Bill Daubmann (Mr. Shower Door – Adopt A Wish sponsor) and Dan Rheinschmidt (TGI Friday’s – Corporate partner, Adopt a Wish sponsor) and Norm Wedderburn (Make-A-Wish foundation of Southern Florida President and CEO)

Volunteers, sponsors, wish granters and staff were on hand for the “Breakfast with the CEO” on Thursday, October 8, 2009. The breakfast meeting was an opportunity for volunteers and community leaders to meet and mingle, as well as hear an inspiring message from Norm Wedderburn, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida President and CEO.

Wedderburn’s message was one of hope and determination. He focused on the mission of the Foundation and the need for the community’s involvement. He was clear about the reason the Foundation grants wishes — it’s for the children.

Judith Yevick, West Coast Operations Manager for the Southern Florida chapter, also spoke about the wishes and the wish granters. She spoke of a recent child who had made a wish for a puppy.

“Some wishes are as small as a puppy but they bring such joy to a child that has a life-threatening medical condition,” said Yevick. “This child could have wished for anything but he wanted a puppy to love and hold. Wishes bring joy and hope no matter what the wish happens to be and once you are involved with granting a wish, experience that gift of hope — your life is changed forever.”

The take-away message from the event was involvement. Connie Martin, West Coast Senior Special EventsCoordinator for the Southern Florida chapter, said there are many ways to be involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She listed several: become a volunteer, be a wish granter, be a sponsor for an event, host anevent, talk about the Foundation with your friends and colleagues, invite a member of the Make-A-WishSpeakers Bureau to make a presentation to your company or organization/club, make a donation or Adopt a Wish®.

“There are so many ways to get involved; the important thing is that you get involved. The smile on a child’s face is so worth your time and effort,” said Martin.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is now seeking the community’s involvement. To volunteer, join the Speaker’s Bureau or help with fundraising, please call 239-992-9474.

ABOUT THE MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION

The Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Southern Florida grants wishes to children 2 ½ to 18 years old with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Twenty-five years of magic and more than 7,000 wishes later, the Foundation continues its mission to share the power of a wish® with ailing children. For more information or to find out how you can help call 239-992-9474 or visit www.sfla.wish.org.