Building the site pad for GRANTED HOUSE OF HOPE 

HUGE THANK YOU TO…Mark Werner, Bowen Engineering, Briar Pointe Development, Cash Waggner, Empire Contractors, Jeff Guisewite Inc, Hamlin Rentals, Heritage Petroleum, Hinderliter Construction, JBI Construction, Kiesel Wagner Survey, Klenck Company, MacAllister Machinery, McCoy Construction & Forestry, McCullough Land Improvement, Mitchell Trucking & Excavating, Naas & Sons, Operating Engineers Union Local 181, Patriot Engineering & Environmental, SITECH, Sunbelt Rentals, Mitchell Trucking & Excavating and Separation By Design!

Building Site Pad Thank You!

Join us for our seventh annual golf outing in support of granting Wishes and providing essential Beyond The Wish benefits for local children and families facing life-threatening conditions.

An exciting change for this year is that Empire Contractors will be organizing our event.  We can't wait to see how we grow!

A link to register will be provided closer to the event.  If you wish to be added to a list and notified when the link is available, please reach out to corey@grantedtristate.org.

Swing Into Wishes

Join us on April 26, 2025, as we take fundraising to new heights—literally! Rappel down the nine-story CenterPoint Energy building in downtown Evansville.

This isn't just about adrenaline; it’s about standing beside local children with terminal or life-threatening conditions. They face unimaginable challenges every day—now’s your chance to be their hero.

To participate, commit to raising a minimum of $1,000 by April 18, 2025. Rally your friends, family, and coworkers to support your mission fundraising or start a team and encourage them to sign up and go Over the Edge for Granted with you. Every dollar raised makes Wishes come true and provides critical support through GRANTED’s Beyond the Wish programs.


Take the leap. Change lives. Be a hero. Go Over the Edge for Granted!

Over The Edge 4 Granted

Join us for our annual event in support of granting Wishes and providing Beyond The Wish programming for local children with life-threatening conditions. We are planning an exciting evening of sampling the area’s finest sweets, savories, and coffee houses. Guests can meet our Wish children, dance, bid on auction items, win prizes, and be a part of making Wishes come true!

A Wish gives children time away from hospitals and treatments. It gives children and their families something to plan and look forward to through times of uncertainty and emotional as well as financial strain. Wishes allow the family to put the burden of their child's illness on hold as they have fun and create everlasting memories.This years event will be held at Burdette Park's Discovery Lodge.

.  Tickets and Sponsorships may be purchased online 

Dishes For Wishes - 2024

Join us for our 6th Annual Swing Into Wishes golf event.  This fun event sells out every year, so grab your spot right away.  This is a GREAT opportunity to get your company in front of a lot of businessmen and women, so Sponsorships are valuable.

Leave your permanent mark on Granted's House of Hope with a personalized brick paver.  This unique, one-of-a-kind facility will allow us to best serve Granted's Wish children and their families through our Beyond The Wish programming.

Bricks come in three sizes starting at $100, and can be personalized with your name or logo.

ps://polarengraving.com/grantedhouseofhope

House of Hope Brick Campaign

Join us for our third annual Over The Edge 4 Granted event.  Registration for participation is now open by clicking 

Over The Edge 4 Granted - 2024

Join us as we officially break ground on our exciting new Roy and Amanda Jorgensen HOUSE OF HOPE.

House of Hope Groundbreaking

A huge thank you to everyone who Sponsored, volunteered, and came out to play at our 5th Annual Swing Into Wishes event!

Below are some photos captured of the amazing day.  Enjoy!

https://jeffpurdue.smugmug.com/Other/GRANTED-SWING-INTO-WISHES-2023/

Swing into Wishes

Register to walk with the Granted team today click 

Walking for Dreams

Do YOU have what it takes to go OVER THE EDGE for GRANTED?  Join us for this unique urban rappelling event in support of granting Wishes and providing Beyond The Wish programming for local children fighting terminal or life-threatening conditions.

Learn more, donate, or register to go Over The Edge by clicking 

Over The Edge 2023

Join us for our annual event in support of granting Wishes to local children with life-threatening conditions. We are planning an exciting evening of sampling the area’s finest sweets and savories. Guests can meet our Wish children, dance, bid on auction items, win prizes, and be a part of making Wishes come true!

If you would like to print a pdf and mail your reservation in, you can do that 

Dishes For Wishes - 2023

Our Granted Golf Outing is such a good time for all involved. Please visit: 

https://one.bidpal.net/grantedswingintowishes

 for online registration. Granted would love your support through event sponsorship, hole sponsorship, or getting a team together. There will be a games, prizes, lunch, and one person will get a shot at ONE MILLION dollars. Let's help our community children fighting life threatening illnesses through our Swing into Wishes event. This event will help many families through programming we offer Beyond the Wish. We have limited spaces for teams. Register now. tbarnes@smithbutterfield.com for further information.

Download a pdf of the invitation/registration form 

Bowen Engineering
Hucks Karing For Kids Foundation
Performance Contractors
Separation By Design
Smith & Butterfield


Tammy Tucker & Terence McGinnis for donating photography

Granted Board for Hospitality items and volunteering

Swing Into Wishes 2022

Learn more about this exciting upcoming event 

Over The Edge 4 GRANTED

Join us for our seventh annual event in support of granting Wishes to local children with life-threatening conditions. We are planning an exciting evening of sampling the area’s finest sweets and savories. Guests can meet our Wish children, dance, bid on auction items, win prizes, and be a part of making Wishes come true!

A Wish gives children time away from hospitals and treatments. It gives children and their families something to plan and look forward to through times of uncertainty and emotional as well as financial strain. Wishes allow the family to put the burden of their child's illness on hold as they have fun and create everlasting memories.This years event will be held in the Auditorium at the Vanderburgh County 4H-Center.

Dishes For Wishes - 2022

Join us for our third annual ride to fund Wishes for local children with terminal or life-threatening conditions. Having received a record number of Wish requests so far this year, Granted needs your support now, more than ever!

We are partnering with Bud's Harley Davidson to bring you this fun evening. Registration is open to vehicles of all types, so bring your motorcycle, vintage car, Jeep, Tundra, etc., and enjoy a nice ride that will be full of surprises along the route.

Following the ride, music and food will be provided.

4 - 5 pm - Registration
5 - 6 pm - Ride
7 - 9 pm  - Celebration

Wheels For Wishes

 Granted Golf outing at Cambridge Golf Course.  PM flights still available.

Sponsorships and Golf Team opportunities are now available. All monies raised will help to fund Wishes for local children with a terminal or life-threatening conditions.

7:00 AM Registration
7:30 AM Shotgun Start
11:30 AM Registration
12:30 PM Shotgun Start

Foursome - 18 Hole Golf Scramble
Best Ball - Shotgun Start

Join us for our sixth annual event combining delicious foods with granting Wishes. This year's event needed to be modified for the safety of all, so we are taking it back to it's roots, and featuring all of the sweetness that our community holds.

Through the partnerships with a number of amazing bakeries, bakers, and restaurants, this week-long event will allow ticket holders to visit each venue to sample their delicious goods one time throughout the week for free! Hours and restrictions for each location will be noted on your ticket.

While you are there, you may want to purchase some additional goodies to take home! A few generous participants are organizing Give Back events in conjunction with this week, so you can support Granted in a number of ways, and also support a small local business.

A full packet of information that includes your ticket will be mailed to you prior to the event. Below is a listing of all participants this year, and what they will be offering.

We truly appreciate your support! Most everything has been shut down due to the pandemic, but the need for our services is at an all-time high. So far in 2021, we have received more Wish requests than 2020 and 2019 combined!

Dishes For Wishes

Join us for a fun afternoon of golf, games, and prizes at our second annual Granted Golf Scramble. Proceeds from this event will help to grant Wishes to local children fighting life-threatening conditions.

Granted Golf Scramble

Walking For Dreams

Join us for an exciting evening of sampling the area’s finest sweets, savory, and spirits. Meet our Wish
children, dance, bid on amazing auction items, win prizes, and be a part of making Wishes come true!

A Wish gives children time away from hospitals and treatments. It gives children and their families
something to plan and look forward to through times of uncertainty and emotional as well as financial
strain. Wishes allow the family to put the burden of their child's illness on hold as they have fun and
create everlasting memories.

Tickets are $40 in advance, and $50 at the door. Tables of eight can be reserved for $400.

For Sponsorship or ticket information, call (812) 425-9474 or email susan@cms.grantedtristate.org.

Click the link below to download an event invitation.


Join us for our third annual Vendor / Craft fair and kick-off your Holiday shopping while helping to grant Wishes at the same time! We will have a wide variety of items available, baked goods, and entertainment throughout the day.

Help us to spread the word, and be a part of truly making a difference!

We are currently accepting applications for booth rentals. Download an application here - 

 or contact susan@cms.grantedtristate.org to have one sent to you.

2019 Holiday Market

This is the most anticipated festival of the year! As one of our largest fundraisers, we look forward to serving up delicious Dewig Meats 1/2# smoked pork chop sandwiches, pumpkin bread pudding, cupAcake, and your choice of unicorn or zombie boogers!

2019 Fall Festival

We are excited to be participating in this year’s Golf Gives Back event!

Use our unique barcode to attend the golf championship from August 30th-September 2nd at Victoria National. Every ticket scanned with our barcode earns money for our organization! This barcode can be used over and over! If you would like an actual card (or cards to hand out to your golfing friends), let us know at info@cms.grantedtristate.org, and we will get them to you. The more scans we get, the more money we make!

The Korn Ferry Tour Championship Presented by United Leasing & Finance donated over $262,000 to regional charities in 2018. This contribution brings the seven year total to more than $1.5 million dollars! 

Korn Ferry Tour Championship Presented by United Leasing & Finance

Download a pdf of the event ticket below:

Golf Gives Back

Bring your riding friends and join us for our first annual ride in support of granting Wishes to local children with life-threatening illnesses. Enjoy a leisurely ride with surprises along the way, and then gather at Wings Etc. for live music, good food and drink, and prizes.

. All participants will register the day of the ride.

 per passenger. Each participant will receive a ticket for 5 Wings and one beer or soda at Wings Etc. following the ride. There will also be drink specials beyond what is included in the ride.

To see the Waiver that each rider will be signing, 

No bike? No problem! You can still be involved and support Granted. Wings, Etc. will be donating 10% of all sales during our event time back to Granted. Bring the family out to see all of the bikes, eat delicious wings, and help make a child's Wish come true!

Wings, Wheels, and Wishes

This week-long event organized by the West Side Nut Club is our largest fundraiser. Come to Booth #1 and eat delicious food while supporting a great cause!

2018 Fall Festival

 - You can support Wish Upon A Star, Inc. by attending Dewig Days at Dewig Meats. Sandwiches are available for purchase with all proceeds going to Wish Upon A Star, Inc. Wish Upon A Star, Inc. is also there serving up delicious ice cream for a donation. Come spend a day in the country with us and enjoy some wonderful food!

Dewig Days

 or until goodies run out. Cakes, pies, muffins, and cookies galore! Don't miss this delicious opportunity to support Wish Upon A Star, and feed your sweet tooth at the same time. On a diet? No problem. Come by and say hello.

Bake Sale at Sam’s Club

Susan has been Executive Director of Granted since 2015, and has been in the nonprofit world since 1985. An Evansville native, she is married to her greatest supporter, Rob, who is affectionately known by Granted children as Wish Dude. She has two grown children (Logan and Morgan), 3 amazing grandsons (Kayden, Maddox, and Gentry), and two crazy boxers (Vada and Xena). Her quote to live by is “

Learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone’s life. Be the light that helps others see; it is what gives life its deepest significance.

Susan biggest goals are to give joy and hope to those she serves, and to build an organization to carry on serving our area's children for generations to come.

Susan Washburn

President of Smith & Butterfield, an Evansville company that sells office supplies, printing, and furniture. Teri joined the Granted organization in November of 2016.Her family consists of her husband Shane, two daughters Sarah and Jaci, two snakes Ebony and Ivory, and their two dogs Rizzo and Riddick. The whole family loves to attend the Granted events and serve the community. You may catch them on their kayaks, motorcycles, skiing, or at the skating rink where Teri met her husband. Teri’s Moto:“We can’t control what happens in life, but we can control how we respond to it.I want to respond to the needs of our local children suffering with life-threatening illnesses by brining love, hope, and joy. My talents lie in being a servant to those in need.”

Teri Barnes

Corey Eblen is Care Director of Almost Kin, a locally based home health agency. He has worked in various industries seeking his purpose and passion. After years of diving head-first into many different fields and unknown territory, he has come to learn that his passion is helping others who suffer from illnesses or struggle finding their voice in no specific field. He has dedicated more than 17 years to those in need. As an Evansville native, he enjoys working in the community, being with family and friends, the outdoors, and traveling. A quote that Corey lives by is “If there is a will, there is a way” personally interpreted as there is always an accomplishment to be made and be proud of, so long as you are determined to work for it.

Corey Eblen

Hector is a Contact Center Supervisor at CenterPoint Energy in Evansville, IN, and joined the Granted organization in August 2016. His family consists of his wife Elizabeth, daughter Tatiana, and Goku, the family dog. Hector's commitment to the community is displayed in his volunteer work. He also serves two other nonprofits, United Way and YMCA, averaging over 300 volunteer hours a year. Through his service, he was recognized with the 20 Under 40 Awards by the Tri-State Business Journal in 2018. Hector enjoys the outdoors, watching movies with family, running, and playing video games. A quote that inspires Hector and he lives by is: "

Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject, and your verb agree to serve…. You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love

Hector J Rivera Fuentes

Grace is a family practice physician assistant at Ascension St. Vincent Medical Group. Grace joined the Granted organization in August 2020 after moving back to the Evansville area, where she was born and raised. She enjoys raising awareness for Granted and serving our Wish Families while working alongside her husband, Erik, who is also a board member with the organization. In her free time, she enjoys being with family, traveling and attending sporting events, especially IU football and basketball games. A quote that inspires Grace is: “

I cannot do all the good that the world needs. But the world needs all the good that I can do.”

Grace Bryant

Carolyn was one of our Founders in 1985.  Although she now lives in Florida, she remains an integral part of our organization.

Carolyn Pfaffmann

Angela joined the Granted Board in 2020. She is married to David and they have two children, Sarah (husband Derrick) and Alex (wife Kelly). She is blessed with two grandchildren, Ella Christine and Hadley Anaya. She has three grand-dogs, Nala, Molly and Jett.  She enjoys boating, fishing, and watching wildlife at the lake with family and friends. Angela is a CPA and worked in various financial roles during her career. Prior to joining the Granted Board, Angela was looking for a place where she could make a difference. Granted provides the opportunity to engage with children and their families facing life threatening conditions in not only a one-time Wish-granting way, but for as long as needed by the family. 

Quote that Angela lives by “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

Angela Phaup

Catie Taylor is the Senior Associate Director of Campus Visits and Special Events at the University of Evansville and has worked in higher education for over 18 years she also serves as the Advisor for the UE Admission Ambassadors and Work-Studies.


Catie has a passion for working with children and joined the Granted Board in July of 2020. Catie serves as the Granted President as well as the Co-Chair for the annual Over the Edge event.


In addition to Granted, Catie serves on two professional boards – the Indiana
Association for College Admission Counseling and the National Association for
College Admission Counseling as well as serves on the Youth Resources Board in Evansville.


Catie loves to travel, especially to Disney World, read, volunteer, spend time with her mother and family, plan and organize events, and just enjoy life.
A quote that Catie lives by is, “To the world you may be one person, but to one
person you may be the world” (Dr. Seuss)

Catie Taylor

Jeff is VP of Bowen Engineering and joined our GRANTED board in 2019 because he is passionate about helping children’s causes. Jeff is married to his high school sweetheart Julie and they have four children Emily, John, Elizabeth (husband Kyle Niehaus), Jake and golden doodle Leo. Jeff is a Big Brother, serves on the Leadership Everyone (LE) board and is passionate about the Challenger League Baseball Program. Jeff enjoys traveling with his family, baseball, swimming, and portrait photography. Jeff’s strengths are fundraising, strategic planning, networking and project/event management. Quote that Jeff lives by “

Be grateful, be kind, be positive, smile, share your talents and don’t give up!

Jeff Purdue

Dana is the Branch Manager at United Fidelity Bank North Park branch in Evansville Indiana. She joined the Granted board in 2022. She was born and raised in Evansville. Her family consists of her husband Tim, her two children Tyler and Brynn, her bonus son Christian, two cats Miss Oreo and Mochi as well as a hand full of fish. 

Dana is very active in the community including her son’s Crew 350 Scouts. She enjoys watching her daughter play softball, her son playing tennis, watching movies with her husband as well as traveling. Dana is passionate about helping local children in need.

Dana Gubler

Jason is a Manager at Chasers Bar and Grill in Evansville, Indiana, and a full-time student at the University of Evansville, where he studies Psychology (Pre-Medicine). Jason has at the moment had ~43 surgeries in his life, and therefore he had a Wish granted through Granted (then Wish Upon A Star) in August of 2015, and he went to Florida, where he stayed at Give Kids The World Village and visited all of the parks. He stayed a part of Granted and joined the Board of Directors in 2023. 

Jason lives with his family and 2 pet boxers and loves spending time with them both, alongside studying and going to the gym, among many other things. Following undergraduate studies, Jason plans on attending a School of Medicine to become a practicing physician of neurosurgery. 

He lives by the following quote, “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” (Albert Schweitzer)

Jason Reeves

Kathy is VP of Nursing for Deaconess Hospital, Central Market and joined the GRANTED board in 2023 as part of her passion for quality of care throughout life’s journey, especially for children with life threatening illnesses. Kathy has been married to Dan for 46 years and is the proud mother of daughter Beth (husband Ralph) and their five children, and daughter Dana (husband Aaron).Kathy has volunteered for a variety of organizations over the years and has a passion for the homeless in our community. She enjoys spending time with her family, playing cards, watching her grandchildren’s sporting events, spending time at the lake, traveling, and watching black and white movies. Kathy enjoys learning about people, their backgrounds, and their struggles, trying to find assistance along the way to help.Her favorite bible verse is “Be still and know that I am God.”

Kathy Clodfelter

Laura is the Marketing Manager at Gibbs Die Casting Corp. in Henderson, Kentucky and joined the Granted board in 2021.She and her husband, Mike, have lived in the Tri-State area since 2017 and enjoy all that it offers. They have two adult children Kyle and Rachel and two lab-mix dogs Griffin and Scarlett. Laura loves spending time with family and friends whether they are trying something new or just enjoying time together. She’s an active yogi and animal lover. One of her favorite inspirational quotes is, “Perhaps some detours aren’t detour at all. Perhaps they are actually the path” (Katherine Wolf).

Laura Woods

Craig Kelle

Cory Little

Matt is the Operations Manager of Bowen Engineering and joined our GRANTED board in 2023 because he has a strong passion about helping children. Matt is married to his high school sweetheart Katie and they have two children Grace and Anna. In addition to GRANTED, Matt chairs the Bowen Engineering charity golf outing sponsoring Warrick County CASA. Matt enjoys traveling with his family, running, basketball, and hunting. Matt’s strengths are team development, strategic planning and project management. 

Quote that Matt lives by “Don't stop when you're tired. Stop when you're done.”-Goggins

Matt Gentry

Dan, a local commercial banker, joined the Granted board in 2023 and resides in Evansville, IN.

Dan, his daughter Paige, and his son Grant joined the Granted family in 2021 after Grant was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer.

Grant passed away in May of 2022 at the age of 16, and Dan joined the Granted board nearly a year later to honor his son’s memory and legacy by promoting Granted and assisting other families in need.

It is his hope that Grant’s story of courage and kindness can inspire others and bring them strength during their times of difficulty.

Dan tries to live by his son’s epitaph: “In all things, courage, kindness, and love.”

Dan Dennison

Aurian Garrett

Aaron Coomer is on the Granted Board of Directors serving Wish children and their families within the Evansville tri-state area. He was born at 1 pound 14 ounces and raised in Evansville. He graduated from Reitz Memorial High School in 2011 and received an Associates Degree in Human Services at Ivy Tech Community College. Aaron enjoys being involved with his community especially when it comes to helping Memorial's varsity football program by filming all of their games from the end zone and leading the team onto the field on Friday nights during football season. He currently works at Award World Trophies and Gifts here in town.


Aaron absolutely loves being a part of the Granted Family! Serving wish children and their families is his passion. He has a positive attitude about life and always likes to think big!


"Now, think of the happiest things. It's the same as having wings!" -Walt Disney Peter Pan

Aaron Coomer

Jenny Haire

Hey there! I'm Hannah Birkla, your friendly neighborhood radio enthusiast-turned-board member at Granted since 2024. Inspired by going Over the Edge in 2022, the passion and impact of Granted on local children and families have truly lit a fire in me. With 13 years in radio & digital advertising, I've fine-tuned my knack for storytelling and community connection. When I'm not cooking up campaigns for clients, you'll find me whipping up culinary adventures in the kitchen, rocking out at concerts, or exploring new corners of the globe. Granted’s mission, service, and care for children in our community led me to joining the board, where I'm pumped to shout out this amazing organization that champions local families of children in need. Oh, and I'm an active member of the American Advertising Federation of Greater Evansville, keeping my finger on the pulse of all things ad-tastic!


Quote:  “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”- Maya Angelou

Hannah Birkla

Chandra has been a part of Granted since the end of 2023 and has worked in the nonprofit since 2022. She had always had a passion for helping others, but never found a way to utilize her talents until she found her niche in nonprofit. Originally from Kentucky, she moved to Evansville, Indiana to be with her incredible husband, Allen, and since has welcomed 2 beautiful children (Adalene and Elise) and several 4 legged babies. She enjoys traveling with her family; trying new experiences, and restaurants. She also loves celebrating diversity and culture. One of her favorite statements she lives by is from Bill Nye: “Know your PB&J. Know where you get your Passion, where you see Beauty, and how you obtain Joy.”

“My passion is my work, my beauty is my family, and my joy is my home.”

Chandra Beck

Main Menu

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Seth is arguably the biggest Star Wars fan there is.  His initial Wish request was to visit Disney to see the Star Wars area.  Little did he know that Disney and Give Kids the World teamed up to host a small number of Wish children as the first guests in an exciting new facility.

Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser is a Star Wars–themed 2-night live action role playing, choose your own adventure experience, aboard a simulated cruise in outer space within the Star Wars galaxy.

Seth, along with his parents and one of his brothers were blessed with this once-in-a-lifetime experience.  

They then were able to spend two days at Give Kids The World and visit other Disney parks to round out a full week of excitement.

Seth

Elizabeth “Ella” was in remission from cancer and was scheduled to go to Disney with her family in November of 2021. TWO WEEKS before her trip, her cancer returned. She immediately went to Cincinnati to begin an aggressive 42-week inpatient treatment.

In March, 2022, we were notified that her cancer was not responding to treatment and had spread out of control.  The doctors were sending her home for a week to spend time with family as they came up with a new plan. Mom called on Friday evening asking of they could go to Disney the next week, as Ella’s future was unknown, and the family hadn’t been together in nearly four months. We quickly made all arrangements, and three days later her whole family was reunited for an amazing trip to Give Kids The World and Disney.

They had a magical week soaking up Give Kids The World, visiting all of the parks, and making memories that the family will treasure forever.

Once the trip was complete, all of the siblings again separated and went back to stay with family members across the country as Dad stays home to work, and Mom stays with Ella in the fight for her life.

Elizabeth

When we heard about Alexis "Lexi", her cancer had already spread to her lungs, bones, and pancreas. She was sent home with Hospice to spend her final few weeks.  Her greatest Wish was to visit Disney and see Cinderella’s Castle. 

We had to make that happen, so we quickly got her approved, and along with her family, got them on their way to spend a magical week at Disney and Give Kids The Word. 

Although Lexi passed away within one week of returning home, she told her family she could die happy since she had received her greatest Wish.

Alexis

Olivia’s spirit leaves an impression on the heart of each person she meets. When we first met her, she had been given 6-9 months to live, but she was determined to make the most of each and every moment, and lives her life on her terms.  She wanted more than anything to go to Disney and meet the princess Elsa. We quickly arranged for her and her family to spend a magical week at Disney and then spend a day at the beach, making as many memories as possible. We arranged for a photographer to capture some photos, and then a graphic artist added their touch to make HER Elsa.  Her Wish gave her incredible joy when she needed it most, and gave her family precious memories that will last a lifetime.

Olivia

William is seven years old, and wanted more than anything to visit Disney.  Below is a note from his mother after their trip.

Inclusion includes an attitude of everyone to want that to happen. The giver and the receiver. It shouldn’t be mandated and it shouldn’t be forced. That doesn’t change peoples hearts. The attitude has to be everything.

This week I saw the best examples of it on so many levels.

People who get that this life is just a jumble of every emotion. And because of that they know that both of my kids and then also ourselves needed this break. As much of a break as we could get. And it was. This was a vacation we’re going to need time to rebound from. Tomorrow is going to be hard to go home.

We’re all already a mess about it. Just cannot emphasize how much I love our lives but also how much we needed this and that God is good in all of it. 

Thank you Give Kids The World for making us all feel like we’re home. 

HUGE Thank you to Granted for making it happen!

William

Aiden's greatest Wish is to be a professional gamer. We can't make that happen, but we can certainly equip him with all of the tools needed to make it happen. We were able to acquire one of the coveted XBox Series S systems, and then supplemented that with the best controller and headset we could find. Pair those with a new TV and stand, gaming chair, side table, and plenty of games, and this happy boy is well on his way to being a professional gamer.

He was all smiles as he set up his new system and dove right in.

Aiden

KK's Wish evolved as his conditions changed. He initially wanted to visit Disney with his family. Then travel was out of the question so he wanted a hot tub to help with therapy. Ultimately, we showered sweet KK with sensory items that can be used to decorate his hospital room and entertain him as well as make him smile. All of the nurses and doctors love coming to his room so they can see all of the lights and projections.

Jersey loves the outdoors, but is strongly affected by heat and bugs. She Wished for a sun room so she can safely enjoy the sunshine. We worked with her existing patio and enclosed it to create her very own happy place.

We are thankful for the generosity of our amazing carpenter Marvin Byrer who made this happen, and has given Jersey a year-round space to soak up the sunshine.

Jersey

Kaiya's original Wish was to visit Disney. Although we waited a good portion of the year, it became clear that a travel Wish was going to be out of the question for her.

Instead, we surprised her with a unicorn themed backyard party for her and her family, complete with bounce houses, games, activities, and loads of gifts. She had a beautiful unicorn cake, and two of her favorite foods -- pizza and McDonald's french fries.

It wasn't what we initially planned, but in the end, it was the smiles and giggles of pure joy that mattered.

Kaiya

River wanted nothing more than to be a police officer. We teamed up with the local police department in his city to make that happen. He received a variety of badges and gifts from the PD, as well as the opportunity to meet a police K-9 officer!

After his special day, he was gifted his very own police cruiser to patrol his neighborhood.

River

This bubbly six year old dreamed of visiting Disney. Kynleigh's Wish came true in December of 2019 when she, along with her family, spent a magical week at Give Kids The World and Disney.

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Building Site Pad Thank You!