
| June 2011--Make-A-Wish |
| Friday, 24 June 2011 06:42 |
|
Every month we honor an organization that reaches out to kids here in the Black Hills. Black Hills FOX reporter Tessa Thomas shows us how the Make-A-Wish Foundation is Committed to Kids. For over 30 years the Make-A-Wish Foundation has given hope, strength, and joy to kids facing serious illnesses. It's one of the world's most well known charities that changes lives, by granting a wish.Their purpose is to grant a wish to a kid 18 years or younger who is suffering from poor health. Regional Ambassador for Make-A-Wish in region one Vonna Cheever says, "When a child becomes eligible for a wish, we put together a wish team which goes out and meets with the child and their family to determine their wish. After that the Board of Directors approves the wish and we as the wish team and staff of this South Dakota office work together to make the magic." Make-A-Wish has reached more than 250,000 children around the world.A small number of volunteers work extremely hard to grant many wishes for kids right here in South Dakota. Regional Ambassador for Make-A-Wish in region one Vonna Cheever says, "So far in South Dakota we've granted 39 wishes this year, 8 of those have been in the Black Hills area and we currently have 9 wishes pending at this time. We hope to grant at least 60 wishes this year." 9 year old Noah Misselt of Rapid City was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in July of 2008. Noah was granted his wish of going to Disney World in September of last year. Noah's dad Chris said they put off the trip until later in Noah's treatment so it could be a goal that he could look forward too. Noah's Dad Chris Misselt says, "We found it a psychological and an emotional refresher for everyone in the family, where we could reconnect as a family and forget for about a week and you can't, you can never all together forget, but forget that what we're facing and what we're dealing with. And just amerce ourselves in the culture of Disney and the Give Kids the World Village." Misselt also said that people can often get confused on what Make-A-Wish is really for.Noah's Dad Chris Misselt says, "One of the common misconceptions about the Make-A-Wish program is that it's for children who are either terminally ill or who have a very poor prognosis, and we were guilty of believing that as well. It's actually for children who are facing serious illness and whom otherwise meet program eligibility criteria. We were very pleased to be a part of it, it's the nicest program you never want to be eligible for and it's also, ask Noah, it's the most expensive free vacation that you would ever take too and we owe it to Noah who paid the tab for us." Noah said there were so many things to do and he got to do it all. He met his favorite character Mickey Mouse and rode all the rides he wanted too .Make-A-Wish Kid Noah Misselt says, "I'd like to say thanks for giving me such a good vacation." Black Hills FOX salutes the Make-A-Wish Foundation ... Committed to Kids. Tessa Thomas |

