Make-A-Wish® Mississippi

Make-A-Wish Mississippi’s New CEO Makes Plans for the Future

ms-admin — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:22:30 +0000

On May 1, I started my tenure at the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mississippi. It is a great honor to be a part of this outstanding organization.

For almost 30 years, we have granted wishes for children in Mississippi with life-threatening medical conditions filling them with hope, strength and joy. I have enjoyed getting to know a fantastic group of volunteers, donors and supporters from all over the state. These sincere and dedicated people are making a difference in the lives of the wish families.

Our wish kids and families are truly extraordinary. During a tough time in their lives, they give us the opportunity to serve them and treat them to a wonderful experience. I’ve had the opportunity to read some of the reports from the families after they return from their wishes. It is truly humbling to read about the strength and courage the children show and how the wishes have positively impacted their lives.

As many of you know, Kit Barksdale retired earlier this year. She led the organization into new territory, and I am fortunate to be following her. Please join me in thanking Kit for her leadership and wishing her well in retirement.

I hope you will join me in our efforts to grant more wishes. We currently grant about 100 wishes a year…which is something to celebrate! However, each year over 200 children in Mississippi are diagnosed with life-threatening medical conditions. Our goal is to have the resources to grant every one of these children with a wish. We are not there yet, but with your help we can get there! I look forward to working with you to make it happen!

Brent Wilson
President/CEO

Troop #5308 holds a cake auction for Make-A-Wish!

ms-admin — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 16:59:46 +0000

Ocean Springs– At 9:00 a.m. on Friday, February 1st, at St. Alfonso’s Catholic Church, Girl Scout Troop #5308 presented a check to Make-A-Wish Mississippi in memory of their fellow girl scout, Sophia Mohler, who was also a wish child!

The troop, lead by Karen Futch, recently held a cake auction in honor of Sophia who was granted her wish–to go to Disney World®–in January of 2010. Sophia, who was also a member of troop #5308, later passed away in September of 2010.

The girls, ages 5-11 were given several themes to choose from and baked cakes with the help of a friend or family member. Family, friends and members of the community gathered to place live bids on each cake. The Troop donated $300 to Make-A-Wish from the event proceeds.

The troop hopes to grow this event and develop greater community awareness of Make-A-Wish in their town.

9th Annual Martini Shakedown

ms-admin — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:55:26 +0000

Whether you like to shaken or stirred, one thing is for sure… you don’t want to miss this event! The Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi presents the 9th Annual Martini Shakedown, and this summer it is going to be hot! So why not join us at the event dubbed the “Coast’s Hippest Party!”

Advance tickets start at just $50 per person/ $75 per person after July 1.

Everyone is invited to join in on this resort casual event and shake it up!

Want to be part of the fun? Contact the Make-A-Wish office at 228-575-8691 or email smoses@ms.wish.org to make your reservation now! You don’t want to miss out!

Bridging the Coast Walk for Wishes

ms-admin — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:53:12 +0000

Make-A-Wish is bridging the Coast as the Gulf Coast comes together to Walk for Wishes and grant wishes to local kids! Come to Ocean Springs at the Biloxi-Ocean Springs Bridge or in Bay St. Louis and walk the Bay Bridge! Wish kids will be there to kick off the event at both locations.

You can walk alone or be part of a team! Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and the walk will start at 8:00 a.m.

A minimum donation of $20 receives a wish child designed t-shirt. For more information contact 228-575-8691 or email smoses@ms.wish.org

Magnolia Cruisers Car Show

ms-admin — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 16:51:34 +0000

Magnolia Cruisers present the 14th Annual Spring Car Show
South Central Plaza, Laurel

$20 Entry Fee (Insurance Required)

Registration will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. followed by a Driver’s Meeting at 10:45 a.m.

There will be participant judging, drawings, door prizes, a 50-50 drawing, games, food and a live DJ.

There will be a drawing for a stainless steel BBQ grill!

Awards will take place around 2:00 p.m.

The classes are as follows:

Pre 49 Original, Pre 49 Street Rod, Pre 49 Truck, Car 1950-1959, Car 1960-1969, Car 1970-1979, Car 1980-1999, Car 2000 to Present, Truck 1950-1970, Truck 1971-1986, Truck 1987-1999, Truck 2000-Present, Import 1979- Older, Import 1980-Present, Motorcycle Modified, Motorcycle Original, Race Class

** Contact Danny Shows for more information at 601-270-7723 or email danny@4-dsolutions.com

Sam’s Club presents the 10th Annual Meridian Walk for Wishes

ms-admin — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:19:04 +0000

We all have the power to grant a wish! You can help by participating in our 10th Annual Meridian Walk 4 Wishes®, to be held Saturday, April 6th downtown in Meridian. The 5K Walk will begin at 9 AM.

For additional information, please contact Jane Walsh, Development Manager, jwalsh@ms.wish.org, (601) 366.9474 Ext. 1-305.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Applebee’s

ms-admin — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:05:14 +0000

Quality Restaurant Concepts is supporting Make-A-Wish through Applebee’s… which means a Star Campaign is happening in an Applebee’s near you!

During the month of March, you can buy a Make-A-Wish star for $1, $5, $10 or $20 to hang on the wall and help us grant more wishes to Mississippi children! Each restaurant has a goal of $3,500 creating a huge opportunity for Make-A-Wish and you can be a part of it!

T.J.’s Shopping Spree Wish

ms-admin — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:43:40 +0000

Terron “T.J.”, 16, of Crystal Springs lives with ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia). When the opportunity for a wish came about, T.J. chose to go on a shopping spree so that he could get a few of his favorite things! Terron’s wish came true, courtesy of UnitedHealthcare and Make-A-Wish.

The day started out meeting at Cheddar’s at 11 am. The restaurant set up a nice table and furnished balloons as well as treating the group to dessert: a Monster cookie. The limousine picked T.J. and his family up at Cheddar’s and they moved on to GameStop. T.J. purchased a new Xbox, since the one he had was 6 years old. He also purchased some games there so he’d have plenty to play when he got home!

Best Buy was his next stop. There he purchased a stereo system, iTouch, headphones, and some equipment to go with Xbox.

At Target, TJ was able to purchase a no-contract phone and warranty so he can keep in touch with all of his friends and family. Moving from Target to Aeropostale - where he had a personal shopper there to help him pick out lots of new clothes in his favorite colors– black, white and red! At Hibbetts, TJ wanted to look for some shoes, but while there he bought his brother, step dad and Mom a happy too!

“TJ is a quiet, neat, and good looking young man. So polite and has great manners,” said his volunteer Judy Watts. “He wanted to buy something for his best friend, Midnight, his dog,” she added.

He is looking forward to getting permission to go back to school and be able to visit family in Memphis. He has high hopes to possibly play football again soon!

UnitedHealthcare sponsored Terron’s wish through its national alliance with Make-A-Wish to support the organization and its mission of granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

‘We are very happy to play a role in making Terron’s shopping spree wish come true,’ said Glen Golemi, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Gulf States Region. ‘As a health and well-being company, we work every day to make a difference in our communities, and we are grateful to be a part of this wish.’”

Check out the video from his wish experience, courtesy of WJTV!
http://www2.wjtv.com/news/2013/feb/23/make-wish-metro-ar-5665314/

Mississippi Trusted Choice Agents present the 20th Annual Golf Tournament

ms-admin — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:56:36 +0000

Take part in our 20th Annual Golf Tournament!

Last year’s golf tournament sponsored a child named, Lindan—who you may remember running around the tournament! Because of the $30,000 raised, we could grant Lindan’s wish to go to Hawaii along with several others’ wishes.

And as you can see, Lindan had a ball! We hope you’ll join us again this year for another successful tournament!

Take a look at our brochure for more information!

Contact Jane Walsh to reserve your space at: 601-366-9474 or email jwalsh@ms.wish.org

Golf Sponsors as of 03/04/13:
Presenting Sponsor: Mississippi Trusted Choice Agents
Eagle Sponsors: Schwartz & Associates
Birdie Sponsors: BankPlus

A boy and his dog: De’Marcus’s wish for a puppy

ms-admin — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 16:24:21 +0000

They say a dog is a man’s best friend, and De’Marcus’s smile tells us that he has just found his new best friend in Webbie, his miniature Dashchund.

The plan was in place, tables set up inside the dealership, puppy hidden, and camera posed. De’Marcus walks in, not knowing exactly what this whole trip to Barksdale Cadillac was about. A lady puts her hand on his shoulder and says a few short sentences before telling him the real reason he is here. “Today, we have something very special planned for you. Today, is the day your wish comes true.” There is clapping that drowns out the sniffles among the crowd as a man comes around the corner carrying De’Marcus’s brand new miniature dachshund. Balancing himself on his crutches, he takes his new puppy into his arms for the first time and smiles.

Sitting in the center of the large dealership, De’Marcus has friends, family, members of the Make-A-Wish team and employees of the dealership come up to him as he plays with his puppy, unconcerned with the rest of the room. To De’Marcus and anyone looking in, the most important thing there was just a boy and his dog. He didn’t think long for a name. In fact, he’d planned it long before. Webbie- after his favorite nurse. She was there too, to watch all of the excitement surrounding her brave patient.

For De’Marcus, his wish doesn’t end today. His wish is just the beginning. It’s the start of dozens of things new and all his own. It’s a partner to walk with, someone to curl up with when he doesn’t feel so good, someone to play with, and someone to call a friend.