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Make a Difference in the Life of a Make-A-Wish Kid | Happyliving.com“Those kids are my heroes, and by actively deciding to help them continue their fight with a little more hope, you’re one of my heroes, too.”
(Michael Jordan)

Make-A-Wish has been a part of my life for more than a decade now.

Our relationship started back in 2005. Make-A-Wish was the featured charity for an annual conference I attended when I owned my businesses in international trade. I began donating to the charity every year at that conference. In 2014, I received a phone call from David Williams, the President and CEO of the organization, thanking me for my “generous gift.” David was kind enough to mail me a copy of Wish Granted: 25 Stories of Strength and Resilience from America’s Favorite Athletes, a wonderful book about how athletes who donated their time fulfilling a child’s wish received so much more than they’d given.

About a year later, we interviewed David for our popular blog series Something Significant: David Williams of Make-A-Wish. A year after that, my wife and I attended our first Wish Ball, and we were lucky enough to win a celebrity chef dinner in the silent auction. The dinner was an amazing experience that I shared with our readers with this post; Life Lessons from a Chef and a Girl. For some reason I don’t yet understand, Make-A-Wish keeps coming into my life.

Inspired To Do More

A few months ago, I received an email that instantly grabbed my attention. It was about something called the Make-A-Wish Trailblaze Challenge. The email invited me to attend a meeting to learn about an annual hike and fundraiser. I signed up. Last month I attended the introductory meeting and was so inspired that I immediately signed up for the hike and made the decision to expand my relationship with Make-A-Wish from a passive supporter to an active fundraiser. I’m not sure why, but I feel in my heart that I am supposed to become more involved. And I’ve learned to listen to my heart because it knows where my happiness lies.

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In 2016, Make-A-Wish Central and Western North Carolina will grant the wishes of more than 273 children. However, there are an additional 200+ children still waiting for their wishes to be granted. At an average cost of $6,000 per wish, we need your help to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses.

What You Can Do

I humbly ask that you (my family, friends, and social media communities at Happy Living, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+) give what you can, when you can. It’s fast and easy to donate at my personal page; Fall 2016 Trailblaze Challenge. Every little bit helps. Get your credit card out, click here, and help make some of those other 200+ kids’ wishes come true. Make-A-Wish and I will be truly grateful for all your donations.

For companies and business, we offer a corporate sponsorship program. I invite your company to become a Trailblaze Challenge Sponsor. In addition to supporting our life-changing work for children, this is an incredible opportunity to align your business with Make-A-Wish, allowing you to market your brand while making a hugely positive impact on children with life-threatening illnesses. For more information, please contact me directly via [email protected].

What I’ll Do

In one day, I will hike 28.3 miles of the Foothills Trail along with many other volunteers. The Foothills Trail is a breathtaking natural wonder, located in upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina, and features a diverse landscape ranging from rocky peaks with beautiful views, lush forests, and stream and waterfall crossings. My goal is to complete this incredible course in one very long day, rain or shine, raising vital funds to invest in granting the wishes of local children.

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In addition, I am personally committed to raising enough money for more than four children’s wishes. My big, bold fundraising goal is $1,000 for each mile of the hike or $28,300. So, you can see that I really do need your help. Please donate what you can, share this post with your family and friends, and ask companies you work with to participate in the corporate sponsorship program. May I take this opportunity to say thank you, thank you, thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for anything you can contribute by donating and spreading the word.

It’s All About The Kids

A wish come true empowers children to fight harder against their illnesses. When these kids are granted a wish, they get more than just a great experience for a day, two days or a week. A wish come true helps children feel stronger, more energetic, and more willing and able to battle their life-threatening medical conditions. For many of them, it marks a turning point in their fight against their illnesses.

Please give what you can, when you can, right here: Fall 2016 Trailblaze Challenge, and help make a difference in the life of a Make-A-Wish kid. Once again, THANK YOU!!!

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