wish.
 

Many wishes like Emily’s come true with help from frequent fliers. Their donations of air miles are essential to getting wish kids to their destinations. Donating air miles through the Foundation’s Wishes in FlightSM program is easy – and the miles never expire once they’re in the Foundation’s account. Nearly 70 percent of the wishes granted nationwide by Make-A-Wish last year included air travel for families to reach their wish destinations. The Foundation estimates that 2.5 billion donated airline miles are needed to provide wish travel for wish kids and their families each year.
 

 “Make-A-Wish arranges travel for wish kids to reach their wish destinations, whether it’s to meet a celebrity, go to their favorite theme park or reconnect with a close friend who moved away,” said Michael Dominick, Communications Manager for Make-A-Wish Connecticut. “Donating unused airline miles is a great way for supporters to help us grant children’s wishes and give them an experience that improves the quality of life for them and their families.”
 

Many major airlines based in the United States allow members of their frequent flier programs to donate airline miles to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. If you have air miles with Delta, US Airways, Continental, or United, you hold the ticket to a child’s wishSM. Frequent fliers can learn more about donating their air miles today at www.ct.wish.org.
 

Every traveler can be part of a life-affirming wish. All it takes is a simple airline miles donation!
 

About Make-A-Wish® Connecticut
Make-A-Wish Connecticut grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.  Wish-come-true experiences can do wonders by providing a much-needed break from lengthy hospital stays and medical treatments. They give back to a child what a serious medical condition can take away—the chance to simply enjoy being a kid. Wish kids choose something that will inspire happiness, and spend precious time with their families. The Connecticut chapter has made almost 2,200 wishes come true since its inception in 1986. Learn more about Connecticut wishes at www.ct.wish.org, or join Make-A-Wish on Facebook (search Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut, Inc.) or follow us on Twitter @makeawishct.


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]]> http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/08/airline-miles-can-help-grant-children%e2%80%99s-wishes-through-the-wishes-in-flightsm-program/feed/ I wish to go on a shopping spree! http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/02/i-wish-to-go-on-a-shopping-spree-5/ http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/02/i-wish-to-go-on-a-shopping-spree-5/#comments Wed, 02 May 2012 18:18:21 +0000 ct-admin Wishes http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/02/i-wish-to-go-on-a-shopping-spree-5/ Meet 18-year-old Marquis from New Britain. Marquis has many hobbies and interests, especially sports. Marquis’ teenage years have been filled with ups and downs, as he has had to battle through the struggles that come with a life-threatening medical condition. But with his mother at his side, Marquis has been steadfast and determined to overcome his condition and never let it get him down.

Marquis’ wish was to go on the shopping spree of his dreams. What better way to celebrate the happy end to a long road then by filling your life with the things you love and you’ve missed the most???

Marquis’ wish started off with a bang - he and his mother were picked by a limosuine at their house and escorted to the mall, where for an entire day he shopped in all his favorite stores. From Ralph Lauren, to Macy’s, to Champs, fye, and even Holister, Marquis made sure not to miss a thing! And to top it all off, he and his mother enjoyed a delicious feast at one of Marquis’ favorite restaurants, Chilli’s. In fact, Chilli’s was so excited to be a part of Marquis’ wish that they donated gift certificates to cover his meal!

Marquis went home with a brand new TV, some top notch sneakers, and a whole bunch of new CDs and clothes. But the best part about Marquis’ wish was that everytime he turns on his TV, listens to one of his CDs, or wears one of his new t-shirts or sneakers, he will be able to relive the happy memories he and his mother shared on that special day, when they celebrated Marquis’ health and the long happy road he has ahead of him.

Wish granted!

]]> http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/02/i-wish-to-go-on-a-shopping-spree-5/feed/ Dunkin’ Donuts helps make wishes come true http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/02/dunkin-donuts-helps-make-wishes-come-true/ http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/02/dunkin-donuts-helps-make-wishes-come-true/#comments Wed, 02 May 2012 12:36:57 +0000 ct-admin News http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/02/dunkin-donuts-helps-make-wishes-come-true/ Dunkin’ Donuts has partnered with Make-A-Wish in an effort to make wishes come true for kids with life-threatening medical conditions. Right now, you can buy a $25 DD Dunkin’ Donuts card through our Wishes DelivereD program and receive $5 FREE on them! For every card sold, Dunkin’ Donuts will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish. 

 

Head out to your local Dunkin’ Donuts or visit www.wisheDD.com to learn how you can help share the power of a wish.

]]> http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/02/dunkin-donuts-helps-make-wishes-come-true/feed/ 2nd Annual Shaun Stebbins Memorial Golf Tournament http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/01/2nd-annual-shaun-stebbins-memorial-golf-tournament/ http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/01/2nd-annual-shaun-stebbins-memorial-golf-tournament/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 15:12:52 +0000 ct-admin Events http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/01/2nd-annual-shaun-stebbins-memorial-golf-tournament/ The 2nd Annual Shaun Stebbins Memorial Golf Tournament will take place on August 18th at the University Club in Willimantic, CT. Last year’s event was a huge success, raising over $7,000 for Make-A-Wish Connecticut and other charities! This wonderful contribution was the result of dedicated family and friends, supporting a fond remembrance and a generous cause.

More details on becomming involved with the 2nd Annual Shaun Stebbins Memorial Golf Tournament will soon be posted!

]]> http://ct.wish.org/2012/05/01/2nd-annual-shaun-stebbins-memorial-golf-tournament/feed/ CrossFit Milford’s 2nd Annual Gladiator Gauntlet http://ct.wish.org/2012/04/27/crossfit-milfords-2nd-annual-gladiator-gauntlet/ http://ct.wish.org/2012/04/27/crossfit-milfords-2nd-annual-gladiator-gauntlet/#comments Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:33:47 +0000 ct-admin Events http://ct.wish.org/2012/04/27/crossfit-milfords-2nd-annual-gladiator-gauntlet/ CrossFit Milford’s 2nd Annual Galdiator Gauntlet….
benefitting Make-A-Wish Connecticut!
Saturday June 16th 2012 10:00am
Eisenhower Park in Milford
CrossFit Teams of four will be competing for title.. Top Gladiators!
Teams will have to complete a 2.5 mile course through streams, woods, fields, up, over, under obstacles and finish different mini WODS along the way!!  Last year we had over 140 athletes compete and all proceeds went to the Make-A-Wish Foundation!
If you have any questions or would like to become a Corporate Sponsor of this awesome event please contact Kathy at kathy@crossfitmilford.com!
We look forward to another great day for an incredible organization. 
Make-A-Wish and CrossFit Milford
Helping make kids wishes come true!!

]]> http://ct.wish.org/2012/04/27/crossfit-milfords-2nd-annual-gladiator-gauntlet/feed/ I wish to go to Disney World! http://ct.wish.org/2012/04/25/i-wish-to-go-to-disney-world-4/ http://ct.wish.org/2012/04/25/i-wish-to-go-to-disney-world-4/#comments Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:57:32 +0000 ct-admin Wishes http://ct.wish.org/2012/04/25/i-wish-to-go-to-disney-world-4/ Carlos is a wonderful, kind and loving kid from New Haven. Even though he has had to deal with a long battle against a life-threatening medical condition, nothing has kept Carlos from doing what people love about him most - smiling. Carlos has always been able to fill a room with joy from his infectious happy attitude and incredible outlook on life.

When Carlos was told he could have his one true wish granted, he made it pretty clear that he wished to go to Walt Disney World! Carlos loves all the Disney characters and movies, especially Lightning McQueen from Cars, and this was his big change to go meet them all in person! But Carlos had no idea what was truly in store for him when he arrived in Orlando…

Carlos and his family were treated like royalty for an entire week. From the very beginning of their adventure, Carlos was escorted to the airport in a limo!!! But that was just the beginning. Carlos and his family also stayed at Give Kids The World Village in Orlando, which was more than just a hotel. It is an entire kingdom filled with pools, slides, playgrounds, beautiful villas, a carousel, and even a round-the-clock ice cream parlor! And to top it all off, Carlos enjoyed the company of the Village Mayor, Clayton the Rabbit, who took quite a liking to Carlos throughout the week. Disney characters often visit the village as well, and there are countless shows, games and other activities for kids and adults alike…it was as if Carlos didn’t even have to leave the village to have a dream vacation!

Carlos enjoyoed all the different theme parks and met many different characters…even friends of Disney like Spongebob Squarepants! But the best part of all was that Carlos had the chance to get away from his daily routine of doctors and treatments…he was able to be with the people he loves the most, his family, in one of the most magical places on earth. For Carlos, this was truly a wish come true.

]]> http://ct.wish.org/2012/04/25/i-wish-to-go-to-disney-world-4/feed/ Make-A-Wish® Celebrating “World Wish Day®” April 29 by Granting Wishes Across the Globe http://ct.wish.org/2012/04/23/make-a-wish%c2%ae-celebrating-%e2%80%9cworld-wish-day%c2%ae%e2%80%9d-april-29-by-granting-wishes-across-the-globe/ http://ct.wish.org/2012/04/23/make-a-wish%c2%ae-celebrating-%e2%80%9cworld-wish-day%c2%ae%e2%80%9d-april-29-by-granting-wishes-across-the-globe/#comments Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:03:42 +0000 ct-admin News http://ct.wish.org/2012/04/23/make-a-wish%c2%ae-celebrating-%e2%80%9cworld-wish-day%c2%ae%e2%80%9d-april-29-by-granting-wishes-across-the-globe/ On April 29, more than 30 years to the day after a young boy named Chris was granted his wish to be a police officer for a day, Make-A-Wish supporters around the world will celebrate World Wish Day in honor of the wish that sparked a global wish-granting movement.

Make-A-Wish will mark World Wish Day with celebrations throughout the United States and 47 other countries in which it operates by celebrating wishes being granted on that day. Every 23 minutes, Make-A-Wish grants the wish of a child with a life-threatening medical condition somewhere in the world.

Many celebrities and professional athletes are granting wishes in honor of World Wish Day throughout April. On April 29, Thomson Reuter’s electronic billboard in Times Square will feature a special World Wish Day video, which includes celebrities such as John Cena, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Buddy Valastro, Jon Stewart, Nigel Barker and Tiffani Thiessen. The video will debut on the Make-A-Wish America YouTube channel on Monday, April 23. Chief Wish Ambassador Michael Jordan kicked off the World Wish Day festivities by granting Lucas’ wish to meet him at the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational golf tournament in Las Vegas.

Several Make-A-Wish sponsors are coordinating special World Wish Day promotions, including Maggiano’s, Disney Store, Brooks Brothers, Macy’s, Hard Rock International, Dave & Buster’s and BLOCKBUSTER Express.

During the month of April, US Airways invites Dividend Miles members to donate their miles to one of five national nonprofits, including Make-A-Wish. For every 5,000 miles donated, US Airways will match the first 1,000 miles, up to 25,000 per donor. Visit wish.org/dividend to donate today.

“World Wish Day represents an opportunity to share how wishes make life better for everyone involved and showcase the creativity of wish granters around the world,” said David A. Williams, president and chief executive officer of Make-A-Wish America. “The anniversary of the wish that started it all is an occasion to celebrate, and an important reminder that there are lots of ways for people to help us reach the 27,000 kids diagnosed with a life-threatening medical condition every year and grant them each a life-changing wish.” ]]> http://ct.wish.org/2012/04/23/make-a-wish%c2%ae-celebrating-%e2%80%9cworld-wish-day%c2%ae%e2%80%9d-april-29-by-granting-wishes-across-the-globe/feed/ Tickets still available for Saturday’s “Evening of Wishes” Gala at Mohegan Sun http://ct.wish.org/2012/04/19/tickets-still-available-for-saturdays-evening-of-wishes-gala-at-mohegan-sun/ http://ct.wish.org/2012/04/19/tickets-still-available-for-saturdays-evening-of-wishes-gala-at-mohegan-sun/#comments Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:15:43 +0000 ct-admin News http://ct.wish.org/2012/04/19/tickets-still-available-for-saturdays-evening-of-wishes-gala-at-mohegan-sun/ The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Connecticut will celebrate wishes come true for Connecticut kids with life-threatening medical conditions at its “Evening of Wishes” Gala on April 21st at the Mohegan Sun Casinos in Uncasville, Connecticut. The Connecticut chapter has granted over 2,000 wishes since its inception in 1986, from puppies to backyard playgrounds, from meeting a favorite movie star to visiting the beaches of Normandy.

The Annual “Evening of Wishes” Gala will celebrate the wonderful story of wish recipient Jamie Botteon, from Bristol. Jamie’s wish came true when she and her family departed on a tropical adventure to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas this January. Jamie and her family will be the guests of honor, representing the Foundation and its incredible efforts to bring hope, strength and joy to a child in a time of need. The evening will feature music, dancing and exciting live and silent auctions with countless items to bid on. Also joining in the celebration will be celebrity chef Robert Irvine of the Food Network’s “Restaurant Impossible,” who will create and present an exclusive amazing dinner menu live.

For more information or to find out how you can join the “Evening of Wishes” Gala, visit www.ct.wish.org or call 203-261-9044 today!

About the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Connecticut, Inc.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Connecticut grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.  Wish-come-true experiences can do wonders by providing a much-needed break from lengthy hospital stays and medical treatments. They give back to a child what a serious medical condition can take away—the chance to simply enjoy being a kid. Wish kids choose something that will inspire happiness, and spend precious time with their families. The Connecticut chapter has made over 2,000 wishes come true since its inception in 1986. Learn more about Connecticut wishes at www.ct.wish.org, or join Make-A-Wish on Facebook (search Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut, Inc.) and follow us on Twitter @makeawishct.
 

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