Holly Leiferman, with Make A Wish Foundation, explains the procedures for granting wishes
to children with life threatening medical conditions, to those assembled at the PBR Reception, Thursday night.
Make A Wish Foundation
Chosen Charity of PBR
by: Bobby McDonald
Anyone that had a "dry eye" on Thursday night at the Legacy Ag Credit PBR Reception, must have had their heart removed, when local representatives of the organization described the needs and wishes of children 2 1/2 years to 18 years, in the Northeast Texas area. "I cover a 30 county area in Northeast Texas," related Holly Leiferman, with Make a Wish Foundation. "My regional office is located in Tyler, Texas, and likely we will grant approximately 85 wishes this year, to children who have life threatening diseases and conditions!"
Leiferman told the group of "rough and tough" bullriders, bullfighters, and bull owners, that they hoped to raise enough money at this year's local PBR event to grant one wish. But, the average "price tag" of a wish is $7,000.00. "That's a lot of money," expressed Liberman. "But, we not only take the child to the place they wish to be, but we take the entire family, so that quality time can be given to the child, and the family can also benefit from the experience!"
"I'm living proof!" exclaimed local banker, Craig Roberts, as he called his wife, Jennifer to join him at the front of the room. "Our twin sons, Matthew and Mark, have cerebral palsey and were granted a wish, in January of 2010. Make A Wish Foundation sent us to Disney World for an experience that money can't buy. This was the first vacation that our family has taken that a doctor wasn't involved, as those needs are met with the Make A Wish Foundation and they sent us to Disney World, where our sons were met by Disney characters, shepherded to all of the activities and given special recognition that other visitors are not given access to. It was a life changing event for our boys and for our entire family. We can't thank Make A Wish Foundation enough for the smiles, the memories, and the great experience that we were afforded! Please support this effort so other children can have the same experiences!"
Craig and Jennifer Roberts, of Sulphur Springs, gave testimony of the great experiences
that the Make A Wish Foundation afforded their sons, during a trip to Disney World, this spring.
"My experience with Make A Wish Foundation, comes from another angle," expressed local cowboy, Truman Ragan. "I first become involved with the program through my love of hunting birds. I took a young man to hunt pheasants, whose lifelong dream was to be a bird hunter. He and family members arrived and we took them out hunting, although it was difficult for the 13 year old young man to even physically walk. I soon taught him to shoot and had my dog bringing pheasants to his side. You've never seen a young man so excited, and yes, my heart ached, when two weeks later I received word that he had passed away. However, my heart swelled with pride, that I'd been able to grant him one of the last wishes that he'd had, on this earth!"
"Meanwhile, a month or so ago, I was able to be involved in another Make a Wish grant in San Antonio, that involved a 16 year old young man, who wanted to attend a rodeo event," explained Ragan. "We took him to the rodeo, let him meet the bullriders, meet the stars that were performing at the rodeo, and gave him one of the best days that a victim of leukemia could possibly have! The smiles on his face and the tears in his eyes were priceless, when you saw how happy it made him! These kids wake up each morning just fighting to live through the day, and it is special to allow them to spend that day, filled with happiness, when many days are only a routine of hospitals, doctors, and life sustaining medications!"
Leiferman explained that the Make A Wish Foundation grants four types of wishes: "I Wish to Go.....I Wish to Be....I Wish to Meet...and I Wish to Have!" These wishes may involve going to a special place, meeting a celebrity, receiving a special gift, or being simply a policeman, a fireman, or a cowboy for a day. The number one wish request is to go to Disney World.
Local cowboy, Truman Ragan, addressed the PBR group and explained how
granting wishes to the children, "brought tears to your eyes and swelled your
heart with pride!"
To make your donation to Make A Wish Foundation, send your check or money order to Make A Wish Foundation, 215 Winchester Drive, Suite 109, Tyler, Texas 75701. Or, you can contact Holly Leiferman at (903)597-9474.
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