Northern Nevada team makes dreams come true
by Jennifer Sweeney, Outpost Staff
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In this Package: Lorenzo's Oil burns bright for ALD On the Web Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northern Nevada |
In terms of staff, she's a little shorthanded. But when it comes to heart and commitment, Sweeney and her team of dedicated volunteers are doing just fine.
Since their Executive Director, Lynne Lance, left in January, Sweeney has been running the small office alone. She relies on a core group of volunteers and a dedicted board, whose honorary members include Dottie Raggio, Jon Killoran, sportscaster on Channel 4, and Judge Mills Lane.
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Kate finds a clear spot to accept a new wish kid. Photo by Jennifer Sweeney |
The job is granting the wishes of terminally ill children in Northern Nevada. MAW was founded as a non-profit organization in 1980 in Arizona. A young boy named Christopher had leukemia, but wanted to be a policeman when he grew up. The officers of the Arizona State Police granted his wish, giving him a special uniform, badge and helicopter ride. Two weeks later, Christopher died. In 1982, Northern Nevada became the first chapter. Today the Foundation is a national organization with 82 chapters. This past August they granted their 50,000th wish.
On average, the Northern Nevada chapter grants 30 wishes per year, each costing about $4,100. Wishes are categorized four ways: wanting to go somewhere, wanting to be something, wanting to meet someone, or a special gift.
MAW relies on contributions from the community and fundraising to finance the wishes. Their most successful annual fundraiser is the Carson-Douglas-Tahoe Board of Realty "Wine and Roses." This wine tasting and silent auction usually raises $25,000 for the Foundation. Another popular event is the annual State of the Art Auction planned for late March.
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The office walls are coveredwith wish collages. Photo by Jennifer Sweeney |
Tucker, a contract paralegal, says she doesn't feel like she's doing something for the family so they'll be grateful. She just likes to see the smiles on their faces.
She tells the story of granting her first wish. Tucker was on the wish granting team for Melissa, 15, who wanted a computer. When they presented her with her gift the family was so grateful. "It was beautiful to see Melissa's 18-year-old brother going around hugging everyone and thanking them for helping his sister. That's why I do this," she said.
"Wish kids" are referred to MAW by their physician or social worker. The wish granters try to pin down exactly what the child wants, not a coached expression of what the parents would like.
"Rarely do kids want to get a car fixed," said Sue Karon, a volunteer of four years who recently was on the team that visited Kevin Rantz, 7, who suffers from adreno leukodystrophy (ALD). Kevin's wish was to be part of a television show at Nickelodeon Studios in Florida.
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Jesse, 3, who suffers from pancytopenia blood discrasia met his favorite characters at Disney World. Photo courtesy of Make-A-Wish. |
Another special wish is for Will, 4, of Minden. Will is from a ranching family, but because of spinal muscle atrophy, he can't ride a horse like his brothers and dad. MAW is having a custom saddle built that will support his body with a back, sides and safety strap, as well as a special rein. These features are necessary since Will is too small to hold himself up and is unable to use his hands.
Aside from fundraising and granting wishes, Sweeney wants to get the organization's name known throughout Reno, Fallon, Fernley, Elko and Winnemucca through a medical outreach program. A package is being distributed to doctors, hospitals and medical facilities to spread the word.
A community outreach program is also in the works. Sweeney and crew are planning theme parties at the pediatric ward at Washoe Medical Center once a month with goodie bags, gifts and books for patients. The 4-H Club is bringing in animals for the children to spend time with. They're still looking for a magician for entertainment.
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Will, second from right, examines his saddle design with his father and brothers. Photo courtesy of Make-A-Wish |
Similar parties are planned at the Children's Cottage, a home for children waiting for foster homes. MAW volunteers will also cook dinner for the residents of the Ronald McDonald House once a quarter.
"I want people to know they can give us a call when they come across a child that can benefit from our services," Sweeney said.
Bringing dreams to life is very satisfying work, but can also be filled with grief. The chapter went through a rough period last year when four wish kids passed away."It was hard because they were beautiful children," Sweeney said. "It tugs at my heart every day, but I take pride in what I do - being able to give them a chance to enjoy their family. When the child is no longer around, the family has the great memory of the joy the child got from their wish."
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Foundation logo and phone numbers. Photo by Jennifer Sweeney |
Tucker and Sweeney said their work makes them especially grateful for the families they have. Tucker is the mother of Nicholas, 3, and Sweeney has two college-aged children.
"We can't lend them money or do research," Sweeney said of the wish families. "All we can offer is a moment of normalcy. We're just trying to give them a good time together. Knowing I can help achieve that makes all of this worthwhile."
posted 3/5/98 Nevada Outpost