Angela M. Groves

August 31, 2004

"Dreams do come true," Angela Groves told Putnam Rotarians today, "and we make it happen."

Children from under three to age eighteen with life-threatening circumstances or terminal illness may qualify for a "wish" from the "Make-a-Wish" Foundation and the whole family participates, "whether it's a visit to meet a movie star or a trip to Hawaii."

The stress and demands of a youngster's special needs often push family members apart. "Make-a-Wish enables them to share time together as a family." said Groves. The Foundation enriches the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

Make-a-Wish began in 1980 in Arizona. A small group of people helped a very ill little boy achieve his wish -- to be a state trooper for a day.

He was later designated an honorary trooper, and when the end came he was buried in his personal state police uniform -- small size.

Today there are 76 chapters of Make-a-Wish in the United States and more than 27 international affiliates.

The Southern West Virginia chapter granted 83 wishes last year, and brought 425 wishes to completion since its organization in 1991.

Last month there were eleven wishes fulfilled in the twenty-three counties served by the local chapter, three of them in Putnam.

Popular wishes include shjopping sprees, celebrity meetings and trips.

Eleven-year-old Christina was surprised by a hot-air balloon "parked" at her home on Birch River. She knew the volunteers from the Foundation had been there by the banner on the balloon, and inside her home she found a new Apple computer.

"The average cost of a 'wish' is $3,400," said Groves, who is the manager of the local chapter. This is based on the cost of a trip to Disney World for a family of four staying six days and five nights.

Persons reporting a "wish" may call 1-800-664-WISH. The child's physician will be asked to "qualify" the child. Economic status of the family is not a criterion.

Schools, businesses and professional groups often raise money to "make wishes come true," said Groves. Donations may be designated for a specific organization or geographical area.

The Foundation has a variety of donor programs including Wishmakers at Work for the workplace, Kids for Wish Kids and Wishmakers on Campus for students.

Donors may restrict gifts to the Wishmaker program (which underwrites the cost of wishes), to the Inner Circle (which offsets operating expenses), or to an endowment fund.

The Foundation also offers great opportunities for volunteer service, Grove said. Jobs include wish granting, fund raising, public speaking and office assistance.