I’m proud to announce the winner of the post- guess, win, give… I love birthdays to be Mr. Mark Philipps. By guessing to the nearest second of a handstand I held , he got to pick the charity of his choice for Herhappytrails to donate $100. Drum roll please… Northern California Make-A-Wish foundation!
This wonderful program is world-wide and extremely active. In fact, right here in the United States, volunteers grant a wish every 38 minutes!
Here are a few stories from our local Northern California area.
Miles, a 5-year-old who is in remission from leukemia, got to save the city of San Francisco with his Make-A-Wish identity of the new Batkid. More than 10,000 volunteers and supporters made his wish possible by playing a role in this real life dream come true. For more of his story and the actual video of this memorable day, please visit I want to be Batkid.
The following story and photo came from http://necannv.wish.org, thank you for sharing!
When Andrew was originally approached by Make-A-Wish to have a life-changing experience, he decided that his one true wish was to go to Ecuador on a mission trip. Due to medical restrictions, he was unable to take the trip to Ecuador at the time and it was to be postponed until he was medically able to go. Unfortunately, that time never came.
His condition worsened and he was told that he wouldn’t be able to go to Ecuador. Make-A-Wish then gave him the chance to choose a different wish, something that he could enjoy from a place much closer to home. Andrew, whose motto was “love God and serve others,” chose to donate the cash value of his wish-$5,000-to help purchase a refrigerated food truck for the local food bank at Mosaic Christian Church where he volunteer
Andrew was remembered by Make-A-Wish during the national conference Evening of Excellence, where his family received, in his honor, the Lori Schultz-Betancourt Indomitable Spirit Award. This award is intended to honor the individual who embodies the essence of an “indomitable spirit” and possesses the qualities of persistence, bravery, compassion, integrity and dedication.
“I really just enjoy helping others and the feeling you get from giving back. So many people have given to me over the last two years as I’ve been battling cancer. I really enjoy doing what I can for others.”
Andrew
A simple but sweet example is about a darling 12-year-old named Claire. She has been battling Cystic Fibrosis and enduring treatments that were described as “grueling”. Like several young girls, she had dreamt of owning her own horse after taking lessons between hospital visits. So when Make-A-Wish volunteers asked about her wish, Claire was granted her very own horse, Zio!
Mark, due to your participation of my silly handstand game, I was encouraged to research a charity that I’ve always heard about but never involved myself with. Now, because of your suggestion, I have a new chapter in future volunteering. Thank you!
If you would like to volunteer for Make-A-Wish Foundation, please visit wish.org/ways to help.
Her Happy Trails 
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Congrats to Mark, and nice choice of charities!