MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION MAKES A DIFFERENCE!!!
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So glad to have come today!!! We were led by Dale R in the flag salute, Sarah K gave the invocation, Sid S led us in song (which we continue to get better at by the way), Art read us a joke – I think we even laughed… We were thrilled to have Deepa Willingham as an honored guest as well Mike Griffen, a fellow Rotarian from Cambria. Guests joining us included Sharon Rowley, guest of Sarah K; father Dick and daughter Melissa, guests of John W; Derek Reidel, son of Rich R; and guest speaker, Pat Crowe.
Announcements for the day – Sarah K announced that upcoming Halloween Party being held on Saturday, October 26th @ Gary O’s place. There will be a costume contest – WITH PRIZES – will be a potluck, and promises to be tons of fun!! Bruce H asked for help at the upcoming Harbor Festival. Rotary mans the ticket booth and we not only get the satisfaction of helping out but we also get a “chunk of change” as well!!! The next meeting for the Lighted Boat Parade will be held on Tuesday, October 1st at 1pm – promises to be short. PRLS is being held in Santa Maria on Saturday, October 12th – Adv PRLS 2 and October 26th – PRLS 5. Sign up with Heidi K if interested!! Mike Griffen announced the Rotary Club of Cambria’s upcoming fundraiser hoping to garner some interest!! It is being held on Saturday, October 12th, it is their major fundraiser of the year, and will have a silent and live auction, dinner, wine, etc… The District Conference is being held in San Luis Obispo this year. Dates are October 18, 19 and 20th. You can register on the District website. Dan A announced the drubbing of SLO by MBHS in football last Friday eve. And last but not least, Sarah K presented Sharon Rowley, of CCWFF, with a check for their portion of the Fish Fry event.
Pat Crowe, a local volunteer for the Make a Wish Foundation spoke about her role in their organization as well provided a testimonial to the miracles the organization provides. Pat began by playing a short video, capturing the stories of Evan, Victoria, Frankie and Micah’s wishes for a small piece of normalcy and happiness. When going through applications from kids for Make a Wish, it’s their goal to answer one of the following: I wish… I want to meet… I want to go… I want to have… and/or I want to be… Make a Wish Foundations’ Mission Statement is “grant the wishes of children with life threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.” The Foundation was begun in 1980 in Phoenix, Az with a wish made by a boy named Chris, afflicted with Leukemia, who wanted “be a police officer to catch bad guys”. This initial granted wish has grown into something more than anybody could have ever imagined. To date, they have granted 205,687 wishes to children of all ages and of all afflictions. They attempt to make these wishes, “family events” as they incorporate parents and/or siblings into the celebration. Pat’s job is to actually go into family homes and interview them. She is touched on a daily basis as she has the opportunity of making a child’s deepest wish come true – I don’t know about the rest of you but that is truly amazing!!! Obviously this can be a very emotional journey but the rewards so very much outweigh any hint of sadness that this can sometimes bring. I for one was incredibly touched by both Pat and by Make a Wish… I need to get myself retired so that I can start giving back to these types of organizations who do so much good for so many!!! Thanks for sharing this with us Pat!!!