Page 107 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2019

GivingBACK life changing
“Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses”
story and photos courtesy of Make-A-Wish
A wish come true helps children feel stronger, more energetic, more willing and able to battle their critical illnesses. For many, the wish marks a turning point in the fight against their illnesses. Doctors, nurses and other health professionals say, the wish experience works in concert with medicine to make their patients feel better emotionally and even physically. That is why wishes matter. And that is why Make-A-Wish Mississippi has been granting wishes to our local wish kids since 1984, and will celebrate its 35th Anniversary in 2020.
Make-A-Wish granted 95 wishes to local children in 2019.
During fiscal year 2019, Make- A-Wish Mississippi granted
95 wishes that inspired hope, strength and joy. While your support helped grant these
wishes, there are still so many children that haven’t yet been reached. Less than half of
eligible Mississippi children
have a wish granted each year
and the goal of the Mississippi Chapter is to grant the wish of every eligible child between theagesof21⁄2-18yearsofage who have been diagnosed with
a critical illness, (a progressive, degenerative or malignant condition) that is placing the child’s life in jeopardy.
“As the holidays approach and 2019 draws to a close, we want
to thank all you for your support
of Make-A-Wish Mississippi. You are the reason wishes are granted and lives are changed. For a child whose youth has been stolen by a critical illness, a wish allows them to be a carefree kid again. You make their dreams become a reality. You give them hope, strength, and joy,” said Shellie Marengo Moses, South Mississippi director.
“A special thank you to Martin Goldin and Florence Gardens who
provide our wish kids and their families with the opportunity to experience participating in Mardi Gras on an annual basis,” Moses said. “Look for the Make-A-Wish Float and our enthusiastic kids this upcoming Mardi Gras season and at the Sugarplum Parade in Gulfport.”
Wishes are waiting and they
need your help. Consider one of
the following ways to partner
with Make-A-Wish Mississippi
and be a game changer: one time gift, monthly donor, donation of frequent flyer miles, workplace giving, Kids for Wish Kids, planned giving, Adopt-A-Wish, volunteer or become a sponsor.
World Wish Day
April 29, 2020
16th Annual Martini Shakedown
July 11, 2020
Ricky Peden Make-A-Wish Golf Tournament – September 2020
Make-A-Wish | 228.575.8691 | smoses@ms.wish.org. | www.ms.wish.org
A PROUD SUPPORTER OF
Call 228.575.7500 to sponsor a child
www. orencegardens.com
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net December 2019 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 107